Entry-level 1-Series spied

By Tom Phillips

28th July 2010

Small is beautiful for BMW. And with global demand for downsized cars becoming ever more important, the German firm is readying four versions of its forthcoming 1-Series replacement.

Codenamed F20, the car is due to make its debut as a thinly-veiled concept at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, and the range will kick off with this five-door hatchback. A three-door version will also be offered. And as well as having three doors, the car will also gain BMW’s new downsized engine range, which features turbocharged three-cylinder petrol and diesel units that will be shared with the next MINI and 3 Series ranges.

So far, details are scarce, but we do know that the diesel unit displaces 1.5-litres and produces 161bhp, and made its debut in the Vision Efficient Dynamics concept car. The engines have been designed to be modular too. Each cylinder displaces 500cc, and engines can be scaled up or down as needed.

A six-cylinder petrol is unlikely this time around, and will be replaced by a turbo four-cylinder which produces the same power as the existing naturally aspirated 201bhp 3.0-litre six found in the 523i.

In addition to the conventional three- and five-door hatchbacks, and the booted Coupe model, BMW is currently in the process of evaluating a sleeker Z2, with a hardtop and convertible option, and a Gran Turismo or Compact Sport Tourer which would be offered in the US market for the first time.

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