BMW's big plans for small cars

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Despite the fact that BMW has a fairly small prestige four-wheeler in the form of the 3-series Compact model, the German automaker has no qualms in admitting that the 3-series is getting bigger.

Rather than try to create another quasi-spinoff model in the Three Series line-up, perhaps a 314i 'light' for instance, BMW is racing ahead with the hinted-at 1-series.

Word on the Autobahn suggests that BMW will introduce the new 1-series range in 2004, though exactly when it will appear still remains a mystery - BMW are masters at keeping new models under wraps.

The most likely scenario is for BMW to showcase the new 1-series range at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, which would coincide with the first official look at the new VW Golf 5; a direct competitor of the new baby Beemer.

Following the huge success of the new Mini, BMW will be attacking the hotly contested premium small car segment, whose current kings include the Audi A3, aforementioned VW Golf and the new 2005 Astra's move upmarket will also elevate it to the premium bracket.

There's a lot of good reasons why BMW would want to build a light/small car, the most obvious being that it would be a volume seller - or from a cynic's point of view, a good way to make more money.

But BMW makes good solid cars, and what we do currently know about the new 1-series so far is quite pleasing, and as the anticipation builds towards its release, so too will the hype.

The new BMW 1-series range will comprise a number of styles, including the flagship coupe and cabriolet models, which will command an increased asking price over other models (interestingly, some are saying that the coupe and cabrio models may even be badged as 2-series BMWs).

The big sellers in the range, however, are likely to be the sedan and hatchback, with the latter already looking seriously hot. If the computer generated images (pictured above right) turn out to bear even a slight resemblance to the finished 1-series hatch, it'll make for one very sexy motor.

There's almost a bit of the Z3-based M Coupe in the bold styling cues, while the brake light cluster is very Z4-ish, and insiders are suggesting that the 1-series will be given an overhaul (in terms of engine and suspension) by the M division, to ensure VW's R32 Golf and GM's Astra Turbo don't run away with the go-to-woah honours.

While it is still unknown whether the M division will tune one engine for fitment into all models (cabrio, coupe, hatch and sedan) or whether they'll just offer a coupe, information has been leaked from BMW that the hi-po M1 running gear will include a 2.0-litre engine making more than 180kW.

It's doubtful that even the bright sparks at BMW can make a naturally aspirated 2000cc mill with that much power, and it would be fair to say that turbocharging will be the order of the day for the light-weight M1.

In terms of the other engine classes, nothing is set in stone at this stage -- due largely to BMW's lack of small capacity engines -- but it's expected that the German car maker will offer a brand new range of 1.2, 1.4 and 1.6-litre four-cylinder powerplants, each with BMW's patented ValveTronic system, which will help boost power and torque somewhat.

Furthermore, it will be interesting to see if BMW sticks to its current naming convention (with the series number followed by the engine size) as the names 112i and 116Ti don't exactly have the same ring as 525i, 320i and so forth.

Just like every BMW built thus far, even the new 1-series will be rear-wheel drive, which is brilliant news in our book, and will help set the new compact car range apart from almost all others in the genre.

Front wheel drive vehicles usually understeer when pushed hard, where the front end will push away from the apex of a corner. Rear wheel drive vehicles, however, tend to oversteer and are not affected by torque-steer, suggesting the new 1-series will be more of a drivers car than a simple inner-city runabout.

The new 1-series range of small cars from BMW will be arriving in its home market of Germany and the rest of Europe in 2004, and BMW enjoys good sales in Australia (per capita), which should ensure early stocks for us. Pricing is a tough one to predict and no one's talking numbers at this stage, but you can expect the range to be priced slightly higher than the current VW Golf entry level models, which retail for about $26,000 for the 1.6.

Together with the impending launch of the BMW 5 and 6-series, not to mention the marque's new compact 4WD, the X3, BMW's future is looking a lot better than it was a year or so ago, when Chris Bangle's first design came to light: The hump-backed 7-series.

And while many will be interested to see what BMW can offer the small car market, it could be seen as a bit of gamble, as the big-name Japanese automakers have a very tight grip on the hotly-contested market segment.

Still, if these early shots are anything to go by, the new 1-series should have a bright future, and the company has already proven it can create small cars with style, in the form of the new Mini. Together with a performance flagship model already planned (the M1), BMW could be onto a winner with the 1-series.

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