[7] Development of the vehicle started in 2006 as petrol prices were going up, BMW identified the need for a smaller and more efficient model in its SUV line-up.

As the result, it was reported that BMW has shortened the development and pre-production time by 40 percent compared to previous X Series models.

[8] The project director of the X1, Peter Kist commented that "never before has BMW produced a model that is meant for such a wide customer range."

[10] The platform is also used in the Zinoro 1E, which is an all-electric crossover based on the X1, with a rear-mounted 125 kW (168 hp) electric motor that produces 250 N⋅m (184 lb⋅ft) of torque.

[20] It is based on the Concept K2 Powder Ride unveiled earlier at the 2012 Los Angeles International Auto Show and was done in collaboration with K2 Sports.