2017 BMW 1-Series
Making the transition from the Compact
Sedan Concept to the BMW 1-Series Sedan, Bavaria's smallest four-door model is
finally here. Designed, developed and built solely in
the People's Republic by the brand's local joint venture, BMW Brilliance
Automotive, the vehicle has mostly remained faithful to the study, design-wise,
carrying a more toned-down look in the front, larger side mirrors and wheels
that are more suitable for real-world driving.
Despite becoming official, the BMW
1-Series Sedan is not ready to reveal all of its secrets just yet, though word
on the street has it that it rides on the UKL1 platform, the same one that
underpins the 2-Series Active Tourer and Gran Tourer and the latest-gen X1.
This means that front-wheel drive is standard and the xDrive all-wheel drive is
probably part of the options list. Also, we should expect to see the usual crop
of 3- and 4-cylinder turbo'd diesel and petrol mills as the two MPVs.
As BMW's fifth model to be produced in
China, it doesn’t stand a chance to be offered outside of this market, but
before heading over to the competition to check out the Mercedes-Benz CLA or
the Audi A3 Sedan, we have to remind you that Bavaria might have an ace up its
sleeve in the form of a 2-Series Gran Coupe, which could be rear-wheel
drive-based and come in a range-topping M2 variant as well.
