INTERNATIONAL LAUNCH
BMW unwraps the all-new 1 Series
Compact premium hatch gets leaner but roomier, and is no longer rear-wheel driven
BMW has revealed details of the new, third-generation 1 Series that will make its world debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September before being launched in SA shortly afterwards. Bavaria’s compact car, which has sold more than 1.3-million units in its first two iterations, inherits many of the intelligent technologies from its larger stablemates, while also making a big philosophy switch by changing from being rear-wheel driven to a choice of either front-wheel drive or xDrive all-wheel drive. The loss of rear-wheel drive won’t mess with the brand’s typical driver-pleasing nature, says BMW, claiming that the car will have a dynamic sharpness that sets new standards in the premium compact class. This is, after all, the same company that builds the very agile front-wheel-drive Mini. The car’s corner-taming nature is enhanced by ARB (actuator contiguous wheel slip limitation) technology familiar from the electric BMW i3, which allows wheel slip to be controlled much more sensitive...
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