[Jason]

BIMMERPOST NEWS

FWD BMW 1-series GT Model Spotted for First Time!

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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:

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[red-sauerkraut]

I like the Crimson Red Render myself...

As long as it's Turbocharged w/ xDrive then I'm in!

[SCOTT26]

That's the Gran Turismo Compactive Sport Tourer.

[James T. Kirk]

Very Golf-y looking.

[termigni]

Originally Posted by jmikeh

oh for crying out loud...

I can see it now:

1 Series GT CST S-Drive 28i FWD

don't forget the..

1 Series GT CST S-Drive FWD ///M

[and 1]

Originally Posted by jmikeh

oh for crying out loud...

I can see it now:

1 Series GT CST S-Drive 28i FWD

f-Drive?

[v1p3r]

Originally Posted by jmikeh

oh for crying out loud...

I can see it now:

1 Series GT CST S-Drive 28i FWD

A couple of years ago people were talking about the Progressive Activity Sedan, or PAS for short. It's an internal codename during development. It ended up being called the 5er GT.

No doubt this will have the same nomenclature when revealed, something with the series name with a model badge such as 128i GT

[Master Deep]

Looks like a Scion xD.

[DooBs]

just a thought... 2-series?

[RL530xit]

I don't understand what the big deal is over the new FWD cars is. It's not like BMW is going to stop making the RWD cars we've loved and continue to love. Let them make cars for the people who want FWD as they make cars for those of us who want the RWD ones...

[Diver]

A big Mini with a roundel.

[eMvy]

That's by far one of the ugliest BMW camos I've seen but the renders aren't too bad.

[makdeniss]

I personally welcome the new changes in adding new model designations.

[mtla4]

Future failure. IMO this car is just like the Mercedes B class. MB is about to pull the plug on those. That B class has the same lay out FWD pseudo luxury. Good luck to Bmw with those. IMO they should work on the Mini lineup as it sells pretty well and has some nice models right now and upcoming ones.

[silentassasin]

This looks like a Ford Focus hatch back. Ugly.

[-=Hot|Ice=-]

BMW is officially dead to me.

[NL-J]

Not feeling it either, bah Too many models, 1 series, 2 series, 3 series, 4 series etc. and then adding a family something crap tourer, FWD, yuck. I don't think even Mercedes has this many models? Think I'll better save up for a Porsche.

Btw. to mtla4, Mercedes is working on a new B class, hideous imo,

You probably mean the A class, that'll be totally redesigned,

[Evice]

Reminded me of Merc A-B Class

[mtla4]

Originally Posted by NL-J

Not feeling it either, bah Too many models, 1 series, 2 series, 3 series, 4 series etc. and then adding a family something crap tourer, FWD, yuck. I don't think even Mercedes has this many models? Think I'll better save up for a Porsche.

Btw. to mtla4, Mercedes is working on a new B class, hideous imo,

You probably mean the A class, that'll be totally redesigned,

I really meant B class my cousin and my friend both bought that car for their gf. One has a B200 the other B200T needless to say garbage. For the money I'd rather drive a fully loaded mazda 3 with leather, accord or something else. Weak engine, soso materials, ugly styling. Why do they need to make them look like minivans. This also applies to the 1er. How about making a fuel miser 1series that could be the same size as a Versa, Yaris, Fit. A fuel miser for the rich or wannabes. I would maybe buy one a luxury fuel miser with a same engine and some room. Mercedes does it with it's smart.

[positiveions]

entry level BMW; kind of what the 318ti was in the nineties.

[NL-J]

Originally Posted by mtla4

I really meant B class my cousin and my friend both bought that car for their gf. One has a B200 the other B200T needless to say garbage. For the money I'd rather drive a fully loaded mazda 3 with leather, accord or something else. Weak engine, soso materials, ugly styling. Why do they need to make them look like minivans. This also applies to the 1er. How about making a fuel miser 1series that could be the same size as a Versa, Yaris, Fit. A fuel miser for the rich or wannabes. I would maybe buy one a luxury fuel miser with a same engine and some room. Mercedes does it with it's smart.

Those van like cars are seriously ugly indeed. For that fuel miser with some room, I'd think that's what the Mini Countryman is for? I'm not getting all these upcoming models from BMW.

Originally Posted by eatrach73

entry level BMW; kind of what the 318ti was in the nineties.

The E36 compact was sort of a hatchback version of the regular E36, like the current 1 series hatchback. The 1 series family something crap tourer is more like a people carrier I think, German magazine Auto Motor & Sport names it a van. Probably just like that hideous Mercedes B class

[greekcs]

"OH MAN, THAT IS NASTY"