New BMW 1 Series Spied Wearing Various Production Pieces
The next-generation BMW 1 Series has resurfaced, wearing its new production headlights and tail lights.
Unfortunately camouflage is still concealing the rest of the car’s design and styling, but we can see up front the 1 Series will get more angular headlights compared to the current model. Overall, don’t expect the compact model to look drastically different, but the front end should take inspiration from the current 5 Series. Changes to the rear aim to give the new BMW 1 Series a sportier profile.
SEE ALSO: Spy Photos Reveal the New BMW 1 Series’ Interior
The biggest changes will be underneath the sheetmetal, with the new 1 Series riding on BMW’s UKL platform, which is front-wheel drive and is currently used by MINI. Don’t be surprised to see all-wheel-drive variants however.
The model will reportedly share engines with the current MINI and BMW X1 models, which means three- and four-cylinder powerplants. The platform will also allow the new 1 Series to take advantage of a plug-in hybrid powertrain featuring a 1.5-liter engine paired to a compact electric motor.
The new BMW 1 Series is expected to go on sale around late 2018 or early 2019, but don’t expect to see the hatchback version in North America. There is a possibility that the sedan variant will be offered, giving the upcoming Mercedes-Benz A-Class sedan, Mercedes-Benz CLA, and Audi A3 more competition.
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Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.
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