The X1 (as the name suggests) is the smallest of the X range, just 1.5 metres high and weighing in at only 1,615kg. BMW is marketing the X1 as an eco-friendly SUV; small size, low consumption but elevated driving position and improved safety.

The UK audience will have an all diesel line up of engines to choose from. The xDrive 23d is a four-wheel drive with 204bhp, capable of accelerating to 62mph in 7.3-seconds and topping out at 138mph.

Two more diesel engines are available in both four-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive. The xDrive 20d has 177bhp and gets to 62mph in 8.4 seconds on its way up to 128mph.  The 18d only has 143bhp, which means it takes 10.1 seconds to 62mph and stops accelerating at 122mph.

Styling is a bit mixed up; with the front end of a 7-series, the slouch of an X6 and a slightly more curvaceous rear than an X3 it seems as though the X1 is having a bit of an identity crisis. Oddly enough though, it looks all right.

The X1 is thought to be available in showrooms sometime in 2010.