Rod Parkzin: BMW is serious about mini SUV under the X1

BMW is getting serious about bringing to market a small SUV to sit below the new X1. Dubbed BMW Xcite or 1 Series Sport Cross or Urban Cross (the final name has yet to be decided, but the X0 is being ruled out), the small SUV is rumored to be built atop the 2 Series Active Tourer platform and to sell for around 25,000 Euros.

The new SUV will also compete against the SUV variants of the subsidiary MINI and against the planned Audi Q1, coming in 2016, one year before the BMW model.

The new city SUV is optically smaller X1 and clearly distinct from the X models. The design could feature a compact greenhouse on top of a muscular body; a wide stance; a long nose, long roof, and wide track; and an edgy mix of M Sport and X-line styling elements. The of use space and good visibility are the main requirements when building this new SUV. The trunk volume is said to be at the level of a MINI Paceman – 330 liters.

BMW Urban Cross shares its front-wheel drive architecture with the new MINI and it will include the known three- and four-cylinder engines. An electric version is said to not be in the plan, but a hybrid version might follow at a later stage.

BMW also aims to compete in this quirky segment with the Citroën C4 Cactus and the Nissan Juke.