BMW has officially revealed the next generation of its 1-Series hatchback. The car now comes strictly front-driven, benefits from a new architecture, and has a new premium trim version.
The One-Series has made a permanent switch to the FAAR car platform already in use by the latest BMW X1/X2 and MINI Countryman. As such, it now measures 4,319 millimeters (14.17 ft.) long, 1,799 mm (5.9 ft.) wide and 1,434 mm (4.7 ft.) tall with 2,670 mm (8.76 ft.) separating the axles.
Compared to the previous generation, the new BMW 1-Series sports a different radiator grille and narrow-slit headlights (LED-based in higher trim versions). It also features a different kind of Hofmeister kink in front along with slightly reshaped general outlines.
The base trim will ship with an 8.8-inch infotainment system and a same-sized fully digital instrument panel.
The new top trim is called M135i xDrive. It comes armed with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine reportedly good for 306 hp (228 kW) and 450 Hm (332 lb×ft) of torque. This is the most powerful four-cylinder engine in the entire BMW lineup. The car sprints to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.8 seconds, and opting for the M Performance package reduces this time by a further one-tenth of a second.
The more mundane BMW 1-Series trims ship with a choice between a 1.5-liter turbocharged gasoline engine capable of 140 hp (104 kW) and several diesel units rated between 116 and 191 hp (87 – 142 kW).
BMW says it will begin processing pre-orders in a few days. The actual cars won’t hit the showrooms until at least September 2019, though.
Photos: BMW