1 Series [Spyshots] BMW 1-Series Sedan

[martinbo]

Can someone tell me what are the official or business reasons to base this car on the Active tourer platform and not on the much more natural candidate that is the F20 ?

It's their new MINImal approach.

 

[Rolf]

Outside it looks almost as big as an E90, possibly same as E46 but it's quite wide and has similar rear aspects to the E90 as well. Short rear overhang but long overhang in front, due to its FWD layout (which most of you guys dislike including myself judging by the interesting debate going on here) certainly not well proportioned like other BMW saloons, the bonnet line also seems very high (maybe due to using the 2 Active Tourer underpinnings). It's styling in the front reminds me of the 2005 Volvo S40.

Interior is a big letdown initially judging by these pics it seems very plasticky and of low quality, not much bright work on the center console and by the passenger side. I don't like that cheap looking gearshift certainly looks less distinctive than the current metallic finish one used. A/C and radio controls looks very similar to 3 series and 2 AT.

Powertrain layout if FWD positives and negatives:

Positives:
1) cost effective by sharing internals with MINI and 2 AT. But this is debatable as I still believe sharing with a 3/5 series modular RWD layout will be more cost effective as more 3 and 5 series models are sold yearly than Mini and 2 AT.
2) improved passenger space
3) possibly lighter due to no rear drive layout.

Negatives:
1) will not be as good to drive as RWD layout due to many reasons noted by Giannis above.
2) styling compromised by FWD layout and can't be common with the other BMW saloons by having short front overhangs (giving unique sportier proportions)
3) Possibly won't use 6 cylinder engines unless has 4WD which will add unwanted weight and will also be compromised compared to RWD layout in driving dynamics.
4) it loses the only RWD chassis in this class and unique driving dynamics, making it common to its rivals in using transverse FWD layout.
5) weight distribution effected due to FWD layout the car will not use common BMW saloon 50/50 front to rear weight split.

 

[SKY]

Looks quite early to judge but, based on these spy pics, at least the interior does not seem to top VAG offering on this segment. Right now the A3 has the most premium interior of the group by a mile. Floowed by the Golf. BMW and MB should take note and upgrade their interiors, as the A-Class has an infamous interior in terms of quality too.

 

[SCOTT27]

The dash on this prototype is illustrating a base specification in which you can see via the iDrive monitor in its base form.
It is too early to read into quality issues as these are prototypes but this model will receive certain specification hand downs from the next 7er. Including the latest in ConnectedDrive and the media split interface.
You cannot judge the finished interior in terms of quality or layout in this photograph.
I thought many of you would know this by now.

 

[Betty Swollocks]

You cannot judge the finished interior in terms of quality or layout in this photograph.
I thought many of you would know this by now.

Oh come on. It's not rocket science. The dash quality is going to be the same as the 2er Active Tourer. The layout looks similar too. It's so predictable.

 

[SKY]

The dash on this prototype is illustrating a base specification in which you can see via the iDrive monitor in its base form.
It is too early to read into quality issues as these are prototypes but this model will receive certain specification hand downs from the next 7er. Including the latest in ConnectedDrive and the media split interface.
You cannot judge the finished interior in terms of quality or layout in this photograph.
I thought many of you would know this by now.

What we know is that it is always the same patern. An interior is shown on the spy pics, and if it disappoints, you read the standard "this is just a test mule, mind the final quality is not there..." blablabla mate.We can all figure it out how it is gonna look, and there is already a FWD BMW with the same interior style, so we can more or less know the quality it will feature.

The design is mediocre at best. And the quality, if it´s not miles ahead the 2er Van, will not be class leading.

 

[hoffmeister_fan]

Can someone tell me what are the official or business reasons to base this car on the Active tourer platform and not on the much more natural candidate that is the F20 ?

Long story short: lower development cost and maximize profits.

