Count another BMW lost to front-wheel drive: after fifteen years of primarily rear-drive motivation, the new 1er hatch makes a switch to pull rather than push. Consumer demands for space, and shareholder demands for platform efficiency, seem to be at the core of this decision. BMW says the new 1 Series’ interior is much roomier than its predecessor, especially in the rear compartment. There’s more space for kit in the cargo area as well, thanks to the space-saving packaging of front-wheel-drive. We pause now to remind our readers of ads that BMW used to run. Both iterations of the old 1 Series have always looked a bit gawping, with large headlights and slightly-off styling proportions. This new model, shown here in M135i form with xDrive, neatly integrates Munich’s current styling language, from an expressive set of headlights to slick horizontal tail lamps. Its twin-kidney grille has not grown to tumour size as it did in the X7, thankfully. For European-market cars at least, there are three diesel engines and two gasoline mills from which to choose. They are bookended by a 116-horsepower oil-burner at one end and the blue M135i shown here, which makes 306 ponies. BMW suggests the latter will scamper to 98 km/h from zero in less than five seconds. There will be a six-speed manual transmission available, at least on lowly 116d and 118d trims, plus the gasoline-powered 118i. Certain models in that range will be available with a seven-speed dual clutch. There will also be an eight-speed Steptronic ‘box, the only one mentioned as available in the snazzy M135i xDrive shown here. Keeping up with the other two-thirds of the German Drei, the new 1 Series will be offered with all manner of driving nannies, ranging from lane-keeping to city-braking functions. Active cruise control will help at the helm, at least up to 160 km/h, and an array of parking assistants will aid even the most hamfisted BMW owner in avoiding dinging up their new whip. The third-gen 1 Series will be unveiled to the public for the first time in late June at BMW Welt in Munich. Hosting the auto show premiere, meanwhile, will be the IAA event in Frankfurt later this year. The worldwide launch will get underway on September
Origin: BMW’s 2019 1 Series ditches rear-wheel-drive for front