BMW has let M Division loose on its X1 SUV and this is the result

We know what you’ve been sitting there thinking – “the BMW X1 is a fine small family crossover and all, but what it really needs is a performance version”. Someone in Munich is right on your wavelength because that’s only what the German carmaker has just revealed – the X1 M35i xDrive.

There are a number of modifications over the standard X1, but the party piece is the 2.0-litre twin turbo four-cylinder petrol engine that’s been kitted out with a crankshaft drive BMW describes as “extremely robust” and an M-specific quad pipe exhaust that produces a note the firm says is “emotionally rich”. Cheaper than anything Hans Zimmer has come up with for them, at any rate.

The car’s 296bhp and 295lb ft of torque mean that the M35i’s 5.3-second 0–62mph time just sneaks it 0.3secs past the previous fastest model in the range, the electric iX1 – phew, that could have been embarrassing. It can’t quite compete on economy or emissions, but 33.2mpg and 192g/km aren’t a disaster, unless you’re comparing the two cars for a company ride.

There’s also a seven-speed automatic transmission, all-wheel drive, a mechanical limited-slip differential and adaptive M suspension that drops the car 15mm lower than its siblings. The car comes on 19in twin-spoke alloys as standard, but these can be upgraded to 20in numbers on sport tyres if you’re a masochist.

Inside, there’s a spattering of Alcantara, an M steering wheel in leather that comes with a splash of red at 12 o’clock, M steering wheel paddles for changing gear and optional M Sport seats that have a little backlit M logo below the headrest for added class.

As an extra special treat, BMW says the new go-faster X1 is among the first models to feature the new BMW iDrive with QuickSelect and BMW Operating System 9 on the firm’s new 10.25in curved display. We say treat, we’re not actually big fans of BMW’s latest interior tech, but hopefully this car will drive amusingly enough to distract you from needing any of the basic functions like air or warmth.

The X1 M35i xDrive will be built alongside the other X1s in Germany, and deliveries begin in November 2023 – just in time for Christmas, if you’re already stuck for present ideas. The UK price hasn’t been announced yet, but expect it to be somewhere in the region of expensive.