babypuppi: [11] Bmw 1 Series 2016 At Daily Issue

What It Is: The new 1-series compact sedan—BMW’s second front-wheel-drive model—wearing production bodywork. We’ll pause while you beat your keyboard or mobile device against your forehead as the whole “front-drive” thing sinks in. This sub-3-series model is being prepped for battle against Mercedes-Benz’s CLA-class and Audi’s slick A3 sedan, which are also front-wheel-drive-based.

The compact car you see here shares its dirty bits with BMW’s first FWD car, the 2-series Active Tourer, but it will be called the 1-series to adhere to BMW’s odd-numbered badging for sedans. You may recall that BMW previously sold a 1-series here in the States, but it was a rear-drive two-door coupe or convertible that was succeeded by the 2-series family. Yes, we know, it’s confusing; for some reason BMW’s even-numbered naming scheme for two-door vehicles and “four-door coupes” like the 228i, 6-series Gran Coupe, and 4-series somehow also applies to the front-drive Active Tourer mini-minivan. All you need to know is that unlike the 3- and 4-series and 5- and 6-series, the 1-series sedan is largely unrelated to the one-numeral-higher car, not to mention every other BMW on sale in the U.S. today.

Why It Matters: With its German competition spitting out new, low-priced compact sedans, BMW has to introduce a similar model to keep up. BMW’s 2-series coupe is a great-driving piece, but its appeal is limited by its body style and tight back seat. The 1-series, therefore, gives BMW a proper entry-level model here in the U.S., where even the value-packed 320i—a de-tuned, discounted 328i—rings in at $33,700. The 1er also ostensibly will help increase the company’s CAFE fuel-efficiency number in the U.S.

View PhotosKGP PHOTOGRAPHY, THE MANUFACTURER

Platform: The 2016 1-series sedan will utilize BMW’s UKL compact front-drive architecture, which currently serves under the 2-series Active Tourer and the latest Mini Cooper. Similar to the larger 3-series, the front suspension is a strut design, while the rear consists of a multilink arrangement. Having driven the 2-series Active Tourer and several versions of the new Mini, we can report that the platform is stiff, quiet, and capable of delivering good handling. We anticipate the 1-series sedan to build on those attributes and perhaps be the best UKL vehicle to drive.

From what we can see on this prototype, BMW has gotten the proportions very, very right. This is no small accomplishment; making a front-drive sedan look sleek and balanced in profile is tough work, but BMW appears to have pulled it off. The base of the A-pillar is aft of the front wheel opening, keeping a rear-drive-like dash-to-axle profile and maintaining maximum visual length for the hood, and the front and rear overhangs are pleasingly clipped. The roofline also avoids the bubble look that plagues many stubby sedans.

Powertrain: Given that BMW’s wonderful inline-six is unlikely to fit transversely in the 1-series sedan’s engine bay, we must conclude that the largest engine will be a four-cylinder from BMWs brand-spanking-new family of small turbocharged engines. It’s also possible that BMW could drop its new turbocharged three-cylinder engine—which already is offered here in the base Mini Cooper—to pump up fuel-economy numbers. The 2-series Active Tourer’s most-powerful turbocharged four-cylinder puts down 228 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, and we suspect the 1-series will get more or less the same output. Given that the German companies follow each other into any and all breaches, we’d expect an M version to come along eventually to battle the Mercedes-Benz CLA45 AMG and the Audi S3.

View PhotosKGP PHOTOGRAPHY, THE MANUFACTURER

As for transmissions, expect an eight-speed automatic and a six-speed manual, and don’t be surprised if BMW stirs in optional all-wheel drive; after all, Benz and Audi both offer all-wheel traction for their compact sedans.

Competition: Acura TLX, Audi A3, Lexus IS250, Mercedes-Benz CLA-class, Volkswagen CC.

Estimated Arrival and Price: The 1-series prototype pictured here looks to be nearly complete and production-ready, meaning it could go on sale in Europe as soon as early next year. We’d expect to wait another 12 months or so before it arrives stateside, potentially as a 2017 model. A $30K base price would align the little BMW nicely with the CLA250 and A3 1.8T. Now the only question remaining is: Would you buy a front-drive BMW?

This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io