2016 BMW X1 spy shots reveal dashboard and cabin layout
Fresh images of the upcoming BMW X1 show the new interior design, with the crossover’s switch to a front-wheel-drive platform also confirmed.
BMW’s next-generation X1 has been caught on camera again, this time with the interior partially exposed. The spy shots, taken during testing in 2015, offer the clearest look yet at the dashboard and cabin layout ahead of the model’s official unveiling.
The biggest technical change for the 2016 X1 is its switch to BMW’s UKL platform, which underpins the 2 Series Active Tourer. This means the standard X1 will be front-wheel drive for the first time, with xDrive all-wheel drive reserved for higher-spec models. The move aligns the X1 more closely with other compact BMWs and is expected to improve packaging and interior space.
Interior details from the spy shots
The new images show a dashboard design that borrows from the latest BMW family look, with a freestanding central display and a more horizontal layout. The centre console appears to be higher and more pronounced than in the outgoing X1, likely improving ergonomics for the driver. Materials and trim are still camouflaged, but the overall arrangement suggests a step up in quality and technology.
Rear seat space and boot capacity are expected to benefit from the new platform’s transverse engine layout, although the sloping roofline seen in previous images appears not to compromise rear headroom. Full technical specifications remain under wraps, but the engine range is likely to mirror other UKL-based BMWs, with three- and four-cylinder petrol and diesel units. A plug-in hybrid is also anticipated, though not at launch.
Platform and drivetrain changes
Switching to front-wheel drive marks a departure from the previous X1’s rear-drive origins. The UKL platform is already used in other BMW and MINI models, supporting both front- and all-wheel-drive configurations. For buyers, the change should mean more cabin space and potentially lower running costs, with all-wheel drive still available for those wanting more traction.
- Front-wheel drive standard on most 2016 X1 models
- xDrive all-wheel drive available as an option
- Expected engine range: 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol, 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel and petrol
- Plug-in hybrid variant likely to follow
BMW has not confirmed a precise launch date, but the new X1 is expected to be unveiled before the end of 2015. For a full gallery and further details as they become available, see2016 BMW X1 officially unveiled.
