BMW 1 Series hatch to return to rear-wheel drive – report

After two generations of front- and all-wheel drive layouts, BMW could revive the normal rear-wheel drive configuration for its 1 Series hatch – but only when electric power arrives.

BMWBlog reports the next-generation 1 Series electric vehicle (EV) – set to be based on BMW’s latest Neue Klasse EV platform and called the i1 – might be primarily rear-wheel drive as an alternative of front-wheel drive, with performance versions to take care of the all-wheel drive layout of the present M135 xDrive.

This may mark a return to form for the 1 Series, which began as a rear-wheel drive model with its first generation in 2004. The range switched to front-wheel drive for non-performance variants with the arrival of the model’s fourth generation, while higher-output versions featured all-wheel drive.

BMW has big plans for its electric future, reports of the German premium brand extending its EV reach into the small automobile space reinforce its commitment to the segment.

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Speaking with AutoExpress on the Shanghai motor show, BMW brand senior vp Bernd Koerber confirmed the carmaker will proceed to supply vehicles within the compact automobile segment, citing their importance in European markets.

“There are numerous markets where that is extremely relevant; go to Greece, go to Spain, go to Italy – take out the 1 [Series] and that’s one-third of your online business. So, in the event you’re a world player, you higher do things in your own home markets that are relevant,” Mr Koerber told the British outlet.

“It’s very vital for the brand, because what you see within the 1 Series is you’ve got the best share of younger drivers. So how do you get people into the brand?

“The small-car segment forces you into clever solutions – cost-efficient solutions. In case you step out of the small-car segment, what you lose is the angle of clever, cost-efficient solutions; in a small-car segment you might be forced into it.”

Mr Koerber’s confirmation is in stark contrast to BMW’s German rivals. Mercedes-Benz has ended production of its two smallest model – the A-Class, which was once available as a hatch and sedan, and the B-Class, a small people mover.

The axing of those vehicles got here as a part of Mercedes’ plans to trim and simplify its model lineup from seven to only 4 vehicles, with the CLA sedan, CLA Shooting Brake wagon, GLA small SUV, and GLB mid-size SUV forming the range.

Audi, meanwhile, is attributable to end production of its A1 hatch and sedan, in addition to its Q2 small SUV, in 2026. The demise of those models comes after the German brand confirmed in 2021 that they wouldn’t be directly replaced at the top of their lifecycles.

Audi is, nevertheless, planning to launch a brand new entry-level EV to fill the void left by the A1 and Q2, prone to be positioned as an electrical alternative to the larger A3 and Q3.

The electrical i1 is anticipated to succeed the present 1 Series hatch in 2027 or late 2028, when the interior combustion model is attributable to reach the top of its lifecycle.

The i1 will reportedly enter production in late 2028, shortly after the electrical 3 Series successor, which can debut BMW’s next-generation Neue Klasse EV architecture.

A second entry-level EV – which could compete more directly with Audi’s planned entry-level EV – will follow the i1, wearing the i2 name and taking the shape of a ‘Gran Coupe’ sedan as an alternative of a hatch, very similar to the connection between the present 1 Series hatch and a couple of Series Gran Coupe.

If the i1 is produced as expected, it’ll be the primary time an entry-level BMW hatch is obtainable with rear-wheel drive for the reason that second-generation F20 1 Series exited production in 2019.

It’ll even be BMW’s first electric hatch for the reason that quirky i3 city automobile, which was in production from 2013 to 2022.