New BMW 1 Series Generation Set for Debut with Updated Features

The new BMW 1 Series debuts this week, celebrating 20 years with a refreshed design and enhanced features. Expected updates include shared elements with the X1, two interior screens, and a simplified naming system.

The newest generation of the BMW 1 Series is set to debut this week, with a teaser image and video commemorating 20 years of the model. BMW opted to skip the mid-cycle refresh for the F50 generation, instead focusing on launching the new version.

The 1 Series was last offered in the U.S. in 2014. Since then, the smallest BMW models available stateside have been the 2 Series and the 2 Series Gran Coupe, both of which are also due for a new generation this year, likely sharing many features with the 1 Series.

First introduced in 2004, the E87 1 Series was available in hatchback, coupe, and convertible styles, all rear-wheel drive. It featured BMW’s iconic inline-six engines and even a full-fledged M version with a six-speed manual transmission. This continued with the F20 generation in 2011, which added all-wheel drive.

The 2019 F40 generation marked a significant shift, moving to a front-wheel drive platform and dropping six-cylinder engines in favor of B38 and B48 four-cylinder engines. This generation moved away from its sports car roots, focusing more on the hatchback segment. The upcoming F70 generation will continue this trend, growing in size similar to the 2 Series Gran Coupe.

The new 1 Series is expected to share many similarities with the X1, including its UKL2 platform. This means it will likely use the same gasoline engines, ranging from 120 to 300 horsepower. In the U.S., the X1 is offered with the B48 turbocharged four-cylinder engine, available in 241 hp and 313 hp versions.

Inside, the new 1 Series is expected to feature two screens and the absence of the iDrive controller, similar to the X1. Additionally, BMW has announced that all gasoline models will drop the «i» suffix for a simpler naming system. While the official unveiling is imminent, it’s unlikely the new 1 Series will be available in the U.S. due to the shrinking market for small cars.