BMW Reveals Updated X1 xDrive28i, New Turbo Four-Cylinder Engine Destined For Australia

Update: new engine destined for Australia. See below.

BMW has today announced its new four-cylinder X1 xDrive28i, powered by BMW's brand-new four-cylinder TwinPower turbocharged petrol engine, producing 180kW and 350Nm of torque.

While output is down 10kW on the outgoing 3.0 litre six-cylinder xDrive28i (not offered in Australia), the turbocharged 2011 model gains a good 40N, with max torque available from 1250rpm.

Modelled on the six-cylinder N54 petrol engine, the new engine features an all-aluminium crank case, direct injection and BMW's ValveTronic technology.

Internationally, the new engine will be paired with either a six-speed manual transmission or eight-speed automatic, with manual versions also benefiting from start-stop technology.

BMW claims a 0-100km/h time of just 6.1 seconds for the new xDrive28i in manual form, and 6.5 seconds for the automatic. Compared to the outgoing six-cylinder 3.0 litre xDrive28i, that's an improvement of 0.7 and 0.3 seconds respectively.

Fuel consumption is listed at 7.9 l/100km, significantly bettering the 9.3 l/100km of the range-topping X1 xDrive25i offered in Australia.

Australia

In Australia, the current X1 range is headlined by the xDrive25i, featuring a 3.0 litre in-line six producing 160kW and 277Nm of torque. Whether the xDrive28i will join the local line-up, however, remains to be seen. 

Speaking with TMR today, BMW Australia's Piers Scott confirmed a local debut for the new powertrain.

"This engine will come to Australia without doubt, however timing - and which model it will first appear in - is yet to be confirmed," Mr Scott said.

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