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

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

BMWBlog stories the next-generation 1 Collection electrical automobile (EV) – set to be primarily based on BMW’s new Neue Klasse EV platform and known as the i1 – might be primarily rear-wheel drive as a substitute of front-wheel drive, with efficiency variations to take care of the all-wheel drive format of the present M135 xDrive.

This is able to mark a return to type 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 large plans for its electrical future, stories of the German premium model extending its EV attain into the small automobile area reinforce its dedication to the section.

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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 autos within the compact automobile section, citing their significance in European markets.

“There are lots of 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 enterprise. So, for those who’re a worldwide participant, you higher do issues in your house markets that are related,” Mr Koerber advised the British outlet.

“It’s crucial for the model, as a result of what you see within the 1 Collection is you might have the best share of youthful drivers. So how do you get folks into the model?

“The small-car section forces you into intelligent options – cost-efficient options. When you step out of the small-car section, what you lose is the angle of intelligent, cost-efficient options; in a small-car section you might be 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 out there as a hatch and sedan, and the B-Class, a small folks mover.

The axing of those autos got here as a part of Mercedes’ plans to trim and simplify its mannequin lineup from seven to simply 4 autos, with the CLA sedan, CLA Capturing 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 immediately changed on the finish 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, more likely to be positioned as an electrical various to the bigger A3 and Q3.

The electrical i1 is predicted to succeed the present 1 Collection hatch in 2027 or late 2028, when the inner 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 is able to debut BMW’s next-generation Neue Klasse EV structure.

A second entry-level EV – which may compete extra immediately with Audi’s deliberate entry-level EV – will observe 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 offered 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 automobile, which was in manufacturing from 2013 to 2022.

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