BMW X1 to hit US Shores in 2011

BMW announced plans this week to bring the X1, a new compact crossover, to the United States in 2011.

The vehicle, which resembles a smaller X5 or X3, duplicates the rear- or all-wheel-drive setup of its larger siblings. In Europe, the X1 will be available with a variety of powertrains, both gasoline and diesel. BMW will wait to decide whether or not we'll get a diesel X1 -- in all likelihood, we'll get the straight-six powered 2.8 liter gas version tuned to deliver 258 hp. With a luggage compartment that will hold 14.7 cubic feet, and up to 47.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the seats folded down, the X1 will open new ground for the premium subcompact crossover market.

Pricing won't be announced until much closer to the US launch, but with X5 starting in the upper 40s, X3 in the upper 30s, I would expect X1 to start in the lower 30s.

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