BMW aficionados are living through tough times. Beyond downsized engines and the heavy focus on the "i" sub-brand, they have to get used to front-wheel-drive vehicle architectures. North America’s first sample is the new X1. It replaces the outgoing, rear-drive-based model, which only just arrived three years ago. The new version—which comes standard with all-wheel drive, although the Euro-market FWD model could eventually reach our shores—shares its platform with the Mini and the 2-series Active Tourer and Gran Tourer. Those 2-series people-movers, by the way, won’t come to the United States. BMW of North America has made it clear to headquarters that it has little interest in peddling them here.