BMW 1-series sedan

[2o6]

So far, China only. But I would not be in the least bit surprised if it showed up in the US or Europe. I think it looks good - I'd buy one.


Underneath, it's basically a Mini with BMW clothing. Power comes from the same 1.5T 3cyl, and 2.0L 4cyls.







http://www.carscoops.com/2016/11/bmw-1-series-sedan-debuts-in-guangzhou.html

[r0tor]

Why not a 2 series sedan 

[cawimmer430]

I don't think it will show up in Europe anytime soon. We've got the 2-Series Active Tourer here to handle this niche and the 3rd generation 1-Series is coming up soon. The 3rd generation 1er will be FWD and probably retain the hatchback styling of the 1st and 2nd generation models.

[2o6]

I don't think it will show up in Europe anytime soon. We've got the 2-Series Active Tourer here to handle this niche and the 3rd generation 1-Series is coming up soon. The 3rd generation 1er will be FWD and probably retain the hatchback styling of the 1st and 2nd generation models.

It will be a hatchback version of this. This car is Mini-based. It is FWD.


And the 2AT is not the same. This is more similar to the A-class and CLA.

[Payman]

Why not a 2 series sedan 

FWD. It might actually find a market in the 25-30K range as an entry level car for BMW. I think it would do well in Canada.

[CaminoRacer]

And 2 series is supposed to be a coupe.

[cawimmer430]

And the 2AT is not the same. This is more similar to the A-class and CLA.

IIRC this 1-Series sedan was specifically created for China to fight the Mercedes CLA and Audi A3 Sedan.

The 2-Series Active Tourer competes with the Mercedes B-Class and the A-Class competes with the current 1-Series hatch in Europe. 

[2o6]

the 2AT is a direct B-class fighter.....it's a lot taller than this 1-series sedan. And the A-class.



The next 1-series will be a hatchback version of this.

[r0tor]

And 2 series is supposed to be a coupe.

They can call it a grand coupe or whatever bastardized language they come up with to implode their naming strategy.... As long as it's a small nimble rwd 4 door I6 M2 or m235i I don't care what they call it

[12,000 RPM]

Fuck this car. Why this over a GTI

[MrH]

Because variety is good...?

[12,000 RPM]

Then make it RWD

[2o6]

Then make it RWD

Then it won't hold any passengers.

Fuck this car. Why this over a GTI

Because a GTI is a Golf, which is cheap and Firm. a3's are quieter and nicer than the GTI.


This thing goes directly at the MB CLA.

[Rich]

Sporty is just mad that it's FWD and can't get a small RWD sedan with a stick

[Raza]

Fuck this car. Why this over a GTI

Because China. They love badges over there.

[2o6]

Because China. They love badges over there.

Didn't you almost buy an A3 like six times? 

[12,000 RPM]

Didn't you almost buy an A3 like six times? 

Don't get me started on Raza's brand whoring

[cawimmer430]

Fuck this car. Why this over a GTI

In fairness, most 2-Series Active Tourer reviews have praised the way it drives. For a FWD car it's pretty sporty and doesn't suffer from torque steer and it doesn't understeer as badly as other FWD cars. BMWs first FWD car seems pretty impressive from a driving point of view. So if a FWD BMW MPV can drive like this, then a FWD BMW hatch can be even better.

Also, most 1-Series' buyers don't care which wheels are being driven, and BMW has to go with the wishes of the masses. This niche is very important to BMW and it's not dominated by enthusiasts; it's dominated by customers. Customers are unfortunately financially more important than enthusiasts for BMW. 

It's going to be an interesting future for hot hatches in Europe. VW Golf GTI, Renault Megane RS... [3rd generation] BMW 1-Series... who will be the new king in this class? I can't wait to see the reviews.

[MexicoCityM3]

Fuck this car. Why this over a GTI

Looks better. May drive better. Doesn't look like a generic econobox. Not everyone has your hard on for VW.

[12,000 RPM]

Not everyone has a hard on for BMW either. Hopefully there are enough people who do to make this viable

[Raza]

Didn't you almost buy an A3 like six times? 

For many reasons other than the badge. I think at some point they had an AWD 6MT version (or they were really good used deals). But the A3, unlike the 1 series, is actually good looking.

[Raza]

Looks better. May drive better. Doesn't look like a generic econobox. Not everyone has your hard on for VW.

Looks better? Come on, dude.

[2o6]

I think it looks good, if not unremarkable.

[Raza]

I think it looks good, if not unremarkable.

It looks like a generic subcompact sedan with a BMW front end. Frumpy.

[2o6]

It looks like a generic subcompact sedan with a BMW front end. Frumpy.

And the A3 doesn't?

[68_427]

The A3 sedan has 3rd world proportions as well.

[Galaxy]

The A3 sedan has 3rd world proportions as well.

Personally I think the A3 sedan is the best looking of the current batch. Which is remarkable since sedans based on hatches usually look meh.

[Payman]

The first gen 1-er was frumpy with its potbellied pig profile. This is much cleaner and attractive. Nice BMW interior, service at BMW dealerships, overall BMW cachet, and FWD for good winter driveability. Priced in the 20's, this car would do well in Canada and the northern States.

[MrH]

The A3 sedan has 3rd world proportions as well.

+1. I want to like the S3, but can't get over the frumpy proportions.

[veeman]

The first gen 1-er was frumpy with its potbellied pig profile. This is much cleaner and attractive. Nice BMW interior, service at BMW dealerships, overall BMW cachet, and FWD for good winter driveability. Priced in the 20's, this car would do well in Canada and the northern States.

Service at BMW dealerships is too expensive for a car in this price range. 

If this car is a Mini Cooper underneath with a different body and 3,000 dollar price hike, I don't think it will be successful in the U.S. or Canada.