Road Test: 2013 BMW X1 xDrive35i

Story and photos by John LeBlanc Despite questionable styling, a less-than-premium interior and minimal utility, the BMW X1 has become one of the German brand’s best sellers in Canada. And although it’s one of BMW’s less-established models, last year, the compact crossover trailed only the iconic 3 Series and popular X3 crossover in overall sales. […]

FROM THE FLEET: 2012 BMW X1 xDrive28i

FROM THE FLEET are brief synopses of manufacturer-supplied rides that happen to end up in my laneway – John LeBlanc Bimmer fans close your eyes: Here’s yet another BMW that goes out of its way to NOT be a BMW. If you’re familiar with the German automaker’s rigidly hierarchical naming system, you may reckon that […]

2011 Montréal: Top 10 Must Sees

[svgallery name=”2011_BMW_X1_2″] By John LeBlanc While the North American International Auto Show received all the attention last week in Detroit, more relevant to Canadian new car buyers is the 43rd Montréal International Auto Show. First on the Canadian auto show calendar, automakers use the Québec show to prep for the spring selling season. Amidst the […]

First Drive: 2011 BMW X1 xDrive28i

[svgallery name=”2011_BMW_X1_2″] Story and photos by John LeBlanc MUNICH – The reasons were piling up almost as high as the nearby Alps to loathe the X1, BMW’s newest compact utility vehicle. First, BMW already has a pair of small five-doors on sale. There’s the fine-driving 3-series Touring sports wagon. Its taut handling, silky straight-six engine, […]