Little-known but well-respected BMW-tuner Hartge has done a surprisingly good job at styling up BMW‘s X1 and has even thrown some horsepower gains to the mix.

The X1 18d motor can receive a 36-hp boost (to 179-hp) with 258 ft-lbs of torque to play with. The xDrive20d will get a 32-hp boost with 306 ft-lbs of torque. And available for all X1 models is a new exhaust to improve the sporty sound of the smallest BMW crossover.

Now for the styling goods, Hartge offers a conservative 1.2-inch drop for the X1, which makes outfitting the SUV with a set of wheels that much more appealing. On this particular demo car, Hartge opted for their Classic 2 wheel in a 20×9/20×10 setup. The wheels are wrapped with 245/30/20 tires in the front and 295/25/20 tires in the rear with Hartge recommending rubber from Pirelli or Michelin.

And of course you can get your run-of-the-mill interior upgrades from steering wheel to pedals to hand-brake.

The only pricing they announced is $2,400 for the 20d power kit – but that U.S. pricing is pretty much irrelevant as you can be sure BMW won’t offer a diesel X1 when the car finally does go on sale here.

GALLERY: Hartge BMW X1

Official press release available after the break.

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There’s been some buzz brewing on Alfa Romeo’s return to the North American market with an SUV and convertible entry, with their SUV targeting the BMW X3 and Audi Q5 market. But this is probably the last thing we expected when we finally set eyes on an SUV with Alfa Romeo branding. Spotted at Alfa Romeo’s 100-year anniversary was an SUV sporting Kamal on the hood and BMW X1 styling… no wait, it’s just a BMW X1 rebadged. As for the Kamal letting, you may remember that that was the name given to an Alfa SUV concept, shown at the Geneva Auto Show a few years back.

So what exactly is going on? We’re not quite sure, but this is most definitely just a BMW X1 with some Alfa Romeo styling and design signatures tacked on. In fact if we didn’t know any better we would just think it was an uncreative Photoshop job.

The (now new) rumors are that Chrysler will be manufacturing Alfa Romeo’s smaller SUV and importing it into European markets starting in 2012. A larger SUV, based on the Jeep Liberty, is planned for 2014. So now we’re going to have to assume that we’ll be seeing rebadged Chrysler SUVs under the Alfa Romeo brand.

[Source: The Truth About Cars]

Gallery: Alfa Romeo Kamal SUV

BMW has just unveiled its smallest SUV, the X1, and now for the first time we know what model North America will get. AutoGuide was invited to test drive an X1 prototype several months back and while we were impressed, the 23d diesel model was not headed for our shores.

What we will get will be called the X1 xDrive 28i, which will be powered by a 2.8-liter straight-six engine making 258hp and 229 ft-lbs of torque. Power will be put to the ground through a standard six-speed automatic transmission with BMW xDrive AWD technology. Stability control will also be standard.

The X1 xDrive 28i will be able to hit 62 mph in 6.8 seconds and a top speed of 127 mph. The crossover will get an average rating of 25 mpg and fit up to 47.3 cubic feet of luggage, or 14.7 cubic feet behind the third row.

GALLERY: BMW X1

Read more on the BMW X1 after the jump

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BMW has done an excellent job at keeping its upcoming X1 crossover under wraps, until now. A large collection of photos showing two different X1 models has made its way onto the web and we have them all.

We recently had a chance to test a prototype version of the BMW X1 in Spain and we were impressed with its genuine car-like driving dynamics.

The X1 is based on the current 3 Series platform and will be offered with numerous engine choices in Europe. We drove the xDrive 23d model with 204hp and 295 ft-lbs of torque and lamented that it won’t be offered in North America. Instead we will get the standard 3.0-liter inline-six gasoline engine with 230hp and 200 ft-lbs of torque.

The X1 isn’t slated to go on sale until 2011 or at least 2012, but we should know more about the crossover at this Fall’s Frankfurt Auto Show.

As for the looks of the new crossover, we have to say we’re impressed, as it incorporates much of BMW’s new design philosophy and has a bold appearance thanks to a rather flat front end and large kidney grilles.

See our Review of the BMW X1 Prototype here:

BMW X1 Prototype Fist Drive

GALLERY: BMW X1

[Source: xBimmers]

Until now the only decent photos of the upcoming BMW X1 have been the imitation spy photos that BMW released. And those pics hardly showed the car, with plenty of camoflauge used to cover up the front and rear. Now, thanks to the folks at WorldCarFans we have some exceptional pics that show the entry-level luxury crossover with very little of the secretive body cladding.

We recently had a chance to test a prototype version of te BMW X1 in Spain and we were impressed with its genuine car-like driving dynamics.

The X1 is based on the current 3 Series platform and will be offered with numerous engine choices in Europe. We drove the xDrive 23d model with 204hp and 295 ft-lbs of torque and lamented that it won’t be offered in North America. Instead we will get the standard 3.0-liter inline-six gasoline engine with 230hp and 200 ft-lbs of torque. 

The X1 isn’t slated to go on sale until 2011 or at least 2012, but we should know more about the crossover at this Fall’s Frankfurt Auto Show.

See our Review of the BMW X1 Prototype here:

BMW X1 Prototype Fist Drive

GALLERY: BMW X1 Prototype

[Source: WorldCarFans]

[Photo Credit: CarPix]

According to a rather detailed post on BMW 1 Series forum 1addicts, BMW is aiming to significantly expand the future 1 Series lineup as a part of the company’s Efficient Dynamics approach.

Using a new versatile modular architecture, BMW will be able to build 12 and possibly even 13 different vehicles based on the new chassis, some of which will be coupes, sedans, roadsters and even SUVs.

The cars will be divided up into three sub-categories: Traditional, Lifestyle and Sporting. Under the Traditional segment will be a standard sedan model, a hatchback and a hybrid. Under the Lifestyle segment there will be a coupe, cabriolet and a performance or “supersports” model as well as a Z2 and Z2 coupe. Finally, the Sporting segment will include an X1, X2, Gran Turismo and Y1 model. Finally, there will be a light-weight and high-performance 135i model which is still not approved for production.

Currently the upcoming X1 is based on a 3 Series platform, but this would suggest a new platform would underpin the car. As for the Y1, it would be somewhat like a really small X6, with the soul of a Z sports car but the utility of an X SUV.

The news comes from a 1addicts forum member called SCOTT26, who according to his brief but content-rich forum history is either a prophet or a BMW insider.

BMW will turn the 1 Series into a leader for the company, just as the 3 Series is now. It will get technology first, starting with a hybrid powertrain, which will be offered for every 1 Series vehicle.

[Source: 1addicts]

BMW recently took the covers off what appears to be a production-ready version of the upcoming X1 compact crossover to make some promotional shots of the car. But the folks at BMW weren’t the only ones with a camera.

One of the members of forum-auto.com snapped this picture of the entry-level luxury crossover and it appears as though little has changed from the concept car, which was first shown at the Paris Auto Show in 2008. 

While no official details are known about the production model, the concept has a wheelbase of 104.4-inches and an overall length of 175.5-inches. This makes it only 4.3-inches shorter than the X3. 

As for engines, the 230hp 3.0-liter incline-six powerplant is most likely an option, as is a possible new turbocharged four-cylinder. In Europe a diesel motor will be offered as well.

The X1 is expected to debut at the Frankfrut Auto Show in September and go on sale the following year. The Audi Q3 will most likely also be unveiled in Frankfurt as the compact luxury SUV segment takes off.

[Source: WorldCarFans]