BMW, like M-B, Audi, VW, and other automakers, are trying to reduce their number of platforms. For their core line-up, BMW are going to be based on two platforms: the FWD-based 'UKL' platform will be for cars below the 3er (1er, 2er, Minis, etc.) and the '35up' platform will be for RWD-based and will be utilized by the 3er and larger, and that includes, if my understanding is correct, the upcoming Rollers.

I guess, the beancounters in Munich deemed the 35up too dear for the smaller cars so it's going to ride on the UKL, thus maximizing their profit margins on this car. And since the vast buying majority does not seem to give a shit which wheels are driven and all they care about is the blue and white Roundel on the hood, it makes business sense. Now for the ever-shrinking car enthusiast crowd, which is safe to assume, includes a whole bunch of us here on this forum (otherwise why would we spend/waste time on here?), it's doesn't look good. Not having an MBA, I think the term is "sucks the big fat one."

 

[KiwiRob]

Long story short: lower development cost and maximize profits.

I guess, the beancounters in Munich deemed the 35up too dear for the smaller cars so it's going to ride on the UKL, thus maximizing their profit margins on this car. And since the vast buying majority does not seem to give a shit which wheels are driven and all they care about is the blue and white Roundel on the hood, it makes business sense. Now for the ever-shrinking car enthusiast crowd, which is safe to assume, includes a whole bunch of us here on this forum (otherwise why would we spend/waste time on here?), it's doesn't look good. Not having an MBA, I think the term is "sucks the big fat one."

Which is what I've been saying for months but always get told I'm wrong and it's old and all that crap!!!

 

[klier]

I guess, the beancounters in Munich deemed the 35up too dear for the smaller cars so it's going to ride on the UKL, thus maximizing their profit margins on this car.

The 35up platform is simply too big for smaller cars, making the cars far too heavy for example (and probably too expensive to compete). Being 'too dear' has little to do with it, because one platform for all Bimmers would have been the easiest and cheapest route.

 

[Deleted member 25]

Thats all good and understood if we were talking about the next gen 1 series, this car however has still the F20 platform available.

 

[KiwiRob]

Using F20 doesn't help them sell more cheaper to build UKL platformed cars.

 

[Cabasse0]

F20 is too costly for BMW as it use the same f30 platform margins are half of the one done With the 3 series and BMW is not happy With currrent profitability of the 1 séries that's why The main reason of the move on the ukl platform ... And maybe is thé reason why the car is not very beautiful to make costumers move to the f30

 

[tatoun]

So the 1er sedan's code is F52. What could then be the 1er hatch 3rd generation UKL 's code? F..?

 

[Betty Swollocks]

So the 1er sedan's code is F52. What could then be the 1er hatch 3rd generation UKL 's code? F..?

F81L

 

[tatoun]

F81L

??
I would think more F4X or F5X, as F8X are M codes

 

[Betty Swollocks]

??
I would think more F4X or F5X, as F8X are M codes

I was joking.

F81L (FAIL)

 

[klier]

F20 is too costly for BMW

Yet the M135i is an extreme bargain, like one of the cheapest 300+ hp cars.
So being too costly is not true in all cases.

I was joking.

Amazing! And it wasn't even half bad either, which is even more special.

 

[Betty Swollocks]

Yet the M135i is an extreme bargain, like one of the cheapest 300+ hp cars.
So being too costly is not true in all cases.

Extreme bargain is spot on. I know the UK market the best, and 15-18% discounts are available any time you like, which means you can get a heavily loaded M135i (3 door); so sat nav, xenons, leather, adaptive suspension, auto gearbox, for around £32,000 (€40,000). It's half the price of an M3 yet it's definitely not half the car (I imagine as I haven't driven the M3 yet).

Amazing! And it wasn't even half bad either, which is even more special.

In the real world I'm actually known for my sense of humour.

 

[SKY]

Nothing interesting to look at under the 4er in the BMW range. Right now I would only consider the 2er, 4er, 5er, and 6er if I were to buy a BMW. The rest is just meh IMO.

 

[thorsen82]

Do only powerful engines will get xdrive option or not? I wonder that it will be available for any engine