X1 for the road

X1. Such an Arctic-cool designation. Now, BMW think they have something worthy of that futuristic tag. Here, ladies and gentlemen, is the BMW X1. BMW’s latest soft-roader has plenty to live up to and it sure does look like it just might.   After a few initial spy shots spread across the web, BMW let loose a barrage of images on their website, showing the X1 in every possible profile and then some more. Looking through the exhaustive gallery, you can make out the familiar BMW X-family lines. It does score on the looks front, save for one or two odd design features here and there. Like the tail-lamp treatment and the sudden dashes of flamboyance, for instance.     According to BMW, it will be available both in two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive versions and they promise a variety of engines, both petrol and diesel, on offer. The X1 will be launched in Europe later this year, with its unveiling at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The single petrol and the three diesel engines will be coupled with BMW’s EfficientDynamics system.   BMW claims this new premium compact segment entry will be fuel-efficient, less-polluting and at the same time, offer pretty good performance, thanks to EfficientDynamics. We’ve heard that one before, so we can’t wait to get behind the wheel and see if it’s true. Europe wants smaller SUVs, but what about us in India? Are we ready for the X1 then?