- The new-gen 1 Series will move to front-wheel-drive architecture.
- It's been confirmed that the M135i xDrive has a powerful four-cylinder engine putting out 304bhp.
- Should also make its way to India.
BMW has teased the second-generation 1 Series hatchback undergoing its final testing at their proving ground in Miramas, Southern France. The Bavarian carmaker is testing the agility and dynamics of the new-gen 1 Series which now moves to BMW’s UKL front-wheel-drive platform.
The previous generation 1 Series hatchback, which was also on sale in India between 2013 and 2017, had a rear-wheel-drive configuration. So when shifting to the new UKL architecture, BMW claims that the 1 Series hatch retains its driving dynamics, whilst also offering significantly more space inside.
The 1 hatch will also benefit from ARB technology (actuator contiguous wheel slip limitation) used in the i3. The ARB is a slip control system which is positioned directly in the engine control unit instead of being connected to the control unit for the DSC function. So this helps in passing the information three times faster, with drivers experiencing it up to ten times faster, claims BMW. This limits wheel slip significantly, thus reducing understeer which is usually experienced with front-wheel drive vehicles. Apart from that, BMW Performance Control (the yaw moment distribution system) also comes as standard and it increases the agility of the hatchback through dynamic brake intervention. And the torsional stiffness of the body is enhanced by the use of additional struts.
The new 1 Series is also more spacious, says BMW, thanks to the new front-wheel-drive architecture with transverse engines. So the legroom for rear-seat passengers has increased by 33mm and headroom at the back by 19mm while the luggage compartment capacity has increased by 20 litres to 380 litres.
Under the hood, the 1 Series gets the most powerful four-cylinder engine from BMW in the M135i xDrive guise. The 2.0-litre turbo-petrol puts out 306 horsepower and comes with a reinforced crank drive, new pistons and conrods, a larger exhaust turbocharger as well as optimised fuel injection valves.
The new-gen BMW 1 Series will lock horns with the likes of other performance hatchbacks like Mercedes-Benz A-Class, Audi A3, Volkswagen Golf, Renault Clio and Ford Focus. It might also make its way to our shores after it goes on sale in the international markets.
