- Before its official unveiling in June and public debut in September at the Frankfurt show, the second-generation 1 Series hatchback is previewed in this unofficial rendering.
- The 2012 1 Series hatchback will bow with a choice of new direct-injection four-cylinder turbocharged gasoline and diesel engines, mated to either a six-speed manual or a ZF eight-speed automatic.
- The redesigned 1 Series is slightly longer and wider than the original, with more space for rear passengers.
MUNICH, Germany — Ahead of its official unveiling in June and public debut in September at the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show, the 2012 BMW 1 Series hatchback has been previewed in an unofficial rendering posted by Germany's AutoBild.de and widely distributed in Europe.
There currently are no plans to sell the redesigned 1 Series three- and five-door hatchbacks in the U.S. The next-generation 1 Series coupe and convertible are due in 2012 as 2013 models and will be marketed in the U.S. and Europe.
According to advance information circulating on various European Web sites, the 2012 1 Series hatchback is slightly longer and wider than the original, with more space for rear passengers. Styling changes are evolutionary, with longer rear doors to enable easier access.
It will go on sale in Europe late this year with a choice of new direct-injection four-cylinder turbocharged gasoline and diesel engines, mated to either a six-speed manual or a ZF eight-speed automatic. A stop-start system will be standard. Variants include 116i and 118i (gasoline) and 116d and 118d (diesel). A hybrid version is said to be in the pipeline.
The 2012 1 Series will be offered in two versions, Urban Line and Sports Line, according to media reports, with unique wheels, trim and colors available for each. Among the high-tech options will be lane-departure warning, park assist, a rearview camera and traffic-sign detection.
An M Sport package will be available, as well as a comfort package with 17-inch run-flat tires.
Inside Line says: Not quite as goofy-looking as the original, this new 1er hatch might actually appeal to some younger American buyers.
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milio says:
04:30 PM, 07/14/2011
I just returned from Munich and you can actually go to BMW World and buy any BMW with any combination of colors (some are not optional here), and with any available option for that model (doesn't have to be a package). And guess what? It's cheaper to buy it there - considering a roundtrip ticket, hotel, and shipping - than it would be to buy it here in the states! They will also make it according to US standards. You have to drive it over 100 kilometers to ship it as "used" and not pay specific taxes associated with new cars here. Cars are more expensive in Germany but it deals with taxes and emissions laws so you probably have a short period of time to drive it and ship it.
You know where I messed up? I didn't ask about the 1series hatchback! I can always call to check. I know they sold them with the 330i 255hp in UK but I wonder if they make them with the 335i engines...either way, I want to get one when I go back!
kbmoto says:
12:37 PM, 05/28/2011
Just drove one of these for a week and a half around the UK.
Diesel w/ 6 speed.
An awesome 47mpg.
As we were in the UK, the right hand drive makes fluid shifting a little scetchy at times i'm sure a LH drive would be more of a dream to drive.
My US daily driver is a 3500 Chevy Duramax Dually which gets about 18.5 mpg average, so you can imagine the contrast.
I love a challange! and I love diesels!
Seriously though. Considering the fuel situation here. 47 mpg can't be touched by most compacts.
So, why aren't these vehicles here in the states?
And why do our automakers claim there is no market for these clean diesels?
Any ideas?
90in55 says:
09:18 PM, 05/17/2011
@openeyes1,
I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for hatchbacks to get a foothold here. Just take a look at the most classic example, the Volkswagen Golf. Considered the finest small car in Europe by far, but you'd be hard pressed to find one on an American street if you searched for a whole week. The laughably inferior Jetta outsells the Golf by a HUGE margin here in the US. For some odd reason, American drivers still associate hatches with cheapness or being a sissy. This is all the more puzzling when you consider that popular CUVs are hatchbacks, too. In high heels.
openeyes1 says:
05:29 PM, 05/17/2011
@speedynk; Hopefully this will be one of many 5-doors Hatchbacks that come to our shores, and once again the driving public will understand the benifits of these vehicles ,and why they dominate European sales.
speedynk says:
01:57 PM, 05/17/2011
Looks a lot better than the earlier model...they are thick on the ground in Europe,mainly diesels.I always thought the proportions where a bit weird ,there a lot of better looking hatches from the European makers we never see in the US.
90in55 says:
12:29 PM, 05/17/2011
@fonzie,
You're fortunate to have both a 135i and GTI in your garage. It shouldn't be a surprise that the 135i is a much better car. The VW has a base price below $25K, while that of the 135i can balloon to the mid-40's. I would think that the 128i would make it a fairer fight against the VW.
fonzie says:
11:23 AM, 05/17/2011
Well there is no argument on the absurdity of BMW's pricing from me. That's why I only buy CPO now. 2-3 years old and you can save $15k-$20k with remaining free maintenance and an extended warranty. I bought my '06 Z4Coupe in '08, drove it for 2 full years and never spent a penny on it other than gas...can't beat that. Wife is in the same situation with her '08 135i now. But yeah, the thought of dropping $45k or more on the entry model is insanity! Yet they continue to keep moving them. I'll tell you one thing, we have the 135 and a GTI in our stable right now, and I know someone mentioned the GTI being a competitor, but it's not even close. I'm not talking power wise either as that's a given. It's doesn't take a long back-to-back drive to realize why the BMW costs so much more. The feel, refinement, comfort and just overall more solid structure is easily noticeable. The 1 series is a very nice car, and to be honest, I hate when people consider any brands smallest car "entry level" (even though I just did it. lol) I'm not interested in the 1 series because it's the cheapest...I can afford a CPO 3 or 5 if I wanted them...I'm interested because I like small cars. Guess that puts me in the minority over here though. I really wish American's could start separating small and cheap. All I want is a 1 hatch with all the luxury of the 7 in an affordable price...is that too much to ask for? :)
roscoe108 says:
09:40 AM, 05/17/2011
Cost aside, I think the 1-er hatch would be a great car, and BMW does very good things with turbodiesels (drove a 123d in France last year - awesome engine). But I agree with the sentiments being voiced here: BMW is getting retarded with their pricing and runs the risk of pricing themselves right out of the North American market for small cars. This isn't nearly as much of a problem in Europe and elsewhere, since BMW's range of engines and options is designed to fit a much broader swath of household budgets than it is here.
aston_dbs says:
08:00 AM, 05/17/2011
Ah....
Another brilliant 'nickel and dime' principals from BMW for suckers...
When it comes out, probably will cost $40k<, like the 1-series...
A profitable joke (ONLY) for BMW... ;-)
blueguydotcom says:
07:40 AM, 05/17/2011
@g35dxc - you may "think" the 1 series doesn't sell well but you're wrong. BMW USA moved 13000 copies of the 1 series in 2011; that's on par with the 7 series and far better than the 6 series coupe, X3 and Z4. So for its coupe-only models, the 1 is the decided leader in sales. Only the 3 coupe sells in higher number.
The 1 is designed to pull younger buyers into the BMW fold. In europe it competes with the GTI and A3.
Oh and worldwide, the 1 is a smash for BMW. In 2009 they moved over 200,000 versions of the 1.