The BMW 1 Series is, in fundamental ways, an explicit attempt by BMW to return to its small sport sedan roots in the niche created by the legendary 2002. In fact, the 2008 1 Series two-door that first came to America is, at 171.6 inches long, right between a 1971 2002 with light-duty bumpers and the 1976 2002, which had federally mandated 5-mph bumpers. Of course every 2002 had a four-cylinder engine, while the BMW 1 Series in America started off with nothing but sixes.
While the 1 Series didn't make it to America until 2008 (as a two-door and convertible), it entered production in Germany in 2004 as a five-door hatchback. Unlike virtually all the other cars in this compact class, the 1 Series isn't a front-driver. Instead, in traditional BMW fashion, the engine sits in front, with a transmission bolted to it that feeds the rear wheels. Look at the BMW 1 Series specifications and, except for its size, it's built like the other BMWs.
Since the BMW 1 Series is sized like a classic BMW and engineered like a modern one, it's no surprise that it's styled like a BMW, too. So there's the signature "Hofmeister kink" in the 1 Series coupe's greenhouse near the trailing edge. And the grille has two big kidney openings at its center. However, as it's a smaller car, many critics criticized the original BMW 1 Series styling as being awkwardly proportioned.
And it should be no surprise that the BMW 1 Series performs very much like other BMWs. That means if all the option boxes are checked, there will be enough electronic nanny technologies aboard that the only way the driver will get in trouble is to carry too much credit card debt.
Otherwise the 1 Series rewards its driver with sublime handling, a controlled ride and the eerie sensation that there are engineers in Bavaria who have downloaded his automotive hopes and desires and translated them into the engine's computerized fuel map. The BMW 1 Series may not have the ultimate composure of some larger BMWs, but otherwise it's fully a match for them.
