BMW X1

First Drive Review – 2020 BMW X1 xDrive28i – By Carl Malek

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The 2020 BMW X1 has often been a model that has largely preferred to lurk behind the scenes. While the bigger X3, X5, and even the X7 hog the bulk of the spotlight, the X1 has performed its duties as a entry level model without as much as a whimper. But BMW is always eager to shake things up to try and keep their models fresh in the rapidly evolving SUV/CUV sales race, and the 2020 X1 is no exception. BMW has made some subtle but noticeable updates to the tiniest member of the X family for 2020. But do …

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2018 INFINITI QX30 Sport – Road Test Review w/ Performance Drive Video!

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 We start the drive video review asking a serious question: does this Euro Infiniti QX30 belong in the USA? This baby Infiniti has two variants on sale in America: the crossover-ish QX30 and QX30 AWD.  Then there is the wild cousin: the QX30 Sport.  Lowered ride height.  Performance mods and gloss black finishes galore.  Stance to make the most of the double-clutch automatic and turbo motor from Mercedes-Benz. Premium compact five-doors are big business on the continent.  Instead of trading up to a sedan after the Golf/Focus class, owners will shell out big cash to get into the A3, 1 …

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2016 BMW X1 Grows Up Tall With All-New Platform and X7-Previewing Design

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Grew up tall and grew up right! The new BMW X1 is here and is a massive advancement in the BMW SUV portfolio. Not only is the car improved throughout, the design is a fresh and forward-looking take on what the upcoming X7 and 750 will look like. This is the latest BMW nose and kidney style, as seen recently on the CSL Hommage and the Vision Future Luxury. Larger, more vertical and more square kidneys is the latest look. And to be honest, the design is a fantastic fit for the baby X1. This incredibly tossable and rapid BMW …

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PART TWO: 2016 Audi S Q3 Rendering – Future 4.9-second Sport Compact Crossover

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 2016 Audi S Q3 PART TWO… Mercedes-Benz seems relatively confident with the GLA45 AMG as the one engine upgrade to the GLA250 series, and the GLA45 AMG will make its way well past $55,000 with a few options packages. So what is the Audi of America counter-strategy? Not the full-blown RS Q3, but a car with nearly all the affordable performance and speed enhancements, but with the S Q3 label instead. This is a great alternative. Simply boosting the power levels of the turbocharged 2.0-liter engine in the top Q3 and adding standard quattro AWD will work wonders for the …

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Track Test Review Video – 2013 BMW X1 sDrive28i M Sport + 77 Action Photos

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While I am on the naughty list in general – I cannot help but share this amazing video. Previously unpublished due to stern language – read too late – on the press car loan. As many readers will know, the videos of me so far are only “okay.”  They desperately need editing and better production values — but I am only one man. My best video so far was from the 2013 BMW X1 sDrive28i M Sport loaner from July 2013. I was in such a panic after spending perhaps 100 hours editing this video. Videos are hard to shoot, …

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2014 Renault Captur Helly Hansen Edition – Authentic Brand Equity First, Outdoor Fashion Statement Second

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Like most Americans, my coverage of (and interest in) Renault is decidedly spotty. I flit in and out during their press briefings, reading and becoming interested in perhaps one and three that cross this desk. But to see the production Captur Helly Hansen was too much to dismiss! Why? I love Helly Hansen!  It is an awesome brand of outdoor apparel – in America wearing prices 2X the comparable North Face and 3X the Columbia sportswear it competes with in the mass market. As such, it is a bit of a sweet-tooth fashion element for fancy people tired of the …

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2014 MINI Paceman Cooper S – Built-out and Recommended Options for Loaded $34k Price

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2014 MINI Paceman Cooper S Options The MINI Paceman might seem a little unnecessary, but it is a unique choice that is a must-have fashion statement for some. For my personal preference of rear-drive, or rear-drive-based AWD cars, the BMW X1 would be my pick over the Paceman any day of the week. But the appeal of the Paceman is pretty real for its extra ride height over the very low-slung MINI hardtop. The style and image is what sets the BMW and MINI apart for most buyers. But both share one critical issue to be wary of: the ability …

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VIDEO — Andy Stella’s Top 5 Cars to Street Park in Chicago, Year-round! Wrangler, MINI… Jaguar XJ?

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By Special Contributor Andy Stella Spring is almost here in Chicago, and you know what that means: people forget that they just spent six months acting surprised every time it snowed. With snow comes decreased street width, huge banks plowed against our cars, and mounds of Honda Fit-sized snow piles taking up precious parking space. Once the snow clears, we must not forget to let some practicality guide our summer car shopping! What is my experience, you ask? Well, before I lived in Chicago, I endured even colder, snowier winters in Minnesota while attending college, and before that, I was …

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With Deepest Apologies to BMW – My Best Day Ever – 2013 X1 M Sport Video + 77 Action Photos

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While I am on the naughty list in general – I cannot help but share this amazing video. Previously unpublished due to stern language – read too late – on the pressie loan. As many readers will know, the videos of me so far are only “okay.”  They desperately need editing and better production values — but I am only one man. My best video so far was from the 2013 BMW X1 sDrive28i M Sport loaner from July 2013. I was in such a panic after spending perhaps 100 hours editing this video. Videos are hard to shoot, let …

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BMW X1 sDrive28i M Sport – Alpine White in 60 High-Res Photos

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This summer’s 2013 BMW X1 sDrive28i press loaner still makes me smile when looking at the photos. As my first week-long loan from BMW, the pressure was on to a) write a brilliant review and b) not hurt the car in any way! here’s a debrief: — Went to my local track, Blackhawk Farms Raceway in Rockford, IL — took some great videos, I thought, of car on track. Spent so long editing, but … — did not read terms of sign – track big no no.  sad face days later while prepping article/review. The X1 is a hilarious riot …

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2013 GLK350 4MATIC

GLK250 Diesel Joins GLK350 from $37,000 – Buyers Guide to AMG Sport trims

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The Mercedes-Benz GLK350 is a cool little truck. The really great thing about this package versus other crossovers is how agile and fun it is to toss around. The low proportions and general handling excellence really shame the Acura RDX and even the Range Rover Evoque. The GLK makes no apologies for its macho lines, and really looks exclusive on city streets. The GLK is rear-drive as standard, making this one of the most balanced in its segment for fast drivers. That segment is growing fast, with the GLA250 also joining the U.S. price books for 2014, and the BMW …

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Road Test Review – 2014 BMW X1 sDrive28i M Sport – Alpine White

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This summer’s 2013 BMW X1 sDrive28i press loaner still makes me smile when looking at the photos. As my first week-long loan from BMW, the pressure was on to a) write a brilliant review and b) not hurt the car in any way! The X1 is a hilarious riot to drive in 28i sDrive configuration, which denotes rear-wheel-drive versus the optional xDrive. The turbo-charged engine is zingy and potent, with a broad and low torque plateau and the exceptional ZF eight-speed automatic handling changes. The test car included EcoPro mode and automatic stop/start for stoplights and traffic. EcoPro mode really …

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