Overview
- BMW has opened bookings for the X1 long‑wheelbase (LWB) variant and has set a market launch for 21 August, positioning the car as a new entry in the brand’s India lineup.
- The X1 LWB stretches the standard car by 116 mm overall and adds 108 mm to the wheelbase to create substantially more rear legroom and kneeroom for passengers.
- The sDrive18Li uses BMW’s B38 1.5‑litre three‑cylinder turbo petrol tuned to 156 bhp with 230 Nm sent to the front wheels through a seven‑speed dual‑clutch transmission, and it will be offered only as a petrol model.
- Reviewers say the cabin delivers a premium, tech‑forward experience with a curved widescreen display, Harman Kardon audio and a panoramic roof while also noting lower‑grade plastics in the lower trim and the absence of some rear comfort extras such as window blinds.
- First drives find the LWB delivers effortless, refined acceleration and clearly improved rear comfort at the cost of slightly firmer responses on sharp bumps and more bodyroll than the standard X1, a trade‑off that supports BMW’s wider India strategy where LWB models account for roughly half of recent sales and will soon face refreshed Audi Q3 and Mercedes‑Benz GLA rivals.