Having received their mid-life refresh with 2015 models, the second-generation BMW 1 Series three- and five-door hatchbacks are on the downhill leg of their planned lifespan. At least one of the third-generation 1 Series models is far enough into its road-testing phase that spy photos are showing it only partially camouflaged.
The next 1 Series will have a sedan variant—a normal-looking sedan with four doors and what looks like a trunk. That’s good news for entry-level and second- or third-car buyers who want their BMW to look more like a car and less like a hot hatch. It also gives prospective buyers in that class a choice that isn’t the Audi A3 sedan or the Mercedes-Benz CLA.
Hatch lovers should not be worried, however. They can still look forward to the next-generation 1 Series hatchbacks—if they live in Europe.
While it looks like a traditional BMW sedan with similar lines as the 3 Series and 5 Series, the 1 Series Sedan likely will have something the 3 and 5 never had—front-wheel drive. If that scares people, they can opt for the all-wheel drive version that BMW will almost certainly offer.
The F52 BMW 1 Series will probably be powered by three- and four-cylinder engines and in Europe at least, will have a diesel variant. Unless BMW makes an M Performance version, the power developed by the next 1 Series engines would probably not generate much rear wheelspin if it was rear-wheel drive, so most owners will probably be comfortable with the front-wheel drive setup, just as the 2 Series Active Tourers have elsewhere in the world. We’re betting BMW will still make the F52 1 Series Sedan feel sporty and it will handle and stop well enough.
And it will take sales away from Audi and Daimler. It seems BMW is unwilling to leave many niches unchallenged these days.—Scott Blazey
[Photos courtesy of Bimmerpost.]
