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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I tot bmw said making a FF is sissy? They’re slapping themselves.
Are you sure “bmw said making a FF is sissy”? or you are the biggest rumormonger.
Have a pleasant look. Just click on this link:
http://adsoftheworld.com/media/print/bmw_frog?size=original
lol, front wheel drive from a bmw, better buy Proton Suprima S.
As earlier email , BMW 1 series is rear wheels drive and for all model , means now become front wheels drive?
Fwd…so omg :( bad news
Yeah, just like our government, maju maju maju, maju ke depan.
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!
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.
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
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.
Where is your a class? Has it ‘arrived’ yet?
Get the bloody ugly front a plastic surgery before you think about extending the 1-series variant, BMW !!
Ugly Driving Machine = UDM
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.
Almost like 118i but with boot i think.I feel better if they use 1.4T 128hp/220nm
sacrilege!!!!!