BMW denies the creation of an SUV below the X1

The German magazine auto motor und sport reports this month that BMW has among its plans the launch of an SUV positioned below the X1. This information has been denied by the head of product and commercial planning at the brand’s Australian subsidiary, Shawn Ticehurst, during the presentation of the new X5 M and X6 M for that region.

Ticehurst has denied that such plans exist within the Bavarian brand, arguing that such a model would invade a segment that BMW already occupies with MINI. Although the styles of both manufacturers are different, the German company does not consider this a sufficient justification to duplicate its offering in that area. The expansion of the BMW SUV range will occur only at the same level as or above the X1.

Although it has not yet received official approval, the BMW Australia executive in fact suggested that the vehicle being considered is a variant of the next generation of the X1 with a coupé-style body. Automotive News already spoke about this SUV in August 2014, when it indicated that it would reach the market this summer.

The date, logically, will not be met, since BMW still has to present the new generation of the X1 and, as Ticehurst mentioned, this supposed “X2” remains in limbo among the projects pending approval by BMW. The conversation with Motoring.com.au also clarified other parts of the German manufacturer’s medium-term calendar.

The arrival of the new X3 is expected to suffer another delay, as in the case of the X1. It was initially planned for the last months of 2016, but the current outlook held by BMW targets 2018. The one that will not reach European shores is the three-box 1 Series, whose test units were recently spotted by spy photographers. This body style, according to Ticehurst, will be reserved for China. It will therefore not be a global rival to the Audi A3 Sedan and Mercedes-Benz CLA.

Source | Motoring.com.au