Purists Be Damned - BMW Moving Next Gen 1-Series To FWD - AWD M1 To Follow

The BMW 1 Series has always been a hit in the UK, ranking as 2013’s ninth best-selling car, with 41,883 finding homes. But despite its success, the company is planning a complete rethink for the next generation of its sporty, rear-drive hatch, due in 2018. Our exclusive image shows how the car could look and there are more pics in this week's Auto Express magazine.

Following the lead of its Audi A3 and Mercedes A-Class rivals (both also set for replacement in 2018), the MkIII 1 Series will be front-wheel drive, with more powerful versions featuring xDrive four-wheel drive. 

GermanNut - 6/9/2014 2:02:05 PM

+2 Boost

Ahhh of course! BMW continues to sell out on its core brand philosophies in the name of greater sales. Mercedes-Benz and Audi say join the club!

BMW realizes its days atop the global sales leader board are definitely numbered if it doesn't follow in the FWD tradition of Audi and now Mercedes-Benz.

DTMFan - 6/9/2014 2:23:09 PM

+3 Boost

Meanwhile Audi saddles itself to FWD and AWD, refusing to admit that RWD might actually enable them to offer a better driving experience....

.. and Mercedes just does whatever they want.

The BMW 1 series barely existed a decade ago. It's not that big of a change for it to go FWD.

.. when the 3 series goes FWD, then you know there is a problem. Then it will only be as good as an A4.

quizz - 6/9/2014 10:55:58 PM

+1 Boost

Actually, there is a HUGE problem for 3 series because the most recent survey of 1 series owner showed that 80% of owners thought the 1 series was FWD! http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/motoring/1-series-owners-think-its-fwd

I'm certain a survey of 3 series owner will bear similar results. This being the case, it's clear that most consumers don't care, don't know and don't want to know the difference between FWD and RWD.

rumnyc - 6/9/2014 9:46:00 PM

+1 Boost

everyone has awd for perf models and rwd for budget models. fwd are cheaper to make and allow more interior room, especially in the back due to lack of a transmission tunnel. for perf there will be awd.

ParadoX - 6/9/2014 11:34:48 PM

+3 Boost

The Ford Fiesta is FWD, yet it is a real joy to drive. I am confident that BMW engineers can make the 1 series fun with FWD.

TheSteve - 6/10/2014 12:19:49 AM

+2 Boost

BMW marketing material used to wax eloquent about RWD being superior to FWD. That's when BMW made only RWD vehicles.

BMW marketing material used to wax eloquent about normally aspirated engines being superior to turbos. That's when BMW made only normally aspirated engines.

It seems that BMW, like Microsoft, is always the best. They just change their opinion on what's best ;-)

MattDarringer - 6/10/2014 9:19:07 AM

+1 Boost

The 1 Series coupe we had in the USA was a tiny cramped mess that cost as much as a 3 Series. An FWD 1 Series--I'd have called it the 2002--is a great move.

CarCrazedinCali - 6/10/2014 12:44:40 PM

+1 Boost

Be careful BMW with canabalistic potential in markets where a fwd 1er will hurt or kill MINI appeal.

MattDarringer - 6/14/2014 11:13:17 AM

0 Boost

Not even! If anything Mini would not need to profusion of models and that would protect the core value of te brand.