BMW is testing a new front-wheel drive 1 Series sedan, codenamed F52, near near the Arctic Circle. The new 1 Series will compete against Audi’s A3 and Mercedes-Benz’s CLA.
The entry-level sedan will be built on the same UKL* platform as the 2 Series Active Tourer, next X1 and future Minis.
The new compact sedan will also be offered with xDrive (all-wheel drive).
SAME PLATFORM AS 2 SERIES MPV
Since it shares the same platform, engines might be derived from the 2 Series Active Tourer, meaning it will be powered by a choice of three-cylinder 1.5 litre and four-cylinder two litre units.
IMAGE GALLERY: 2015 BMW 1 Series sedan
All units will be turbocharged (petrol and diesel) and paired with either a six-speed manual or an eight-speed auto transmission.
Automedia reports that the interior is derived from the 2 Series Active Tourer. The steering-wheel is the same and so is the centre console, with an analogue instrument cluster and a touch-sensitive controller.
The camouflage and test head and tail lights also tell us that this is one of the few prototypes that went out for tests and that we should expect the new 1 series in late 2015 or early 2016.
*Untere Klasse - lower class in German