With Audi and Mercedes-Benz both gaining a foothold in the premium compact-sedan segment, courtesy of their A3 sedan and CLA, respectively, BMW is planning to jump on the bandwagon with a sub-3 Series sedan as well. Sporting the 1 Series Sedan moniker, the future BMW model will take over from the 3 Series as the company’s entry level sedan when it goes on sale. A pre-production prototype of the model was recently spied cold-weather testing in the northern parts of Scandinavia, where most German carmakers establish testing bases during the winter season.
Being a smaller sedan than the 3 Series is not the only novelty that the new model brings, as it is also the first ever BMW sedan with front-wheel-drive, something that the brand’s die-hard aficionados will certainly frown upon. Based on the UKL architecture, the new BMW 1 Series Sedan will share its underpinnings with the 2 Series Active Tourer and Gran Tourer, next 1 Series hatchback, next X1 and every future Mini model.
Apart from FWD, which will be standard on most lower-powered versions, a FWD-based all-wheel-drive system will also be available either as an extra or as standard when paired with the top engines. Speaking of which, the engine lineup will likely vary from a 1.5-liter three-cylinder mill to 2,0-liter four-cylinders – both gasoline and diesel - all of them being turbocharged and paired either with a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic transmission.
Continue reading to learn more about BMW’s FWD plans.
BMW 1 Series Sedan Caught Winter Testing: Spy Shots originally appeared on topspeed.com on Tuesday, 3 March 2015 18:00 EST.
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