BMW's FWD 1-series model based on the FWD UKL platform has been spotted for the first time! The UKL platform is a FWD platform which the FWD 1-series will share with the next generation of MINIs (which coincidentally [or not] was also spied testing for the first time today).
The FWD 1-series will come in a traditional 5-door hatchback, a sporting estate model, and a gran touring version (pictured here). They've been referred to by insider
Scott26 as the "
City Compact," the "
F.A.S.T. Family Activity Sports Tourer," and the "
GT". The rumored upcoming Z2 roadster will also be spawned off the UKL platform.
The FWD 1-series will join the rest of the 1-series lineup which in the next generation will include the F20 5-door sporthatch and the F21 3-door sporthatch, both of which will retain their RWD drivetrains. The F22 coupe and F23 cabrio are speculated to be badged as 2-series. For a breakdown of the next generation 1-series and 2-series models, see
this recent post.
These new entry-level BMWs are scheduled to hit showrooms sometime in 2013.
Will they be destined for the US? Yes. Ian Robertson (BMW AG's board member for sales and marketing), interviewed at the Paris auto show last year, confirmed that the vehicles will have a four-cylinder engine in the United States at launch. The new family of small cars is expected to be introduced in the next few years – before the launch of BMW's megacity electric car
BMW i3 due 2013, he said. Robertson expected significant volume from the small car lineup, with sales of 100,000 vehicles worldwide a year, he said.
And how will they perform? If MINIs are any judge, these should not be considered "entry level" performance wise, but serious, refined, sporting engined cars.
Some past renders of the FWD 1-series models:
