A BMW F52 1 Series Sedan was spotted during winter testing in Scandinavia.
U.S. customers have been disappointed that they couldn’t get the current 1 Series hatchbacks, since BMW has apparently erected a hatchback force field around America. The 1 Series that was recently spotted undergoing winter testing was a sedan, so there is hope. Especially since the 1 Series is BMW’s answer to the very popular Audi A3 Sedan and Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class.
Most likely the 1 Series Sedan sits on a UKL platform; the same one shared by the 2 Series Active Tourer. Does this mean another front-wheel drive BMW? Yes. Both the Audi A3 and MB CLA-Class are front-wheel drivers, and front-wheel drive in a 1 Series would give it more space inside—something that a small family might look for in an entry-level BMW.
To compete with the A3 and CLA, BMW would have to bring the price point in under $30,000, but it can’t go too low without cramping Mini’s style.
Engine availability would depend on the market, but across the whole 1 Series Sedan range, expect everything from 1.5-liter three-cylinder jobs to two-liter, four-cylinder engines, all turbocharged, in both diesel and gasoline versions. The smaller engines would help BMW meet its corporate average fuel economy mandates, while the more powerful mills could make the little sedan pretty peppy. It is supposed to come with an eight-speed automatic or six-speed manual transmission. All-wheel drive is also likely since AWD is available on the Audi and Mercedes-Benz competition.
Earlier spy shots painted the interior as not particularly distinctive, and close in looks to that of the 2 Series Active Tourer.
Industry observers are speculating that a 1 Series Sedan could be available sometime in 2016. Since we seem to be lower on BMW’s small-car-pecking order, we might expect a U.S. sighting in late 2016 or 2017.—Scott Blazey
[Photos courtesy of Autoevolution.com.]
