This week, BMW is hosting the international press event for the unveiling of the new 2012 BMW 1 Series Hatchback. BMWBLOG team is in Berlin driving the new 1er hatch and will report shortly with the first impressions behind the wheel.

The new small size premium BMW goes on sale late this year and will be available for the European market only. At launch time, the F20 1er is offered in a variety of exterior colors: Black Sapphire, Alpine White, Crimson Red, Mineral Gray, Midnight Blue, Deep Sea blue, Glacier Silver, Mineral White, Liquid Blue, Valencia Orange. In the fall, the M Sport package becomes available and among the usual exterior and interior upgrades, will also include the historical Estoril Blue paint.

According to our sources, BMW AG is the owner of the paint and the M Division licensed the rights to use it on the new 1 Series M Coupe.

With a bold front-end design, the 1 Series continues the design language initiated by BMW with the new 7 Series. The front-end design resembles to a point the 5 GT, but with cues matched to the smaller body.

At the back, the design is less controversial and more of an evolution from the previous E87 generation.

But how does the new 1 Series handle on the road? Stay tuned on BMWBLOG for an exclusive driving report!