All new look, all new platform
The current BMW 1 Series (internal code for five- or three-door models: F20/F21) was released in 2011. The automotive industry’s eternal laws dictate that the successor to the current generation will be available in 2019. This rendering depicts what the car could look like.
The grille is shaped like a BMW kidney, and it is not mirror-like on the X2. It is not clear if the front headlights will look exactly like the rendering. The lights were camouflaged heavily in spy shots that we published over the past few months. The new hexagonal shape will be used for the LED light elements. The rendering clearly shows the M Sport Package version, which has large air intakes. Here, the mirrors have been dipped in faux carbon fiber. The distance between the front wheels arches and the edge of the front door is now shorter than ever before. Just like the current model, the upper character line is at the height of door handles. The roofline drops to the rear while the lower character line rises. The B-pillar remains hidden behind a black finish, just like before.
The new 1 Series will bring many technical changes. The front-wheel drive replaces the rear-wheel drive. The platform UKL is the basis for the newcomer (like the 2 Series Active / Gran Tourer and the X1 as well as the Mini Countryman). The 1 Series Sedan, measuring 4.46 meters (14.6ft), has a wheelbase length of 2.67m (8.7ft). The current 1 Series is 4.32 meters (14.1ft) in length and has a wheelbase of 2.69 meters (8.8ft). Although the new 1 Series should replace the F56’s wheelbase, it should be shorter.
It is unclear if there will be a five-door and a three-door version. The picture we have shows the five-door. However, the three-door could (as with the Mercedes A-Class but unlike the VW Golf), be dropped. The new compact from Munich will likely only receive three- or four-cylinder engines. Munich’s strongest four-cylinder gasoline engine has 258 horsepower. This would make it a good candidate for a 130i. Rumours also suggest that a 300-hp four cylinder engine could be built in the X2. This engine could work in a 135i. The UKL platform does not support a six-cylinder engine (as in the M140i).
We don’t expect the plug-in hybrid to be a replacement for the 340-hp Inline-Six. Instead, it will be more about fuel efficiency. The 224-hp hybrid technology from the 225xe Active Tourer iPerformance (and corresponding system in Mini Cooper SE Countryman All4) will most likely be used. Rumours also suggest a mild hybrid system and the replacement the torque converter-automatic gearbox with a dual clutch transmission.
The cabin will have a digital instrument cluster, which we expect to be available for the freshman. It would be a good idea in any case. The competition has it already: the Audi A3 has the Virtual Cockpit. The VW Golf has the Active Info Display, while the A-Class has the MBUX widescreen display. The new 1 Series should provide more space in the rear. The new 1 Series will have a larger center tunnel than before. It will also come with xDrive, so it is necessary to provide enough space for a driveshaft. The new 1 Series will likely grow the trunk (currently only 360- to 1,200 liters). This area will see improvements thanks to the front-wheel drive.
Prices are expected to remain the same. The five-door version in Germany starts at EUR25,900 (116 i with109 hp).
Although it’s impossible to predict whether the next-generation BMW 1 Series will reach the United States, it is possible that only the sedan will.