Cars
BMW's engineers are toiling away on their next big-small project, the 1-Series sedan, poised to join the battle against the Audi A3 saloon and Mercedes-Benz CLA.
Before we let your imagination run wild, let's put a stop to any meaningful associations between BMW's upcoming 1-Series sedan and its famed E30 3-Series: yes, the two cars should have a similar footprint, and in some ways, target a similar audience, but one fundamental ingredient from the E30 formula is missing: rear wheel drive.
The new 1-Series will not be based on the 2-Series Coupe or current 1-Series hatchback, but on the same UKL (Unter Klasse or entry-level) structure as the front-wheel drive 2-Series Active Tourer, also shared with the latest Mini hatch.
A four-wheel drive option could be on the table for select engines, which will likely be common with the 2-Series AT and include both petrol and diesel units ranging in displacement from 1.5- to 2.0-liters paired to six-speed manual or nine-speed automatic transmissions.
A sported-up M125i with a 2.0-liter turbo'd four is expected to be on offer as well providing BMW with an Audi S3 rival.
As for when we can expect to see the 1-Series sedan, a production model is slated for launch in late 2016 or early 2017, but BMW could give us a sampler via a concept model as early as next year.
Photo Credits: CarPix for CarScoops
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Cars
BMW's New 1-Series 'Baby' Sedan Could Have Been A Modern E30 But It Won't Be
BMW's engineers are toiling away on their next big-small project, the 1-Series sedan, poised to join the battle against the Audi A3 saloon and Mercedes-Benz CLA.
Before we let your imagination run wild, let's put a stop to any meaningful associations between BMW's upcoming 1-Series sedan and its famed E30 3-Series: yes, the two cars should have a similar footprint, and in some ways, target a similar audience, but one fundamental ingredient from the E30 formula is missing: rear wheel drive.
The new 1-Series will not be based on the 2-Series Coupe or current 1-Series hatchback, but on the same UKL (Unter Klasse or entry-level) structure as the front-wheel drive 2-Series Active Tourer, also shared with the latest Mini hatch.
A four-wheel drive option could be on the table for select engines, which will likely be common with the 2-Series AT and include both petrol and diesel units ranging in displacement from 1.5- to 2.0-liters paired to six-speed manual or nine-speed automatic transmissions.
A sported-up M125i with a 2.0-liter turbo'd four is expected to be on offer as well providing BMW with an Audi S3 rival.
As for when we can expect to see the 1-Series sedan, a production model is slated for launch in late 2016 or early 2017, but BMW could give us a sampler via a concept model as early as next year.
Photo Credits: CarPix for CarScoops
Photo Gallery
- New Bmw Family Activity Sports Tourer Scooped, Gets Front-wheel Drive
Once upon a time, not too long ago, you could count BMW's model series on one hand. For example, in the 1980s you had the 3-Series, the 5-Series, the 6-Series and the 7-Series. Nowadays, you need both hands and very soon, that is after the launch...
- Bmw Readying Fwd 1-series Gt For 2014 Launch
*2012 BMW 1-Series Hatchback Pictured above It’s no secret that BMW is getting ready to adopt a front-wheel drive layout for its smaller models including certain versions of the next generation of the 1-Series. BMW’s decision has already...
- New Spy Shots Of 2012 Bmw 1-series Hatchback
Here are the latest spy shots of the forthcoming successor to the current 1-Series hatchback. Being that BMW has confirmed the launch of a smaller model with front-wheel drive, it remains to be seen if the Bavarian automaker will keep the 1-Series moniker...
- Bmw Confirms Hybrid Variants Of Next 3-series And New Fwd Subcompact
In a conference call earlier today regarding the company's interim report for the period ended 30 September 2010, Dr. Norbert Reithofer, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG confirmed plans to offer the next generation of the 3-Series as...
- Cadillac To Launch 5 New Models Including Bmw 3-series Rival And Cts-v Coupe By 2011
GM President and CEO Fritz Henderson confirmed today that Cadillac is developing five new models through 2011 including an entry-level luxury sports sedan that will compete against the BMW 3-Series and Audi A4 sedans in the segment below the CTS. The...