It would appear that development of the upcoming F52 BMW 1 Series Sedan has gained a fair bit of momentum as a prototype of the car was recently shot lapping the fabled Nurburgring circuit. For those who are unfamiliar, the new model will represent BMW’s latest attempt at gunning down the likes of the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class and Audi A3 Sedan.
The F52 BMW 1 Series Sedan will, reportedly, ride on the UKL platform that currently underpins several MINI models as well as front-wheel drive BMWs. As a result, the new sedan is likely to be front-wheel drive with the possibility of xDrive four-wheel drive being offered as an option on higher-specced models.
As for powertrain options, the 1.5 litre, turbocharged three-cylinder engine found in current F56 MINI Cooper will most likely feature alongside the B48 2.0 litre, turbocharged four-cylinder mill from the Cooper S. A six-speed manual, six-speed and eight-speed automatic gearboxes would be the most likely candidates.
With development already so far in, expect a world debut for the F52 BMW 1 Series Sedan to take place some time later this year before going on sale in early 2016. Should it arrive in Malaysia, expect it to cost around the RM200,000 region in order for it to match up against its Audi and Mercedes-Benz counterparts.
Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.
Awesome !
is it really necessary to test a family sedan at the ring? If it’s an M model then it’s fine but a not a family car.
firstly, its a bmw… they are all tested on the ring. the ring is not just a race track.. it is an exceptional road course with many different conditions that can really test a cars chassis to the limit. Someone once asked a bmw engineer, why build a car that can go over 200km/h when most roads in the world allow you to only drive at 110km/h.. the engineer said simply, if we can make a car safe to drive at over 200km/h, imagine how will the car be at 110 km/h.
its not a bmw..its a mini cooper in a bmw body
a front wheel drive bmw sedan that nobody wanted….