For many of our readers, the BMW 1 Series F40 planned for 2019 comes with a lot of question marks. The new compact hatch entry into the world of BMW will ditch the proven and fun rear-wheel drive philosophy and instead use the current UKL architecture for vehicles with front-wheel drive.
Continue Reading Below
For the decision makers in Munich, however, it is clear that the customers who bought the BMW 1 Series primarily because of its driving dynamics are a small minority. For the great majority, other factors such as design, brand image, efficient engine and infotainment system play far more important roles than balanced weight distribution and a rear-wheel drive.
This theory is confirmed by the success of the competitors – neither the Audi A3 nor the Mercedes A-Class use a rear-wheel drive platform. The lower cost and space-saving benefits resulting from the transversely mounted engine play a more important role for the vast majority of compact-class customers than the driving enjoyment potential of the standard rear-wheel drive.
Recent photos of Bimmertoday’s reader Philip show a prototype of the BMW 1 Series F40 on the highway, somewhat unveiling the design of the taillights. Also interesting is the tailpipe configuration with only one tailpipe on the left side. After all, some newer BMW models already feature a solution with two tailpipes for small engines.
In the case of the single tailpipe configuration, we assume that a three-cylinder engine is used under the bonnet. It is expected that all four-cylinder engines will be available with two tailpipes, with the more powerful engines featuring all-wheel drive xDrive as well. Most customers, however, will order their BMW 1 Series F40 as a front-wheel drive and thus forego the additional weight, but also the higher traction of the Haldex solution.
A big step for the new 1 Series will be found in the interior. While the quality of the materials and the workmanship, especially in the first, but sometimes also in the second generation, caused criticism, the interior should now be above all doubt and meet premium requirements everywhere. With iDrive 7 and the Intelligent Personal Assistant including “Hey, BMW “, of course, the infotainment will also be brought up to date.
The new platform is named FAAR if I remember which is a enhance version of the UKL platform.
Yes, that’s correct
Looking at the spyshots somehow it does look better than the A Class. Hopefully the interior doesn’t disappoint.
The removal of RWD may not seem like much, but in the end, it will hurt the image of the BMW 1 Series in the long run, whatever some may say. However, quite excited to see this. Hopefully no quirky design features that we have to wait for a facelift to finally get the car we wanted are to be seen here :)
BMW will still be selling rwd., expanding into new segments is never a bad thing. Most of BMW’s doubled volume this century is in new segments, fwd. will continue this. BMW engineering fwd. MINI for a decade has brought that brand from 0 to $5 billion.
At least the 2 coupe is safe.
VanjaK yes
I thought the car would be further down the line by now, it’s clearly an early test car.
I also wonder what BMW will do with the BTCC entrance for two seasons from now? Will they enter the FWD 1 Series? or hopefully, enter the G20 for its RWD attributes. There are already some biggish cars racing in that series. It’s possible…
As it stands today, that’s not BMW’s problem. There is no deal going forwards for BMW to support West Surrey Racing next year onwards, so it’s down to them as an independent team to develop a car, and there’s not much to say they couldn’t continue to race the older 1-er beyond it’s service life.
My hope is that BMW make WSR responsible for developing a TCR entry based on the next 1-er, or even 2 series Gran Coupe, and as part of that they develop an NGTC entry too. I’d be gutted if BMW weren’t represented in the BTCC and to me it’s a no brainer for them to develop a TCR car aswell.
I personally don’t see them going for a G20 for any of the above. Personally, I’m just not sure it’s the right fit for modern touring car series.
You’re probably right Matt. I’d love to know from them wether they’re even considering going FWD. If it’s a policy thing with them or not. We’ll find out, I guess.
Unlike earlier test cars this has production lights front and back, so I think it’s pretty close to the real thing under the camo. Production should start next summer.
That’s correct, we will see it in Spring first
Looks surprisingly very good. Didn’t expect
Too high belt line. Also the hofmeister zone doesn’t look like it should.
Also FWD means ugly hood line! Bad!
Bad is judging a car you can’t see, unless your x-ray vision can penetrate camo. Giugiaro’s original Golf & Scirocco had great hood lines (to name two). Citroen SM as well. Important thing about these photos is they do not resemble Mercedes or Golf at all. Good!
The kink looks like it will be similar to the new 3 series.