The X1 will be slotted below the X3, sometime between end-2010 and 2011. The new X3 (code-named F25) will also be released about the same time. The compact premium SUV (or as BMW calls it - SAVs) market will be be hotly contested in the coming years as high fuel prices and increasingly tough EU environmental regulations have put a dent on the appeal of large SUVs. European Union legislators have already set that all carmakers must comply to an average fleet-wide CO2 emission of no more than 130g/km by 2012. The situation is serious enough for BMW to cancel its X7 program early this year. Though there are certain markets like Middle East and Russia that have yet to show any wavering in its appetite for fuel guzzlers, they are more of a niche market that only the more "bling" brands like Hummer (GM is in talks to sell the Hummer brand to a group of Arab investors) and Porsche's Cayenne can capitalize. Other manufacturers are also abandoning their large SUV plans to move lower down market. Besides BMW, also eyeing on the compact premium SUV market are Audi with its Q3, Land Rover's upcoming LRX, and Mercedes's B-class based SUV (dubbed by some as BLK). Also, BMW's subsidiary; Mini will also be releasing its Mini Crossover to target at the more fashionable crowd.
SUV only specialists like Land Rover and the Chinese SAIC owned Korean Ssangyong are in an exceptionally difficult situation with the current on-going fuel price and environmental concerns. Land Rover hinted on the state of things to come when it unveiled the 3-door LRX Concept. No sign of a concept model replacement for Discovery or Range Rover have been unveiled to date. Ssangyong too came up with a car-like monocoque chassis C200 Concept.
Land Rover LRX Concept
Ssangyong C200 ConceptIn similar objective as the X6, expect a "coupe-like" silhoutte version of the X1 to be spawned, probably be named X2. The same goes to X4, which will be based on the X3. BMW's naming convention have so far reserved even numbers for its sportier models - Z8, Z4, X6, 6-series. M-cars are an exception as they are based on regular saloon models. Expect the X1 and X4 models to be pitted against the Landie's LRX.The X1 project is internally known as E84. I am curious as to why BMW is still retaining its "Entwicklung" (German for development or evolution) designation for the X1 project. My understanding is that since 2006 BMW will switch to a new project naming convention; F (for Future) while replacethe E currently used. The new 7-series was named F01, while the next 5-series is named F10.