[Mark]

BIMMERPOST NEWS

New interior photo of the upcoming China-only BMW 1-Series Sedan

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While the shape and overall styling is what BMW should be offering enthusiasts in the US, the drivetrain layout is not, so there are mixed feelings on the China-only release of the upcoming 1-Series Sedan. There are actually rumors of the car going to Brazil as well (remember the BRICs? -- maybee thats the initial plan of attack for this car if a right-hand-drive version is made?).

In any event, here are some updated photos of the BMW 1-Series Sedan including a new shot of the interior. Looks nice.. Sigh

Just to recap, the 1-Series Sedan ie. F52 will have its premiere at the 2016 Auto Guangzhou (November 19-27). It is a FWD vehicle based on the UKL platform that is under all of BMWs smaller offerings including MINIs, X1, 2-Series AT/GT. So far what is officially announced is that the car is China-only.

It will come in 118i, 120i and 125i flavors powered by a mix of 1.5-2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder engines.

[MSCD]

Nice looking. I guess the US will have to settle for the A3 sedan.... which are all over the place here.... get the fwd deal... but the 1 series would sell. :

[JoeyBananaz18]

I know there are tons of threads on the matter. I like this car, but i don't like the idea of a FWD BMW.... i know i'm going there once again. With the success of the M2, it would be a real shame if this doesn't come out of the pipeline....

http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1286482

As stated above, audi may be a better option. I keep being drawn to the S3.

[MSCD]

And the Audi is based on a Front wheel drive without the Quattro.... as the Quattro is awd I don't know if there is bias but assume not? X-drive 1er would still be fwd bias.... that said doesn't seem to affect X1 sales!

[spuntyb]

Originally Posted by JoeyBananaz18

I know there are tons of threads on the matter. I like this car, but i don't like the idea of a FWD BMW.... i know i'm going there once again. With the success of the M2, it would be a real shame if this doesn't come out of the pipeline....

http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1286482

As stated above, audi may be a better option. I keep being drawn to the S3.

Same. If I were in the market, I'd be all over the S3.

[JohnnyCanuck]

Originally Posted by MSCD

And the Audi is based on a Front wheel drive without the Quattro.... as the Quattro is awd I don't know if there is bias but assume not? X-drive 1er would still be fwd bias.... that said doesn't seem to affect X1 sales!

A3/S3 do not use Audi's outstanding quattro AWD system, but opt for a less expensive Haldex unit. It is FWD biased and, having test driven the S3, it is noticeably so and very disappointing.

[jpnh]

Originally Posted by JohnnyCanuck

A3/S3 do not use Audi's outstanding quattro AWD system, but opt for a less expensive Haldex unit. It is FWD biased and, having test driven the S3, it is noticeably so and very disappointing.

If it came down to a choice of VWAG cars I would probably grab the VW "R" over any of the Audi's

Its recieved great reviews except for ridicule over its FOUR exhaust tips....

[3M TAPE]

I believe this will be Chyna-only initially.
They have to bring this car to the U.S.
I know they will eventually. Maybe next-gen.

[Zirenz2006]

I see it suffers from having that same ridiculous looking shifter as the X1

Aside from that I like the interior and that front end is sharp

[MSCD]

Originally Posted by JohnnyCanuck

A3/S3 do not use Audi's outstanding quattro AWD system, but opt for a less expensive Haldex unit. It is FWD biased and, having test driven the S3, it is noticeably so and very disappointing.

Thanks, wasn't sure. Seems these days you better off having an older car! I deliberately got a NA I6 engine. Would love a manual but wife doesn't drive stick (and that's deal breaker for her)...

Shame about the S3 as on paper looks like a great option. Too small for my needs.
Thanks.

[vladberca]

It better stay in China.
I would like to see a RWD 2 series GC instead of this FWD crap.

[bradleyland]

Originally Posted by Zirenz2006

I see it suffers from having that same ridiculous looking shifter as the X1

Aside from that I like the interior and that front end is sharp

^ this

So, are all UKL cars going to come with this horrible shifter? The monostable shifter design is one of my favorite day-to-day niceties.

