BMW's front-drive 1-Series

First pictures of BMW's first-ever front-wheel drive model, which will rival Audi A1

Auto Express Car Reviews

Text: Sam Hardy / Photos: SB-Medien

02nd June 2011

Watch out Audi A1 – this is the latest addition to BMW's range, the first front-wheel drive model ever to wear the famous propellor badge.

Spied testing in Germany, the new car is part of an extended 1-Series family, which will allow the model to rival both the Audi A1 – in the form of this front-drive car – and the Audi A3 – in the form of an all-new rear-wheel drive machine, due to debut on June 5th and go on sale later this year.

The five-door hatchback prototype you see here sits on an all-new front-drive platform which will be shared with the third generation MINI. By sharing the chassis, BMW can make the economic case for an even smaller model, in addition to the standard car, and launch a rival to the A1 as well as similarly priced cars such as the VW Golf in the process.

In what is not a coincidence, our spies tell us that within hours of this model being spotted, BMW also sent the third-generation MINI out onto German roads for the first time. We'll try to bring you those spy shots as soon as we can.

Despite its entry-level status, this model is likely to offer even more space than the rear-drive 1-Series, thanks to its improved pacakaging. Power will come from a range of next-generation petrol and diesel engines, including a 1.5-litre three-cylinder unit capable of producing around 150bhp, while emitting less than 100g/km of CO2.

The launch of the new RWD 1-Series will start later this year, with traditional three and five-door guise. This layout will still be used in the Coupé and Convertible, due in 2012.

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6 Comments

We had a pair of curtains like that in the 70s ...

... but seriously, the good news story here is that it looks as if BMW are (finally) joining the rest of the automotive industry in adopting FWD as the norm. It had to happen.

I imagine their Marketing Division will be formulating a challenging transition programme from RWD to FWD of about 10 years, a comms campaign suggesting that this is a branching-out rather an acceptance that FWD is King, and the retention of a niche RWD model a while longer for those eccentrics who like to helplessly perform dough-knots and hold us other drivers up when there is an inch of snow.

It's a bit like the move to digital television, the elderly will tend to be last to consider their options.

By FloatingVoter on 2 June, 2011, 8:18pm

Why FWD?

BMW always has saled a lot of cars, bringing them profits. And they say: why to change the winning formula? If they want a FWD car, they buy an AUDI or FORD or VOLVO or... If u want a luxury and sporty saloon u buy a BMW. They are just extending their gamma with the FWD 1-series, not turning the entire gamma in FWD. It would be a mistake, and people working there dont get paid for making mistakes, but for bringing profits!!!

By klajd323 on 3 June, 2011, 12:18pm

So if the customers want a FWD car, let them buy a Audi or Ford? A rivals product?! I'm glad your not in charge of BMW!

By KIII3R on 3 June, 2011, 4:17pm

Sorry KIII3R ...

... but let's just add up the balance of opinion here.

You count up all the rear wheel drive cars on the market, and I'l count up ...

Ho hum, no need to. The rest of the world believes FWD is the way forward.

By FloatingVoter on 5 June, 2011, 11:12am