Rod Parkzin: Get XCited about the XCite

BMW is the reigning king of the niche, no doubt about it. When it comes to finding niche segments within the automotive market, BMW leaves no stone unturned. This isn’t really a new idea, BMW has been creating and molding car segments for decades. Even when segments already exist, if BMW enters it, it becomes BMW’s segment. For instance, one could argue that Alfa Romeo created the sport-sedan segment, but after the 2002 came out, BMW was known for creating that segment. BMW may be entering a new segment with the BMW XCite.

Primed and ready to take on cars such as the hilarious, European-only, Citroen C4 Cactus, the XCite will be a very small, sporty hatchback/crossover. Needless to say, this is pretty exciting news (Thank you, I’ll be here all week, be sure to tip your waitresses).

The XCite could be the small, sporty, hatchback BMW we’ve always wanted but could never get. Car enthusiasts across America have been begging BMW for the M135i hatchback, but to no avail. The XCite could very well cure our fever.

The XCite is rumored to be based on the UKL front-wheel drive based platform that underpins the upcoming X1. This is good news, indeed, as the new X1 should be a compact and sporty thing. Forget the fact that it will be FWD based, as xDrive will be offered and realistically be the only version you find on dealer lots. It’s hard enough to find a RWD BMW on dealer lots at the moment, as all Americans buy into the AWD hype like teenage girls buy into Justin Bieber. But with xDrives ability to send most of, if not all, of the power to the rear wheels, an xDrive XCite will be pretty fun to drive.

Powered by either BMW’s three or four-cylinder, turbocharged engines, the XCite should be plenty quick enough. Look for the four-cylinder version, however. If the 2.0 liter turbo four can motivate the 3 Series to hit 60 mph in under 6 seconds, then the XCite should be a little pocket rocket. Most likely it will also be available with a 6-Speed manual (which in a car like the XCite would be amazing) or an 8-Speed, ZF automatic. Turbo four-cylinder, front or all-wheel drive, manual gearbox and a BMW badge on the hood, is this the BMW hot hatch we’ve been praying for? I think so.

Get excited for the XCite. Pun intended.

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