2024 BMW X1: BMW’s Small SUV Now Gets 312-HP M35i xDrive

Feeling left out is the natural state of little siblings, but the BMW X1 has been lacking an M Sport variant like that offered by the rest of the BMW SUV lineup — until now. For 2024, BMW’s littlest SUV gets a new X1 M35i xDrive variant that boasts the most powerful iteration of the brand’s modular four-cylinder engine anywhere in the brand’s lineup.

Related: 2023 BMW X1 Review: Tech-Focused Without the Fuss

More Power

The M35i’s turbocharged 2.0-liter four makes the same 295 pounds-feet of torque as the engine in the base xDrive28i, but it boasts an additional 71 horsepower for a total of 312 hp. BMW claims this most powerful X1 will hit 60 mph in 5.2 seconds — a full second quicker than its claim for the 28i — on its way to a 155 mph top speed. And it exhales through four exhaust tips just like a real M model (which BMW is quick to stress this mere M performance edition is not). Like the xDrive28i, the M35i is only available with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and all-wheel drive; unlike the 28i, the M Sport variant gets a mechanical limited-slip differential.

The M35i also sports an adjustable adaptive M suspension as standard equipment. A first for M performance models, the SUV offers M Compound brakes; up front, four-piston brake calipers squeeze 15.2-inch rotors, with single-piston calipers and 13-inch discs out back. Nineteen-inch wheels wearing all-season tires are standard, and three 20-inch designs with performance tires are optional.

Differentiating Itself From the Rest

Unless they notice the quad exhaust (or hear its snort), passersby will be hard-pressed to distinguish the 2024 M35i from a 2023 X1 wearing the M Sport body kit. The M35i has the same aggressive front with its trio of gaping air intakes, as well as the sportier rocker panels. On the M35i, the lower rear has been modified to accommodate four exhaust tips instead of the xDrive28i’s two, but otherwise, the rear view of the two vehicles is the same.

You can’t drop a french fry inside the M35i without hitting M ornamentation. The X1 M35i gets M-branded door sill plates and steering wheel as well as unique infotainment graphics and pedals. Otherwise, the standard interior is mostly a combination of options that were already available. Black simulated suede adorns the dash and seats — the latter with blue contrast stitching — with dark aluminum trim completing the focused look. The optional sport seats with synthetic leather and illuminated M logos are unique to the M35i, as is the latest version of BMW’s iDrive with Operating System 9. This new OS adds QuickSelect, which allows a quicker path to frequently used functions to the home screen.

The 2024 BMW X1 M35i xDrive will go on sale in October at a base price of $50,895 (including $995 destination charge).

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