[clbmw]

Originally Posted by JoeyBananaz18

I know there are tons of threads on the matter. I like this car, but i don't like the idea of a FWD BMW.... i know i'm going there once again. With the success of the M2, it would be a real shame if this doesn't come out of the pipeline....

http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1286482

As stated above, audi may be a better option. I keep being drawn to the S3.

I still think that imagined 1M / 'M1' Sedan in the other new item is stunning

[Destroya]

The interior looks exactly the same as my X1, no surprise.

[VTECaddict]

Originally Posted by bradleyland

^ this

So, are all UKL cars going to come with this horrible shifter? The monostable shifter design is one of my favorite day-to-day niceties.

The UKL cars use an Aisin sourced transmission that uses a mechanical shifter linkage. No way to use the electronic monostable shifter with it, which I believe is still only offered by ZF.

[ron_jeremy]

Originally Posted by JohnnyCanuck

A3/S3 do not use Audi's outstanding quattro AWD system, but opt for a less expensive Haldex unit. It is FWD biased and, having test driven the S3, it is noticeably so and very disappointing.

And now BMW are doing exactly the same with the UKL platform, branding it "X-drive" but has a cheaper, lighter system with FWD as a base.
UKL is not really a BMW, its a Mini.
The gear selector and transmission, the steering wheel, the drivetrain and AWD system, is inferior to the usual BMW parts. The X1, F48 is all part of this, its really a shame. So the 1 sedan, isn't really a drivers entusiast car, as its been done here, not with the UKL base imo.

[JunkStory]

Originally Posted by JohnnyCanuck

A3/S3 do not use Audi's outstanding quattro AWD system, but opt for a less expensive Haldex unit. It is FWD biased and, having test driven the S3, it is noticeably so and very disappointing.

The facelifted S3 for 2017 can have up to 100% power go to the rear, and doesn't cut power when the rear loses traction. I recommend testing the new one out.

[ewanmac]

Looks nice from the outside but the interior looks poor. Appears far cheaper though could be just the images. The hvac controls and plastics all look lower rent than the 2 series at.

[Zirenz2006]

Originally Posted by VTECaddict

The UKL cars use an Aisin sourced transmission that uses a mechanical shifter linkage. No way to use the electronic monostable shifter with it, which I believe is still only offered by ZF.

That's correct but does it need to be so tall?

It just looks dated and out of place. It could be shorter and the design could be better IMO.

[M3 Number 86]

Originally Posted by JohnnyCanuck

A3/S3 do not use Audi's outstanding quattro AWD system, but opt for a less expensive Haldex unit. It is FWD biased and, having test driven the S3, it is noticeably so and very disappointing.

I didn't know that. Everyone in LA with an S3 loves to think they are in some sort of RS car

[JohnnyCanuck]

Originally Posted by JunkStory

The facelifted S3 for 2017 can have up to 100% power go to the rear, and doesn't cut power when the rear loses traction. I recommend testing the new one out.

It's still a Haldex, not a quattro, unit and at the S3 price point that's not something I'd settle for. The 2 series comes with xDrive (not the UKL platform front bias version mentioned above) and that's much preferable.

[samchoi604]

Originally Posted by JohnnyCanuck

It's still a Haldex, not a quattro, unit and at the S3 price point that's not something I'd settle for. The 2 series comes with xDrive (not the UKL platform front bias version mentioned above) and that's much preferable.

due to the space requirement nature of the torsen quattro, it would not work in the A3/S3 as it would require pushing the engine further to the front, causing the front to be heavier and forcing Audi add more heft (length) to the rear to balance it out, and you would end up with a car with the same size and weight as an A4/S4. I don't think it is a cost-saving decision, but application and form factor that dictated which AWD system is used.

With that said, Haldex is not bad at all and test have shown that Volvos with Haldex has the best grip in snow conditions. It was a test conducted by a german magazine and compared it against all the other types of AWD. If you google around you will find it. Also, Audi's second fastest car to the R8 is the TT RS, which obviously is using Haldex.