Now it's time for the US-spec, revised-for-2012 BMW X1 to take centre stage, as it makes its official US debut today at the New York Auto Show.
It'll go on sale in the US in the third quarter of 2012, with a choice of two turbopetrol engines, at least one of which will be coming to South Africa when the 2012 X1 is released here in September.
Americans will be able to choose between the 180kW, two-litre 28i and 225kW, three-litre 35i straight-six TwinPower direct-injection engines, each with Valvetronic variable valve lift and Double-Vanos variable cam control.
EfficientDynamics 'green' features include idle stop (on the 28i only) brake energy regeneration, electric power steering, on-demand ancillary units and low rolling-resistance tyres.
The rear-wheel drive sDrive28i and all-wheel drive xDrive35i will be exclusive to the US market, while the all-wheel drive xDrive28i and xDrive20i, along with at least one diesel derivative, will form the basis of the South African line-up, which is still to be finalised.
STYLE MAKEOVER
The most striking change from the front is to the headlights, with a new layout and a chromed accent strip across the top of the twin circular projectors. An LED accent t light is included as part of the optional xenon light package, as are LED light rings for the daytime driving lights.
The rear bumper has also been revised, with slimmer black plastic elements, and a more prominent silver-coloured underguard.
The side of the centre console angled towards the driver is now shallower, to emphasise the 'cockpit' layout, and the interior trim has been blinged-up a little with high-gloss black air-vent surrounds, electroplated surrounds for the gearshift lever and centre console cup-holder, a chrome strip for the headlight switch and chrome touches for the side edging of the control display, on models fitted with the optional navigation system.