As expected, websites and print magazines have reamed out countless pages of speculative crystal ball gazing since BMW announced that it would go ahead with its pint sized model. Would it feature front- or rear-wheel drive? What layout configuration and body styles would it offer? How big would it actually be? What engines might be offered? Which models would BMW bring to North America?
This article will attempt to answer these, but I'm afraid for the time being the majority of my comments will be little more than educated speculation as well. To start, the 1-Series will definitely feature a front engine, rear-drive layout, staying true to BMW tradition. The concern of BMW going FWD was pretty well put to rest when it unloaded the Rover brand, where it would have sourced the front-wheel drive architecture. Such speculation was finally buried with the launch of the FWD Mini.
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| BMW is planning to release the 1-Series in a variety of models, including a 2-door sedan/coupe, a 3-door hatchback, 2-door convertible and 5-door wagon. The latter is shown in this unofficial rendering. |
As far as body styles go BMW is talking about a pretty healthy variety, starting with a two-door sedan/coupe, reminiscent of the 2002, a two-door hatchback, two-door convertible and 5-door wagon - the latter of which will most likely not be making it across the Atlantic. Neither will the hatch according to BMW insiders I've talked with. I haven't heard word on a 4-door sedan but I've seen proposed renderings, and it would make sense in the scheme of things.
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| The 1-Series will be a real competitor to the Golf just as the Mini has been. The wagon (Touring) version will take on the Jetta wagon. |
Its actual size should be fairly close to the current generation VW Golf, itself a little larger than the Mini. That would distinguish it enough from the 3-Series to justify its existence while offering a real competitor to the Golf, which gets pricy when options are added on.