BMW is getting ready to unveil its third-generation BMW 1-Series and
I know what you thinking, "We already have three generations of three
series."
Well, you'd be forgiven for thinking that. But it's not true. The F20 has been around since 2011, in car years that's a very long time.
https://twitter.com/BMWGroup/status/1128944488238452736
BMW gave the current F20 a drastic facelift in 2015. That facelift was so drastic it could be confused for a new model. But it was not, despite the drastic changes to the exterior the car underneath remained more or less the same.
Now the third gen 1-Series is completely new. And when looking at what the new BMW 1-Series is bringing it is understandable why BMW is taking time its sweet time before unveiling this car.
The third generation is ditching its unique longitudinal engine, rear wheel drive set-up for a traditional transverse, front wheel drive set-up.
Since its introduction 8 years ago what has made the BMW 1-series special is unlike its rivals like the Mercedes-Benz A-Class, Audi A3 and the Volkswagen Golf the 1-Series was a tyre shredding, rear wheel drive champion.
With all that set to change BMW had to work really hard to ensure that the new 1-Series remains special to drive even with the FWD set-up. Its rivals have had time to perfect the FWD formula.
But BMW has a trick up its sleeve. They've also had time to work on the FWD, Minis, 2-Series Active Tourer and even the X1 share the same FWD platform.
And BMW is already working on a fast 1-Series. We've already seen the M135i testing at the Nordschleife.
This is because unlike the current top of the range BMW 1-Series. The upcoming model topper will use a four-pot engine instead of the 6-pot. Same set-up as found in the newly introduced X2 M35i.
Its 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine produces 225kW and 450Nm of torque. It uses an 8-Speed to send power to all wheels via xDrive. Can't wait for the drag races between Audi S3 and Merc's A35 AMG and the M135i xDrive.
In the teaser posts, BMW has been posting on social media we see that the upcoming model we see that the new car has a short snout, thanks to the transverse set-up.
https://twitter.com/BMW/status/1128943181507256320
The set up should also free up some needed rear leg room. Something the old 1-Series always came short on. We see that the new 1 will also get the same digital instrumentation introduced in the 8-Series.
