BMW India will launch the long-wheelbase X1 on Friday, 21 August 2026. It's the petrol version of the iX1 LWB that already sells well here. The big deal? Extra rear legroom and a stronger 204 bhp turbo-petrol in a spot of the market no rival occupies.
BMW X1 LWB price: how much over the standard X1's ₹50.9 lakh?
The standard BMW X1 sells from ₹50.9 lakh to ₹52.9 lakh (ex-showroom). The LWB will cost more, mainly because it gets a bigger, more powerful engine. BMW hasn't confirmed the price yet. But given the jump in power and cabin space, expect a clear premium over the ₹52.9 lakh diesel. The on-road price will be higher still once you add road tax, registration, and insurance, which vary by state.
Engine: 204 bhp 2.0L turbo-petrol, up 68 bhp over the standard X1
Here's the surprise. The India-spec standard X1 uses a 1.5L three-cylinder petrol (134 bhp) or a 2.0L diesel (148 bhp). The LWB, going by the China-spec car, gets neither. Instead, it packs a 2.0L four-cylinder turbo-petrol making 204 bhp and 300 Nm of torque (pulling power). That's 68 bhp and 70 Nm more than the base sDrive18i petrol. It comes in sDrive25Li (front-wheel drive) and xDrive25Li (all-wheel drive) forms, both with a 7-speed DCT (a fast dual-clutch automatic gearbox). 0–100 km/h (how fast it reaches highway speed) takes 7.9s in FWD and 7.7s in AWD. One open question: whether India gets a diesel LWB at all. The standard X1 diesel stays on sale, but the LWB looks petrol-only for now.
X1
SUVRear legroom and boot: what the 110mm stretch buys you
The X1 LWB measures 4,616mm long with a 2,802mm wheelbase. That's 116mm longer overall and 110mm more between the wheels than the standard X1. Almost all of that goes to the back seat. You get a big jump in rear legroom, a 27 mm higher seat, and 37 mm wider headrest cushions, so tall adults sit more comfortably on a long drive to Lonavala. The boot grows too, to 540 liters against the standard X1's 476 liters. That's enough for a family of five's weekend bags. This is the whole point of the car: it's built for the person sitting behind.
Features: what carries over from the iX1 and standard X1
Styling stays the same as the standard X1, with LED headlamps, the large kidney grilles, and a low crossover look. Inside, expect the familiar layout: a 10.7-inch touchscreen, a 10.25-inch digital driver's display, wireless charging, powered front seats, a powered tailgate, a digital key, a Harman Kardon sound system, and connected car tech. It also gets auto park assist and BMW's driving assistant features (ADAS, safety tech that can brake and steer for you). India-spec wheels may drop to 18-inchers, like the standard X1 and iX1 LWB, for a softer ride over our bad roads.
BMW X1 LWB vs Audi Q3 and Mercedes GLA: a segment of one
This is where the X1 LWB stands alone. The Audi Q3 (₹43.67–53 lakh) rides on a 2,680mm wheelbase, about 122mm shorter than the X1 LWB. The Mercedes-Benz GLA (₹51.8–55 lakh) is similar. Neither offers a stretched, extra-legroom version at any price. So if rear-seat space is your priority in an entry-luxury SUV, the X1 LWB has no direct rival right now. BMW isn't beating rivals here so much as creating a new niche.
Should you buy the X1 LWB or the standard X1 diesel?
If you're chauffeur-driven or you value back-seat comfort, the LWB makes real sense. The extra legroom, higher bench, and 540 L boot are genuine gains, and the 204 bhp petrol is a strong step up. But if you drive yourself and prefer diesel's frugal running, the standard X1 sDrive18d (₹52.9 lakh, 148 bhp, 20.37 kmpl ARAI) still fits the bill and likely costs less. The honest niggle: the LWB looks petrol-only for now, so diesel loyalists may want to wait. Rear-seat buyers who want something no rival offers should book it.
References: BMW India — official website
