Based on the front-wheel drive UKL platform.
Ahead of its launch slated to take place later this year, the BMW 1 Series Sedan (which is reportedly called BMW 2 Series Sedan according to some Chinese publications) was spied testing in China showing its production-ready exterior and interior.
The 1 Series sedan, as reported earlier, will be based on BMW's UKL front-wheel drive architecture which also underpins models like the new X1 and 2 Series Active Tourer. Thanks to the front-wheel drive layout and a transverse engine layout, engineers will be able to better package the interior of the Mercedes CLA-rival, offering better legroom, especially for rear seat passengers.
As seen in one of the spyshots, the interior of the 1 Series sedan borrows plenty of parts and components from the existing BMW parts bin. The instrument cluster and the fonts used for the speedometer and tachometer, the engine start-stop switch and controls for the headlight are what you would find on present day BMW 1 Series and 3 Series models.
Also read: 2017 BMW 5 Series spied with production headlights
The 1 Series sedan will have China as its first market, though other emerging markets like India and South America could be next on the list. For the Chinese market, reports say the 1 Series sedan will be powered by a three-cylinder 1.5-liter and four-cylinder 2.0-liter TwinPower Turbo petrol engines. For markets like India, BMW will have to offer diesel options, which could include the 1.5-liter three-cylinder used on the Mini or the 2.0-liter four-cylinder from the BMW 3 Series facelift.
[Source - AutoSohu]
