There is still a couple of years until the BMW X1 will hit showrooms, but latest news coming from the Bavarian manufacturer shows plans are well and truly in action for the production of the vehicle. A report by Automotive News Europe reveals that BMW has confirmed the Leipzig plant in Germany will be used to produce the X1 after they announced a planned investment of €100 million for the facility.
The 3 Series lower-premium sedan along with the 3 door, cabriolet and coupe variants of the 1-series are already produced at the plant which currently outputs up to 700 vehicles per day – representing 1/8th of BMW's total production. The new investment will be primarily used for a new stamping line with the first vehicles expected to pass through in 2009.
The 1-series based X1 will share its platform with the upcoming Mini SUV and is likely to inherit the 1 series engine range including the award winning 306hp 3.0-liter twin-turbo engine from the 135i. The jury is still out on possible pricing, but sources state it could be in the region of €32,000.
