After two generations of front- and all-wheel drive layouts, BMW could revive the traditional rear-wheel drive configuration for its 1 Series hatch – but only when electric power arrives.
BMWBlog reports the next-generation 1 Series electric vehicle (EV) – set to be based on BMW’s new Neue Klasse EV platform and called the i1 – will be primarily rear-wheel drive instead of front-wheel drive, with performance versions to maintain the all-wheel drive layout of the current M135 xDrive.
This would mark a return to form for the 1 Series, which started as a rear-wheel drive model with its first generation in 2004. The range switched to front-wheel drive for non-performance variants with the arrival of the model’s fourth generation, while higher-output versions featured all-wheel drive.
BMW has big plans for its electric future, reports of the German premium brand extending its EV reach into the small car space reinforce its commitment to the segment.
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BMW M135
Speaking with AutoExpress at the Shanghai motor show, BMW brand senior vice president Bernd Koerber confirmed the carmaker will continue to offer vehicles in the compact car segment, citing their importance in European markets.
“There are many markets where that is highly relevant; go to Greece, go to Spain, go to Italy – take out the 1 [Series] and that’s one-third of your business. So, if you’re a global player, you better do things in your home markets which are relevant,” Mr Koerber told the British outlet.
“It’s very important for the brand, because what you see in the 1 Series is you have the highest share of younger drivers. So how do you get people into the brand?
“The small-car segment forces you into clever solutions – cost-efficient solutions. If you step out of the small-car segment, what you lose is the perspective of clever, cost-efficient solutions; in a small-car segment you are forced into it.”
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Mercedes-Benz A-Class sedan and hatch -
Audi A1 hatch
Mr Koerber’s confirmation is in stark contrast to BMW’s German rivals. Mercedes-Benz has ended production of its two smallest model – the A-Class, which was once available as a hatch and sedan, and the B-Class, a small people mover.
The axing of these vehicles came as part of Mercedes’ plans to trim and simplify its model lineup from seven to just four vehicles, with the CLA sedan, CLA Shooting Brake wagon, GLA small SUV, and GLB mid-size SUV forming the range.
Audi, meanwhile, is due to end production of its A1 hatch and sedan, as well as its Q2 small SUV, in 2026. The demise of these models comes after the German brand confirmed in 2021 that they wouldn’t be directly replaced at the end of their lifecycles.
Audi is, however, planning to launch a new entry-level EV to fill the void left by the A1 and Q2, likely to be positioned as an electric alternative to the larger A3 and Q3.
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BMW Vision Neue Klasse concept
The electric i1 is expected to succeed the current 1 Series hatch in 2027 or late 2028, when the internal combustion model is due to reach the end of its lifecycle.
The i1 will reportedly enter production in late 2028, shortly after the electric 3 Series successor, which will debut BMW’s next-generation Neue Klasse EV architecture.
A second entry-level EV – which could compete more directly with Audi’s planned entry-level EV – will follow the i1, wearing the i2 name and taking the form of a ‘Gran Coupe’ sedan instead of a hatch, much like the relationship between the current 1 Series hatch and 2 Series Gran Coupe.
If the i1 is produced as expected, it’ll be the first time an entry-level BMW hatch is available with rear-wheel drive since the second-generation F20 1 Series exited production in 2019.
It’ll also be BMW’s first electric hatch since the quirky i3 city car, which was in production from 2013 to 2022.
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E87 BMW 120i -
F20 BMW M140i
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