BMW News

The 2016 1 Series sedan appears to be deep into the testing phase as evidenced by spy photos presented by caradvice.com.au. BMW finally appears closer to doing battle with Audi and Mercedes-Benz for sales to customers looking to get into a smaller, less-expensive German premium car.

The entry-level 1 Series sedan will sit on BMW’s modular UKL platform. Much to the displeasure of BMW purists, the engine will drive the front wheels. It will not be the first front-wheel drive offering from the BMW Group. The Mini and the 2 Series Active Tourer already have front wheel drive and the UKL architecture. Competitors’ offerings like the Audi A3 and Merecedes-Benz CLA are also front drivers.

Now that it has taken the plunge into the front-drive creek, BMW admits that up to twelve vehicles could be UKL based. Not every model has to be pure front-wheel drive; the UKL also accommodates an all-wheel drive setup. Other UKL-based Bimmers known to be headed down the development pipeline include the 2016 X1 small crossover and the 1 Series hatchback.

BMW is obviously not ceding the entry-level market to Audi’s A3 or Mercedes-Benz’s CLA., nor should it. If BMW can build a model in this class that performs, handles, and brakes like a BMW, why shouldn’t it go after a piece of the action? Of course, to make this logic work, BMW does need to make sure the 1 Series sedan performs, handles, and brakes like a BMW.—Scott Blazey

[Photos courtesy of caradvice.com.au.]