The BMW 1-Series Saloon Is Here, But You Can't Buy One
We’ve been expecting a saloon version of BMW’s 1-series hatchback for a while now, and at last it’s here. Except ‘here’ perhaps isn’t the right word: it’ll be built exclusively for the Chinese market, so if you were hoping for a dinky version of the 3-series and live elsewhere, you’re out of luck. Instead, you’ll have to wait for the anticipated but as yet unconfirmed 2-series Gran Coupe.
So, what do we know about this piece of forbidden fruit? Very little, as the press release isn’t what you’d call revealing. However, a BMW UK spokesperson did confirm that it’s riding on a cut-down version of the existing 1-series hatchback’s platform, and said that it’s likely to receive a range of four-cylinder and six-cylinder petrol engines. So it’ll be rear-wheel drive, contrary to previous reports of it running on the 2-series Active Tourer/Mini platform and therefore being front-wheel drive.
We also know that it’s been developed by BMW Brilliance Automotive Ltd, a joint venture between BMW and Chinese firm Brilliance Auto. It’ll be built in China alongside locally built versions of the 3-series, 5-series, X1 and 2-series Active Tourer.
As well as a lack of details, there also isn’t any additional imagery on top of the front three-quarter shot at the top of the page. So, in the absence of more pictures, here’s a rather dashing imagining of a ‘BMW M1 Sedan’ by prolific renderer X-Tomi Design. It won’t happen, but hey - there’s no harm in dreaming.
Growing up on a diet of World Rally Championship highlights and lengthy Gran Turismo 2 sessions, a life in cars was as good as inevitable for Matt.
Comments
Well it actually just is an even cheaper and smaller 2 series
We will probably drive it in the next Need for Speed or Forza xD
Good news is I do.
But I have one question, if BMW and Brilliance Auto come together, what would the quality be like?
i hope they will stick with RWD platform
I’m still waiting for American car culture to go all CDM. Maybe this’ll be the tipping point…
hehehehe.
Nope.
Pretty sure they’ll release it in India and other developing nations like these as the mentality, as an Indian I know, suvs and sedans are considered way premium than hatchbacks or wagons.
As long as it’s RWD I guess.
Even if it won’t be available in Europe, I’m happy BMW will stick with the FR layout.
Sim simma
I have 3 dollars to buy this bimma.
china? NNNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOO WWHHYY IINN CCHHIINNAA HAVE YOU SEEN THE TOP GEAR EPISODE WHERE THEY GO TO CHINA AND ALL OF THE FAKE JUNKY CARS THEY HAVE NONONONONONONONONONONO WWHHYY TTHHEE BBMMWW WHY NOT THE TOYOTA PRIUS????????