The BMW 1 Series may no longer be rear-wheel drive, but at a time when hot hatches are growing rarer, we’re just happy to see one live on for a new generation. Visually, the new 1 Series isn’t a wild departure from its predecessor, and while it’s not the most attractive hot hatch we’ve ever seen, it’s still a marked improvement. Then again, considering how the old one looked, improving that front-end design couldn’t have been particularly difficult.
The 1 Series is also now a little larger than before, growing about 1.5 inches overall. Opt for the M135 xDrive — which notably no longer gets an “i” at the end of its name — and you get a sportier look as well as a 296-hp engine. With power going to all four wheels, that’s enough grunt to get the M135 up to 62 mph in just 4.9 seconds. Whether you consider it a real BMW or not, there’s no denying that’s pretty quick, and something tells us it’s probably a hoot to drive, too.
The M135 also gets a quad exhaust and can be ordered with an M Technology Package that upgrades the suspension, as well as the M Compound brake package and 19-inch forged alloy wheels (18s are standard). BMW will also add in the M Sport Package Pro if you want your 1 Series to look even sportier.
Inside, there won’t be many surprises if you’re familiar with modern BMW interiors. You get a version of BMW’s latest curved display that marries a 10.25-inch driver display with a 10.7-inch infotainment screen, and the shift lever has been replaced newer gear selector. Sadly, it doesn’t appear that a manual transmission will be available, as a seven-speed dual-clutch comes standard.
Whether you’re disappointed by that decision or not, it probably doesn’t matter. We can’t imagine that BMW has any plans to bring the new 1 Series to the U.S. Price, transmission and on-sale date are essentially all irrelevant. And in 2049, when it’s finally legal to import, who even knows what the automotive landscape will look like? For all we know, internal combustion engines might not even be street-legal anymore. At least we still have the 2 Series Gran Coupe, though, right?
