Slotting below the rear-drive 3 Series sedan, the new front-drive BMW 1 Series sedan is coming to the U.S. to battle the likes of the Audi A3 sedan and Mercedes-Benz CLA, Automotive News reports. Like the 2 Series Active Tourer, the 1 Series will be based on Mini’s new front-drive UKL platform.
Due in 2017, the BMW 1 Series sedan will arrive with the third-generation Euro-market 1 Series hatchback, which will switch from its rear-drive underpinnings to the new UKL architecture. The new chassis also supports all-wheel drive. Additionally, the next BMW X1 crossover will switch to the new front-drive/all-wheel drive platform. That model is expected for 2015. The BMW 2 Series Active Tourer will also be based on the UKL underpinnings, possibly coming here in 2015 as an all-wheel-drive-only model. Mini will also share its 1.5-liter turbo I-3 and 2.0-liter turbo I-4 with the front-drive BMW models.
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