Time flies. Only 2 years after its introduction, BMW is apparently already preparing a facelift (AKA “LCI”) for the popular X1 SAV. As these images show, BMW sticks to their usual facelift approach.

The front bumpers will be reworked significantly for a more sporty and wider appearance, similar to the existing M Sport package. The rear bumpers will follow the same lead with a more ‘diffusor style’ appearance. Head and rear lights will get new graphics (updated rear lights not yet shown in these images).

It’s hard to tell for sure from these images but we wouldn’t be surprised if the X1 LCI also got its side indicators moved to the rear view mirrors. The camo tape over the redesigned mirrors and the side indicators at the front … CONTINUED

BMW’s new 2.0L 4 cylinder turbo engine (the “N20″) may be down on cylinders and displacement compared to the inline 6 cylinder (N52) that it replaces across BMW’s model range, but even in factory form, it matches the outgoing N52’s horsepowers and features an extra 30 lb-ft of torque (in the X1 xDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i, F20 128i, 528i, Z4 sDrive28i, and upcoming F30 328i).

And what the N20 loses in smoothness and top-end pull compared to the outgoing N52, it now looks like it will easily make up for in tuneability. Kelleners Sport has released the specs of its N20 tune and the figures are impressive! These are power gains that the naturally aspirated N52 could never achieve.

The Kelleners N20 tune achieves 294 hp and … CONTINUED

The BMW X1, the very first and still the only premium vehicle in its segment, continues to extend its pioneering position in the field of fuel efficiency. In the autumn of 2011, the model diversity across the range of the compact all-rounder will be complemented by the BMW X1 sDrive20d EfficientDynamics Edition. This model, which was systematically designed to provide driving pleasure simultaneously combined with reduced fuel consumption and emission levels, is powered by a 120 kW/163 hp four-cylinder diesel engine featuring BMW TwinPower Turbo technology. With an average fuel consumption of 4.5 litres/100 km and a CO2 emission level of 119 grams per kilometre it achieves best marks for efficiency in a BMW X model. Furthermore, from the autumn of 2011, a newly developed four-cylinder … CONTINUED

According to Autoweek.com, the BMW X1 SAV’s US market launch has been delayed again - until the end of 2012. The reasons they cite for the delay are the strong demand for the new X3 and because X1 is selling well outside the United States so supplies are tight.

Congrats to our Canadian members as they are now the first North American market to get a crack at the BMW X1 SAV. BMW Canada previously confirmed that the X1 will go on sale in Canada this year, and in case you have not yet seen, the X1 configurator has now been online at BMW Canada’s website for a few weeks.

Currently, the only X1 model available in Canada is the xDrive28i, featuring BMW’s all new twinpower turbo 4-cylinder engine (N20), good for 241hp / 258lb-ft torque. Pricing for the X1 xDrive28i starts at $38,500.

No word yet on the timing of availability in the US. Why has North America received the X1 later than the European market? Apparently, due to the great demand in all markets in … CONTINUED

Hopefully right now, most of you are asking yourselves, “What is the Brilliance A3?” This is a good thing.

Just to fill in the gaps, Brilliance is one of the larger Chinese automanufacturers. Brilliance produces a panoply of its own branded vehicles but is also partnered with BMW on a few projects. For one, Brilliance is in a long term agreement with BMW to produce high volume 3 and 5-series sedans for the Chinese local market using Brilliance production facilites. In addition to producing standard series 3 and 5 series sedans, they are also in bed with BMW on more future looking projects such as a 5-Series plug-in electric hybrid vehicle.

This is the stuff that solid long term relationships are built on. Or so one would … CONTINUED

Reviews of BMW’s Twinpower Turbo 2.0L inline 4-cylinder Motor (N20) are currently limited to drives of the X1 xDrive28i as that is only model being powered by the N20 thus far. The first US model to feature the N20 will be revealed next week at the NY International Autoshow. Motor Trend now shares their first impressions of the x1 xDrive28i and its new turbo 4 cylinder heart.

Audi’s all new Q3 has just been released, which was not unexpected considering Audi has a vehicle in every segment that BMW has one.

The new Q3 is certainly aesthetically pleasing, but when I first saw it, I didn’t have a strong reaction one way or the other. I think that is a function of the fact that like most Audis today, it is fairly similar to every other Audi product, especially the Q5. So while it’s not ugly, it is a bit booring to me.

Regardless, we bring you this photo comparison between the Audi Q3 and the BMW X1, a car which has been on the market for 2-3 years now. You be the judge! (Try voting in our poll above)

Sizing the two cars up, the … CONTINUED

Well folks, we’re all done here at the 2011 Geneva auto show and hope you enjoyed the coverage as much as we enjoyed sharing it with our community. Geneva is always an exciting show because of all shows, it’s arguably the largest in the world and always features an unrivaled number of exotics and tuning companies on display. Geneva is also traditionally one of the most important shows for BMW due to its proximity to BMW’s home market and prominence among the auto show circuit events.

This year again featured several debuts of BMW models, packages, and technologies, as well as plenty of aftermarket tuner models. As a show wrap-up, we’ve summarized our coverage below, enjoy!