Monday 6th June 2011

BMW Unveils New 1-series

Second-gen entry-level BMW hatch revealed ahead of Frankfurt show debut

---

This is the all-new BMW 1-series. The replacement for BMW's entry-level model isn't due to meet the public 'in the metal' until the Frankfurt motor show this autumn, but BMW has already released the full gen on the next 1-series.

The new car will, of course, come in all manner of petrol and diesel guises, ranging from thoroughly sensible tax-friendly and cost-effective diesel and petrol options up to more interesting models. Topping the range will be a turbocharged 128is, with 245hp. Sadly, this blown 2.0-litre four-pot is the replacement for the old 130i's six-cylinder motor, austerity motoring and green pressures being what they are.

Expect the usual complement of bodystyles over the years, but for now the only shape you can get is the five-door hatch, while power is transmitted to the rear wheels (no doubt to the surprise of many of the model's future owners), by a six-speed manual or an eight-speed ZF auto.

What the new 1er also means, of course, is that the just-launched 1-series M coupe is now based around an obsolete model, but then it was only ever going to be a low-volume special at any rate.

Whether the new 1-series, codenamed F20 (BMW ran out of 'E' numbers a little while ago now), will spawn an M-badged spin-off remains to be seen, but since the current 1M was the pet project of Dr Kay Segler, who has now relinquished his position as boss of BMW's M division, the M badge may not make a return to the 1-series. But even if it does, it won't be before the twilight years of the F20's model cycle, so don't expect it for a while yet.

[tomellingham]

Woah that is ugly from the front. That said the 5 series has grown on me so this should do too...

[Bada Bing!]

Good god, it looks like someone's got a hold of it from behind and stretched its face.

The more I look at it the more it looks like some gruesome Chinese replica of itself.

[m3sye]

I like the interior...

[MorrisCRX]

for the botox generation?

[griffo20022]

I definately think BMW are really losing the plot the past couple of years! Not liking there designs at all at the minute!

[911p]

Unbelievably ugly - a high class saloon front end stuck onto a small hatchback body. Doesn't work at all...

[powerhungry]

that is so ugly what are bmw doing sort it out kia ceed looks better than that

[johnpeat]

I have to hand-it to the BMW design department, they've taken a car which is mostly unattractive and made it less so...

The "Scooby Doo" head shape remains but it's face has melted a bit...

It's not all bad - it's not as unspeakably hideous as the X1 - but it's still pretty unattractive.

BMW salesmen must be relieved - from selling what amounted to 3 cars to selling about 300 they need some obvious "well Sir won't be wanting one of those" cars tho eh?

[George H]

Looks like an X1 and a VW Polo combined.

Interior looks nice though.

[richb77]

MY EYES! MY EYES!

[diluculophile]

I wouldn't buy a new 5 on account of it being too ugly. I was never particularly keen on the old 1 series, so as sure as hell is warm, I wouldn't buy this hideous thing.

[DiscoColin]

Has Bangle been rehired or something? She is a bit of a munter I am afraid

[clarkey328is]

Really ugly and no six cylinder engine. But then, it's a boring car for a boring market so that's not really any surprise.

[New Scot]

Ugly and ungainly like the appalling X1 - master stroke (irony). Perhaps they were inspired(?) by the Rodius?

And as it's grown, will we be seeing an "0" series based on the Mini platform any time soon?

[356Speedster]

Oh my god, that is truly horrid. I thought the original 1-Series was ugly, then BM topped themselves with the X1 and now, they're completely outdone themselves with this

Article said:

...while power is transmitted to the rear wheels (no doubt to the surprise of many of the model's future owners)

I think most current owners will be surprised by that fact too.

Article said:

...eight-speed ZF auto.

This is getting silly now. To reach 60mph, it'll probably be need to be wrung out in 4th gear I'd have thought. Surely the car is going to be constantly hunting up & down gears in normal driving?

[Major T]

I've always thought the original 1-series looked great, from the first time I saw it.
This is just 'orrible.

[V100]

Hideous. Utterly hideous. Some of these next-gen Beamers have been quite nice (M3 in white) but in all honestly what the fk goes through Chris Bangle's mind... The Beamers of old were lovely.

[E30M3SE]

Not a good look...... in the pictures, at least.

[Bonefish Blues]

I like it.

There, I've said it (again).

[Denorth]

comparing to this original 1-series looks cuddly
did they suddenly remember E46 and decided to repeat it??