These pictures show BMW’s new X1 testing on the streets of Munich ahead of its launch in around 18 months.

Our pictures clearly show that despite the raised ride height, the car will be low –¬ it’s barely taller than the Mercedes E-class next to it. Without the cladding the apparent bulk will be reduced further, making the X1 more like a 1-series estate than a downsized X3.

That means a hatchback rear, potentially with an opening glass section like the 3-series Touring, and a wide lower tailgate.

The interior appears to be standard issue BMW, with the current steering wheel and switchgear, but adds two new large vents to the middle of the dash.

Underneath it uses a modified version of the 1-series’ platform with BMW’s X-Drive four-wheel drive transmission.
Like all of BMW’s future 4x4s, it will also get the new DPC torque vectoring system, which can direct up to 80 per cent of the engine’s torque to whichever individual wheel has the most grip.