2015 BMW X1: Second-generation model spied in Europe

The 2015 front-wheel-drive BMW X1 baby crossover will make its world premiere in the first half of next year, and here we have the latest round of spy images of the vehicle undergoing late-stage development. 

The latest round of images from CarAdvice’s European spies show the vehicle in lighter camouflage than before, with the headlights now at least partially visible. What is clear is that this second-generation car’s styling will be an example of evolution over the current car, not revolution.

What will be more intriguing is the stuff under the skin â€" most notably the lightweight transverse front- and all-wheel-drive UKL1 underpinnings pinched from the 2 Series Active Tourer and new Mini, plus the 1.5-litre three-cylinder and 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engines, and a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel. 

This means the new X1, known internally as the F48, will ditch the longitudinal layout of the current rear-drive or AWD car. Expect to see from 2016 a petrol-electric plug-in hybrid offering as well. 

Perhaps most exciting of all is the potential for an M-badged version, however. BMW’s M Division sales chief Jörg Bartels recently told CarAdvice such an offering was on the table as a rival to the Audi RSQ3 and Mercedes-Benz GLA45 AMG. 

Watch this space… 

Click the Photos tab above for more images of the 2015 BMW X1.