It might not be due for another 18 months, but BMW’s latest SUV is well into its testing programme.

Spotted here going through its paces in Scandinavia, the X1 promises to be greener than the average SUV, with an eight-speed automatic gearbox and BMW’s EfficientDynamics fuel-saving technology, as well as a NOx-reducing system for diesels.

It uses the same platform found on the four-wheel drive 3 Series Touring available in Europe, and will go on sale late in 2009.

The X1 looks set to beat Audi’s forthcoming Q1 and Mercedes-Benz’s new small-SUV to the showrooms.