The second generation of the BMW 1 Series is just around the corner and for the compact model, BMW will offer new powerplant choices, including a modern four-cylinder gasoline engine with turbocharging and direct injection.
Next generation 1 Series will launch in 2011, first in a hatchback form, followed a year later by the Coupe and Convertible models. Along with the redesigned bodystyle, the new 1er family will offer a wide range of engines, including turbo-petrol engines with three or four cylinders.
The 1er will remain a rear-wheel drive vehicle and shares the same L7 architecture as the next 3 series. At the same time, the L7 has the flexible firewall location geometry that will allow it to accommodate FWD, RWD, or AWD models.
Rendering by AutoBild
First, a couple 2.0-liter four-cylinder will be introduced, producing 204 and 238 horsepower. But this is only the first step, because the engineers have set themselves the goal to integrate diesel and gasoline more closely together.
Despite the higher development costs, the long term savings from mass production will offset any initial investments. For now, BMW has scrapped any plans to offer an electric and hybrid drive for the new 1 Series. The decision to move forward with the highly-efficient N57 1.5 liter diesel engine was driven by the results obtained in testing the Vision EfficientDynamics vehicle. The horsepower range for the three-cylinder powerplants goes from 95 to 177 horsepower.
The gasoline version, dubbed N30, comes in displacements of 1.2 and 1.5 liters with power output of ranging from 70 to 184 horsepower.
At the high-end of the line-up, it is expect that BMW will continue to offer the six-cylinder N55 Twin-Scroll engine for its 135i Coupe model.
The new BMW 1 Series Hatchback Concept will be unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2011.
