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

After two generations of front- and all-wheel drive layouts, BMW might revive the standard rear-wheel drive configuration for its 1 Collection hatch – however solely when electrical energy arrives.

BMWBlog studies the next-generation 1 Collection electrical automobile (EV) – set to be primarily based on BMW’s new Neue Klasse EV platform and referred to as the i1 – will likely be primarily rear-wheel drive as a substitute of front-wheel drive, with efficiency variations to keep up the all-wheel drive structure of the present M135 xDrive.

This could mark a return to kind for the 1 Collection, which began as a rear-wheel drive mannequin with its first technology in 2004. The vary switched to front-wheel drive for non-performance variants with the arrival of the mannequin’s fourth technology, whereas higher-output variations featured all-wheel drive.

BMW has massive plans for its electrical future, studies of the German premium model extending its EV attain into the small automotive area reinforce its dedication to the phase.

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Talking with AutoExpress on the Shanghai motor present, BMW model senior vp Bernd Koerber confirmed the carmaker will proceed to supply automobiles within the compact automotive phase, citing their significance in European markets.

“There are various markets the place that’s extremely related; go to Greece, go to Spain, go to Italy – take out the 1 [Series] and that’s one-third of your online business. So, if you happen to’re a worldwide participant, you higher do issues in your house markets that are related,” Mr Koerber advised the British outlet.

“It’s essential for the model, as a result of what you see within the 1 Collection is you’ve the very best share of youthful drivers. So how do you get individuals into the model?

“The small-car phase forces you into intelligent options – cost-efficient options. In case you step out of the small-car phase, what you lose is the angle of intelligent, cost-efficient options; in a small-car phase you’re compelled into it.”

Mr Koerber’s affirmation is in stark distinction to BMW’s German rivals. Mercedes-Benz has ended manufacturing of its two smallest mannequin – the A-Class, which was as soon as obtainable as a hatch and sedan, and the B-Class, a small individuals mover.

The axing of those automobiles got here as a part of Mercedes’ plans to trim and simplify its mannequin lineup from seven to simply 4 automobiles, with the CLA sedan, CLA Taking pictures Brake wagon, GLA small SUV, and GLB mid-size SUV forming the vary.

Audi, in the meantime, is because of finish manufacturing of its A1 hatch and sedan, in addition to its Q2 small SUV, in 2026. The demise of those fashions comes after the German model confirmed in 2021 that they wouldn’t be instantly changed on the finish of their lifecycles.

Audi is, nonetheless, planning to launch a brand new entry-level EV to fill the void left by the A1 and Q2, more likely to be positioned as an electrical various to the bigger A3 and Q3.

The electrical i1 is anticipated to succeed the present 1 Collection hatch in 2027 or late 2028, when the interior combustion mannequin is because of attain the top of its lifecycle.

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

A second entry-level EV – which might compete extra instantly with Audi’s deliberate entry-level EV – will comply with the i1, carrying the i2 identify and taking the type of a ‘Gran Coupe’ sedan as a substitute of a hatch, very similar to the connection between the present 1 Collection hatch and 2 Collection Gran Coupe.

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

It’ll even be BMW’s first electrical hatch for the reason that quirky i3 metropolis automotive, which was in manufacturing from 2013 to 2022.

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