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Latest BMW 1 Series spy pictures

Our exclusive comparison reveals how much BMW’s baby has grown.

2012 BMW 1 Series side comparison

By Tom Phillips

26th August 2010

Size matters for BMW. With the firm’s Megacity car due for launch in 2013, the firm has elected to make its next 1 Series somewhat bigger than the model it replaces to make space in the range for its new urban supermini.

The next 1 Series is due to arrive next year, and these are the first pictures of the three-door car. As well as clearing space at the bottom of the BMW range, enlarging the 1 Series has countered one of its biggest criticisms, the lack of space, particularly for rear seat passengers.

And as you can see from our image, which overlays the existing 1 Series three-door hatch with the prototype newcomer, next year’s car is significantly longer, both in absolute length and in the wheelbase, to liberate more interior space.

There’s also a greater front overhang to meet stricter pedestrian impact legislation, while the rear is also extended to leave enough room for an elegantly curving tail end, yet still providing ample boot space.

The spy pictures also reveal that the car will feature more elegant detailing than the car is succeeds, including projector front headlights which look similar to those on the BMW Gran Coupe concept which previews the next 6 Series.

The bodywork is less dramatically scalloped at the sides too, showing design chief Adrian Van Hooydonk’s trademark retrained, graceful curves, which feature on the current 5 Series and Z4, will also translate to the 1 Series.

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8 Comments

Good news!

It's not as ugly as the current model. BMW is gradually getting rid of the Bungle (sorry, Bangle) influence.

By lairdfp on 31 August, 2010, 9:34am

Coupe Potential...

Now that's better, It doesn't look anywhere near as awkward as the current model. I agree with the comment above, Chris Bangles designs were challenging, to be polite. Judging by the swoopy flow to the roofline, there's also a really nice coupe sitting under there somewhere...

By sgtgrash on 31 August, 2010, 4:49pm

Still looks as dull as the present model.
When will BM get back to cars with style?

By toycollector on 31 August, 2010, 5:41pm

Just as ugly

Sorry guys - looks just as hideous as the current one to me! Not much has actually changed.

By pajbse on 31 August, 2010, 6:13pm

!

It sort of looks like shooting brake rather than a hatchback, no bad thing by any means.

By koupekid on 31 August, 2010, 7:51pm

Oh No!

BMW designers are getting as lazy as the ones at Porsche.

It will have a bigger more rounded grille, and be even uglier than the current model. It will be expensive for the class - and it will sell like hot cakes.

By ukmike2000 on 31 August, 2010, 9:56pm

is that pic the new one?

is that pic meant to be the new 1series or the old 1 series its hard to tell?

By nickbsmooth on 1 September, 2010, 3:46pm

1 series?

Here's an idea... If they are to make this bigger to make room for a new urban supermini, why not rename it the 2 series???

By ARI_Boy on 2 September, 2010, 6:49pm

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Pictures

2012 BMW 1 Series side comparison
2012 BMW 1 Series front
2012 BMW 1 Series front
2012 BMW 1 Series side
2012 BMW 1 Series rear
2012 BMW 1 Series rear

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