BMW’s front-drive 1-Series
BMW’s front-drive 1-Series First pictures of BMW’s first-ever front-wheel drive model, which will rival Audi A1
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, withtraditional three and five-door guise. Thislayout will still be used in the Coupé and Convertible, due in 2012.
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