A reiteration of the 2002 1-Litre prototype, Volkswagen's L1 concept retains the same 3.8m long, 1.2m wide tandem layout as its predecessor. Exterior designer Maximillian Missoni says the project is still very much driven by engineering, so a pure aesthetic inspired by aeronautics reflects the integrity of this ultra-lightweight vehicle.

A thin front grille and headlights sit behind a transparent plastic panel, creating a visual contrast with the 2002 car. Bulbous headlights have been replaced by LED units, creating a graphic that adds visual width at the front of the car and is reminiscent of the Scirocco and other vehicles in the Volkswagen range.

The remarkably flat, purely surfaced body sides fair-in the rear wheels and taper inwards to a kamm-tail rear end. Here a set of intricately-detailed rear lights add a design flourish that Missoni likens to the crescendo of a piece of music.

The wheels now sit flush with the body sides, creating a more purposeful, car-like stance, while a thin body-colored plastic strip is used along the wheelarch outer edge, allowing front wheel travel while maintaining aero efficiency around it. Note also the long air intakes in the lower body side, which mimic bionics by using the flex in the surface (rather than a crude hinge) to open at their rear ends.

The concept is remarkable for its lightness and pursuit of efficiency, the entire carbon-fiber reinforced monocoque weighing just 65kg. A side-hinged roof canopy creates a cockpit-like interior, with the wrap around screen and IP creating the impression that one pilots, rather than drives this vehicle. It would be a fitting way to travel for the pioneering individuals Missoni says he had in mind when working on the car.

Seen last year in concept form, the X1 is BMW's offering in the emerging ‘pre-shrunk' SUV sector that will include the Audi Q3 and Land-Rover LRX in future, while the Ford Kuga, VW Tiguan and Peugeot 3008 are already on sale. The X1 will also share its platform and running gear with the Mini Crossover, so there's no shortage of competition in this emerging market.      

Changes from the concept are minimal and the whimsical ‘Hoffmeister kink' line from the C-pillar looping into the lower doors seems barely noticeable in the production steel panels, depending on body color, particularly the new olive green launch color. As on other X models, the square-contoured wheel arches have black lips that connect to the black rocker covers and the optional X Line package includes silver skid plates in the rockers, larger skid plates in the rear bumper and a silver bar in the lower grille. Headlamps feature a daytime running lamp in the top eyelid, similar to that on the new 7 Series.

Two drivetrains are offered: a standard SDrive with rear-wheel drive only and the xDrive 4x4 as an option. BMW also showed a Cool Elegance design package that incorporates highlights such as sports seats in Oyster-colored leather upholstery.

Distinguishing between the X1 and X3 on the road and at a glance won't be easy, but the overall surfacing and graphics such as the DLO and lamps are much softer on the X1, even if the size is not so different. The big difference is in the driving position and the interior: the X1 is lot more car-like than the larger X3, with no step up into the cabin. Interior quality is on a par with the 1 Series, with some use of hard plastics around the center console and on doors. It's not premium BMW quality but perfectly acceptable amongst current competitors.

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BMW X1 concept - Paris 2008

Previewed as the 200EX concept in Geneva this year, the Ghost has changed little in its metamorphosis to final production form. As we said at the time, any dilution of that design for production would surely disappoint, and the good news here is that absolutely nothing has been altered, except the use of the black R-R logo rather than red. "We simply spent our time fine-tuning a lot of areas, tightening up details everywhere" explained designer Alan Sheppard, who worked on the interior with fellow designer Charlie Coldham. The exterior design was the work of Andreas Thurner, under the direction of Ian Cameron.

The car on the stand was finished in a warm mushroom beige with satin silver hood that not only looked even more elegant than the dark tungsten chosen for the 200EX but allowed the subtle creases in the bodywork to be appreciated to the full. Not only that, but the interior color combination was beautifully matched, with a high contrast theme using a dark chestnut leather environment with pale ivory accents.

Indeed, it's the combination of bold new ideas on the exterior such as the two-tone hood treatment and the all-LED front face together with exquisite textures on the interior such as chrome and crystal to suggest elegance in new ways that is so impressive. Comparisons to the new Bentley Mulsanne are inevitable and in this respect the Ghost appears to move the game further forwards in terms of new ideas and materials to define British luxury than does the Bentley.

Finally, note one small detail that indicates the intended customer for the Ghost: the standard umbrella is the stowed in the front doors rather the rears as on the Phantom.

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