BMW 1 Series sedan due 2017, to be front-wheel drive

01 BMW 114d

BMW is mulling a sub-3 Series front-wheel drive sedan, according to an Automotive News Europe report. Bearing the internal working title NES (New Entry-level Sedan), the new four-door model will counter the Audi A3 Sedan and Mercedes-Benz CLA when it surfaces in 2017.

Speculated to be the upcoming BMW 1 Series sedan (current F20 1 Series pictured), the NES will ride on the company’s new UKL (Unter Klasse, or entry-level) platform, which you’ll see first at the LA show in November – underneath the new F56 MINI hatch. It will also underpin the third-gen 1 Series hatch, before the sedan.

“(The NES) will be an important pillar in the future BMW 1 Series lineup, particularly in the US and China, where sales of small premium-brand sedans are on the rise,” an insider source told ANE. The report adds that like the competition, the car will be offered with four-wheel drive as an option.

After preliminary guidelines are set for the new model, an official codename will be issued when it enters the test and development phase, BMW sources told ANE. Where the BMW 1 Series sedan will be built has not been divulged, but according to the report, sources suggest facilities in Germany, China and possibly Brazil.

Motivation will reportedly come from direct-injected three- and four-cylinder petrol and common-rail diesel units. A plug-in gas-electric hybrid powertrain could possibly surface in the future, as part of BMW’s EfficientDynamics vision.

Usual coupe, cabriolet and hatchback (three- as well as five-door) bodystyles aside, the third-gen BMW 1 Series range is also expected to include an MPV variant – check out what is referred to as the 1 Series GT here. The current second-gen 1 Series is about to be facelifted; see the F20 LCI here.

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Jonathan James Tan

While most dream of the future, Jonathan Tan dreams of the past, although he's never been there. Fantasises much too often about cruising down Treacher Road (Jalan Sultan Ismail) in a Triumph Stag that actually works, and hopes this stint here will snap him back to present reality.

 

Comments

  • jolly_idiot on Sep 30, 2013 at 12:12 pm

    I tot bmw said making a FF is sissy? They’re slapping themselves.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 17 Thumb down 9
    • Are you sure “bmw said making a FF is sissy”? or you are the biggest rumormonger.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 28 Thumb down 5
      • Have a pleasant look. Just click on this link:

        http://adsoftheworld.com/media/print/bmw_frog?size=original

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 3
  • sehtan on Sep 30, 2013 at 12:30 pm

    lol, front wheel drive from a bmw, better buy Proton Suprima S.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 16
  • Terence on Sep 30, 2013 at 1:00 pm

    As earlier email , BMW 1 series is rear wheels drive and for all model , means now become front wheels drive?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 2
  • Eddie on Sep 30, 2013 at 1:03 pm

    Fwd…so omg :( bad news

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • kelso on Sep 30, 2013 at 1:17 pm

    Blasphemy!!! A front wheeled drive BMW?

    Although one can understand why they do it… In terms of packaging, the 1 series does lag behind the rest of the premium hatches. Tight rear room and the cumbersome transmission tunnel. But I’m digressing… Blasphemy I say, Blasphemy!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 1
  • benzs on Sep 30, 2013 at 1:31 pm

    Wow wow wow! Suprima die hard fans again. Omg. Still we compare with P.Sup Rima here.. send it to Jeremy Clarkson n test it at Top Gear circuit. The result will be brilliant! U know it everyone.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 4
    • joing on Sep 30, 2013 at 8:21 pm

      Put same engine power, it can put the the BMW to shame. And Top Gear guys themselves used satria neo to race in one episode. Why not use those bimmers? They are too poor to afford one? LOL

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 2
  • Maserati(Official) on Sep 30, 2013 at 3:20 pm

    It seems like BMW has given up on its small hatches knowing the Mazda 3 will be coming very soon into the market. There’s literally no point for BMW to go head to head with the all new Mazda 3 knowing it will lose on every single department if these 2 cars ever faced off.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 6
  • ABTguy on Sep 30, 2013 at 4:30 pm

    Get the bloody ugly front a plastic surgery before you think about extending the 1-series variant, BMW !!

    Ugly Driving Machine = UDM

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 5
  • kromet on Sep 30, 2013 at 8:25 pm

    I don’t care whether it’s on front or rear, it’s uggllleeeeyyyyyy. Outdated long front hood, (newer cars have short compact front despite powerful engine) and short rear. That’s very imbalance design.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 2
  • norman on Sep 30, 2013 at 10:22 pm

    Almost like 118i but with boot i think.I feel better if they use 1.4T 128hp/220nm

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • sacrilege!!!!!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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