Auto News 5

Malicious tongues claim that the X1's psychedelic-swirl paint job marks the ultimate expression of Chris Bangle's flame- surface design philosophy, but this is not the case. The wild circles printed on thick adhesive foil do a better job of disguising a car's contours than the matte-black cladding used in the past. It was required attire for the preproduction prototype X1 that we drove.

Driving usually isn't much of a challenge, but sometimes we make it one: Attempting to beat our best time for a trip. Trying to perfectly execute a heel-and-toe downshift. Plotting to nab the best possible parking space. Such activities add interest to the routine. What about the challenge of coaxing the most miles out of every gallon of gasoline? For us, that was a new one.