Front-Drive BMW 1 Series Sedan Introduced Exclusively for China
The newest member of BMW’s lineup won’t be heading to the U.S.
BMW has introduced the 1 Series Sedan, which will be exclusively sold in China. According to the German automaker, the 1 Series Sedan “is an exclusive model tailored and aligned to the needs of Chinese customers,” with development and testing of the new car taking place in the BMW headquarters with the involvement of Chinese engineers. Based on the BMW Concept Compact Sedan that premiered at the 2015 Guangzhou Motor Show, the 1 Series Sedan is front-wheel drive and rides on the company’s UKL1 platform that also underpins various MINI models, the BMW X1 and the 2 Series Active Tourer.
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Unfortunately, BMW didn’t disclose exact specifications for the 1 Series Sedan, except that it will be powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder engine. It is likely the same mill used in the MINI Cooper S, X1 and 2 Series Active Tourer, considering the cars all share the same platform.
The choice to not bring the 1 Series Sedan to the U.S. is an interesting one, considering it would be an ideal competitor to the Audi A3 and Mercedes-Benz CLA models, both of which are enjoying success in the market as entry-level, front-wheel-drive luxury sedans.
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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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