[Mark]

Thanks to the boys at spyshots.nl as they've caught the new 1-series out in the cold Scandinavian testing area.

The car continues to be heavily camo'd but the car is now solidly in the BMW development cycle. As you may remember, the car was previously seen as a mule riding on the current 1-series body, then a camo'd prototype was seen driving around the streets on Munich. With more development under the car's belt, it has now been moved for cold climate testing.

So far little is known about what the car will ultimatly represent. There have been whispers of thin LEDs and large circular foglights upfront (ala X1). There have also been rumors that the car will be generally increased in size as to fill a gap that has come up now that the 3 series has upsized a little bit. The upsized 1-series would benefit from the latest in BMW technology including the latest engines and an xDrive variant.











Source: http://www.spyshots.nl/SpyShots/Nieu...esten?fotoid=2

[Technic]

Is this the new BMW RAV4?

[wakeboarder109]

Originally Posted by Technic

Is this the new BMW RAV4?

haha, idk about this idea of the hatchback 1er. The coupe looks great imo.

[Year1of1]

must be the new model year for the European 1 series since they've had the hatchback on the market for some time.

Personally, i dont think the hatchback will survive in America -

[numba1guju]

the only reason this hatchback looks bad is bec of its camo, the hatchback in general is brilliant, and its like a rocket when its tuned


but doubt we ever get it in the US

[EOX007]

I was surprised that the USA only has the coupe version of the 1.
You don't see that model very often in Europe.

My favorite still is the Sporthatch:


But the Hatch is fantastic as well:




I Can't wait to see the new model

[Steve325xi]

BMW should produce a 1 series four-door sedan for the U.S. I remember seeing a spy pic of one in winter testing, but that was a looong time ago. It looked pretty good. A 135i sedan would rock. It could be even better than the e30, IMO.

[numba1guju]

Originally Posted by Steve325xi

BMW should produce a 1 series four-door sedan for the U.S. I remember seeing a spy pic of one in winter testing, but that was a looong time ago. It looked pretty good. A 135i sedan would rock. It could be even better than the e30, IMO.

that would be the most crammed sedan ever, there would be little to no leg room in the back...and the doors would have to be suicide/clam shell(rx8) so thats a def NO!

[BrokenVert]

I hope this thing doesnt end up looking like a smaller version of the 7er/5er/ and I fear the new 3er will look like...

Because right now...it does.

[13749032]

It is an update to the eu version 1er hatchback. They are all over the place here in germany.

[Remonster]

Originally Posted by numba1guju

that would be the most crammed sedan ever, there would be little to no leg room in the back...and the doors would have to be suicide/clam shell(rx8) so thats a def NO!

In Europe they sell a five door hatch, I fail to see how lowering the roof over the trunk while keeping it essentially the same over the passenger compartment would hurt interior space too much. I've always liked the European 1 series hatchbacks, I wish they would give them a chance in North America.

[Xyloft]

how are the Volvo C30 and Audi A3 selling here?

if gas goes back up to + $4 a gallon I think hatches would catch on. they are rediculously more pratical.

[r53s65e90]

135i xDrive 4 door hatch for the US pretty please!

[Steve325xi]

Originally Posted by numba1guju

that would be the most crammed sedan ever, there would be little to no leg room in the back...and the doors would have to be suicide/clam shell(rx8) so thats a def NO!

Huh? BMW already makes a four-door (well, actually, five door) 1 series! There's a photo posted in this thread. And take a close look at the camo'd car above. No clam-shell doors needed. The five-door 1 doesn't have the most spacious rear, but it's not too bad.

Remember, the e30 didn't have much leg room in the back either...

[vladberca]

i'm just curious about the performances of the new turbo petrol engines! can t wait the production release!

[rawbert54]

I dont mind hatchbacks, but they dont have a perception of luxury in the USA. I wonder how well the audi A3 is selling. It would probably be the closest luxury hatch competitor here.

I personally prefer sedan or coupe to hatch because the added storage area you get is minimal.

[DUH CAR]

Has anybody seen a leaked BMW production schedule for the F20?

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by rawbert54

I dont mind hatchbacks, but they dont have a perception of luxury in the USA. I wonder how well the audi A3 is selling. It would probably be the closest luxury hatch competitor here.

I personally prefer sedan or coupe to hatch because the added storage area you get is minimal.

Really? My M Coupe can carry a box, a keg and all sorts of other things my 135i coupe can't even consider carrying. I would have much preferred a 5 door to the coupe. If the 5 GT wasn't so pitifully ugly, it would be a nearly ideal solution for me.

I'm not sure how well the A3 has done, for me it's too close to the GTI, yet it's had fewer updates and just seems a little dated, and a little too expensive.