Scoop: Did BMW Clone its X1 Into the China Market Zinoro EV SUV?

When it comes to China and automotive doppelgangers, it's Chinese manufacturers cloning Western carmakers' models, but what you're seeing here is a European company turning one of its own cars into a Chinese-badged product, in this case, BMW using the X1 as a base for its upcoming Zinoro brand.

At least that's what it looks like because BMW may further alter the design of the car before it reaches production.

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Spied: BMW X1 Prototype with Electric Motor Trots Out for Testing

When the BMW Group took the decision to electrify and hybridize its automobile lineup a few years back, it wasn't playing around.

Today, the Bavarian carmaker offers two pure electric models (albeit only as a lease in limited numbers as trial cars), the 1-Series-based ActiveE and the MINI E, and several hybrids, such as the ActiveHybrid 3, 5 and 7. Later this year, it will enhance its range with the i3 all-electric hatchback and from 2014, with the i8 hybrid sports car.

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Consumer Reports Tests the 2013 BMW X1, Isn't Really Thrilled About it

If you can't wait for the new Touring version of the BMW 3-Series to arrive in the States next month, or simply think that owning a wagon is less cool than owning a crossover, the Bavarian company offers two alternatives: the X1 and the X3. If you see the former on the street, you will be struck by how un-SUV-like it looks.

That's partially due to the fact that the X1 is based on the underpinnings of the previous generation, E91 3-Series Touring, featuring a jacked up suspension and chunkier proportions.

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Turn Your Brilliance into a BMW and Your BYD Into a Lexus for as Low As $63 with Chinese Kits

Chinese carmakers cloning parts or even entire vehicles from Western companies, is nothing new or surprising, though, we will admit to raising an eyebrow when we saw joint-venture partners of European brands blatantly copying their business companion's designs, as was the case with Brilliance and the very BMW X1-like V5 SUV, and BAIC's call-me-maybe Mercedes-Benz B-Class lookalike, the "BC301Z".

Taking advantage of lax copyright laws and a system that turns a blind eye as long as these companies keep up appearances (pun intended) by avoiding the use of names and logos on their vehicles, many Chinese carmakers have managed to get away with it.

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BMW's Colorful X1 Concept K2 Powder Ride Slides into the LA Auto Show

Among the less important/interesting world premieres of the LA Auto Show, is the BMW Concept K2 Powder Ride, which was created in partnership with winter sports equipment supplier K2.

What we have here is a cosmetically modified version of BMW revamped X1 compact crossover, supposedly designed for cold weather sports enthusiasts.

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BMW X1 Concept K2 Power Ride and X1 Power Ride Special Edition to Debut at LA Auto Show

At the same time the new X1 compact crossover begins to arrive in U.S. showrooms, BMW announced the development of two special variants named the Concept K2 Power Ride and X1 Power Ride Edition, both of which will receive their world premiere at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show at the end of November.

The X1-based Concept K2 Powder Ride was created by BMW in collaboration with winter sport equipment supplier K2 in celebration of their partnership that began in 2009. It blends bespoke exterior and interior features with an exclusive roof structure.

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New BMW X1 Compact Crossover Priced from £24,660 in the UK, Available Exclusively with Diesels

The facelifted BMW X1 will go on sale in Britain this July priced from £24,660 for the X1 sDrive18d. The Bavarian company's Audi Q3 rival features minor exterior styling tweaks combined with a subtlety-refined cabin, a new flagship diesel model and two new trims, Sport and xLine.

Proving the popularity of oil-burners in the UK, the X1 will be offered exclusively with diesel engines topped by the new X1 xDrive25d, which is only available in four-wheel drive.

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New Mega Gallery of BMW's Facelifted 2013 X1 Crossover with 100 Photos

If you are in the mood to observe the refreshed 2013 BMW X1 from all sorts of angles both inside and out, then you are in luck as the Bavarian firm dropped a huge gallery with 100 photos of its compact proposal in the premium crossover segment.

The facelift comes after some two-and-a-half years and more than 275,000 worldwide sales of the compact X model that is built at BMW plant's in Leipzig, Germany and in Tiexi, China.

For the first time, the X1 will be available in the U.S. with prices starting from $31,545 for the rear-wheel drive X1 sDrive28i, while the all-wheel drive X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i cost $33,245 and $39,345 respectively (including $895 destination and handling). BMW said that the X1 will arrive in U.S. dealerships this fall.

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2013 BMW X1 Priced from $31,545 in the States, More than $6,000 Less than the Base X3

After the first photos, we now have official details and U.S. pricing for the facelifted 2013 BMW X1, which debut at the New York Auto Show and reach dealerships across the country this fall (and not in the summer, as BMW originally stated).

The X1 will be offered in the States for the first time since its introduction in 2009. It will be available in three models, the rear-wheel drive X1 sDrive28i priced at $31,545, and the all-wheel drive X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i, priced at $33,245 and $39,345 respectively, with all prices including an $895 Destination and Handling fee.

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2013 BMW X1 Facelift Photos Pop Up Online, Coming to the States this Summer

The automotive forecast for today predicts many leaks from all fronts, as the earlier photo showers of the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class and 2013 Lincoln MKZ continue now with the refreshed 2013 BMW X1, which will be joining the two other models at the New York International Auto Show.

If you're reading this from the U.S., the first thing you'll need to know about the facelifted X1 is that BMW has confirmed that it will be available in showrooms across the country this summer, with prices to be announced soon.

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