There Was Only One Thing We Didn't Like About The 2017 BMW X1

It was nearly perfect otherwise.

It’s been quite interesting to see how crossovers, both luxury and mainstream, have rapidly taken over the automotive sales landscape over the past few years. Crossovers are now more popular than sedans and families have been ditching minivans in favor of something that looks like an SUV but really isn’t. Speaking of which, when BMW launched the second generation X1 in 2015, it came with one major change compared to its predecessor: standard front-wheel-drive, which is kind of a shame.

The first generation X1 was built on a rear-wheel-drive platform, just like the larger X3 and X5, which still are today. However, BMW is in the process of moving some of its models to a new FWD unit shared with several new Minis.

The second generation X1 is one of them. Our recent time at the wheel of a 2017 X1 taught us two things: we miss standard RWD, and the new model is better than the original. We’ll explain. Not only is the X1 larger inside and out with an impressively spacious rear seat, it’s also a more refined and upscale vehicle overall. Our tester was equipped with the $2,000 xDrive AWD system, thus giving it at least a shred of off-road capability. In addition, exterior and interior styling is classier with a higher attention to detail. Bottom line: BMW did its homework and the public has spoken: "Yes to FWD fake SUVs." Special thanks to Niello BMW-Sacramento for letting us film the car.

BMW Didn't Want The New 3 Series To Look Like A Smaller 5 Series

The company learned its lesson in the last generation.

One of the biggest complaints with modern luxury sedan design is that a brand can end up having several models that all look similar, creating a Russian doll effect. Since automakers typically stick with a corporate front fascia, it can sometimes be difficult to make one sedan distinctive from the rest. Take the previous generation BMW F30 3 Series and F10 5 Series for example. Many people criticized the 3 Series for looking like a smaller 5 Series, which in turn looked like a smaller 7 Series. With the reveal of the all-new G20 3 Series, BMW designers wanted to make sure no one would mistake it for the larger 5 Series.

Speaking to Australian outlet, Motoring, 3 Series product manager Stephan Horn said “There was some criticism in the past generations, looking for example from the rear at the 3 Series and 5 Series. They looked quite similar so we said this car had to look completely different from every angle compared to the predecessor and the 5 Series. It has to be recognizable as a 3 Series Sports sedan.”

Horn explained that having the two cars look so similar in the previous generation was a mistake. “Sure, we do market research and some of the 3 Series buyers, they were flattered a little bit, because people were thinking they were driving the 5 Series. Some of the 5 Series drivers were not so flattered, but we just want to keep each model as independent as possible.”

After seeing the new 3 Series in person, we agree that it looks a lot less like the current G30 5 Series. The 3 Series has distinctive design elements including a one-piece kidney grille, indents in the headlights, and sharp panel creases. In fact, we think the taillights look more like the Lexus IS than the 5 Series.

“I think in the last generation the criticism of 3 and 5 Series was right,” Horn added. “But we believe in this generation we won’t have this discussion. The whole design language is totally different to the 5 Series.”

We like the styling of the new 3 Series and we do agree that it doesn't just look like a smaller 5 Series. Let us know in the comments if you think BMW has done enough to differentiate the new 3 Series from the larger 5 Series.

BMW Didn't Want The New 3 Series To Look Like A Smaller 5 Series

The company learned its lesson in the last generation.

One of the biggest complaints with modern luxury sedan design is that a brand can end up having several models that all look similar, creating a Russian doll effect. Since automakers typically stick with a corporate front fascia, it can sometimes be difficult to make one sedan distinctive from the rest. Take the previous generation BMW F30 3 Series and F10 5 Series for example. Many people criticized the 3 Series for looking like a smaller 5 Series, which in turn looked like a smaller 7 Series. With the reveal of the all-new G20 3 Series, BMW designers wanted to make sure no one would mistake it for the larger 5 Series.

Speaking to Australian outlet, Motoring, 3 Series product manager Stephan Horn said “There was some criticism in the past generations, looking for example from the rear at the 3 Series and 5 Series. They looked quite similar so we said this car had to look completely different from every angle compared to the predecessor and the 5 Series. It has to be recognizable as a 3 Series Sports sedan.”

Horn explained that having the two cars look so similar in the previous generation was a mistake. “Sure, we do market research and some of the 3 Series buyers, they were flattered a little bit, because people were thinking they were driving the 5 Series. Some of the 5 Series drivers were not so flattered, but we just want to keep each model as independent as possible.”

After seeing the new 3 Series in person, we agree that it looks a lot less like the current G30 5 Series. The 3 Series has distinctive design elements including a one-piece kidney grille, indents in the headlights, and sharp panel creases. In fact, we think the taillights look more like the Lexus IS than the 5 Series.

“I think in the last generation the criticism of 3 and 5 Series was right,” Horn added. “But we believe in this generation we won’t have this discussion. The whole design language is totally different to the 5 Series.”

We like the styling of the new 3 Series and we do agree that it doesn't just look like a smaller 5 Series. Let us know in the comments if you think BMW has done enough to differentiate the new 3 Series from the larger 5 Series.

So This Is Why The BMW X7 Concept Didn't Make It To Detroit

This is a bit embarrassing.

BMW didn’t have any major car reveals at this year’s Detroit Auto Show. Instead, the German automaker used the venue to showcase the X2 SUV and refreshed i8 Coupe and new Roadster, but its major attraction was conspicuously absent at the Bavarian automaker’s stand. According to Automotive News, the BMW X7 iPerformance Concept was supposed to make its Detroit Auto Show debut, but the six-seater SUV was damaged during its journey to the show on a delivery truck. So now we know why it wasn't displayed at the show.

The cause of the accident is unknown, as BMW told the publication that “the SUV was damaged while in transport to Detroit by truck”. BMW had to scrub out the “X” on the stand and put a standard 7-Series sedan in its place instead. This will no doubt be disappointing to many attendants who were eager to see the X7 Concept at the show. It previews BMW’s upcoming flagship X7 SUV, which will be the automaker’s largest, most luxurious and most expensive vehicle ever positioned above the X5 and X6. We’ve yet to see what the production X7 will look like, but the Concept’s futuristic design has had a mixed response, namely because of the overly large kidney grilles adorning its front fascia.

Pre-production models of the X7 have already rolled off the assembly line at BMW’s Spartanburg plant, while leaked documents suggest the xDrive50i model will pack a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 producing 455 hp, which is surprisingly powerful for a non-M powered BMW SUV. Power will be sent to all four wheels via BMW’s xDrive system. Being BMW’s new flagship, the X7 will also be generously equipped, with optional extras including a panoramic sunroof, five-zone automatic climate control system, rear-seat entertainment, night vision, a head-up display, and a Harman-Kardon sound system. Expect to see BMW’s upcoming Range Rover rival to arrive in showrooms sometime next year.