While BMW is making headways with its diverse lineup of premium saloons, SUVs, crossovers, and sports cars, their roots go way back to making compact saloons. Now, the Germans are set to add a new compact saloon to the lineup, known as the BMW 1 Series sedan that will be sold exclusively to the Chinese market.
Developed together with Chinese partner Brilliance Auto, this small premium saloon is specially made for the sedan-crazy Chinese market. It’s based on the existing 1 Series hatchback and will compete against the likes of the Audi A3 and Mercedes-Benz CLA. Funny enough, this introduction might just be a direct link to the BMW Concept Compact Sedan (pictured below) unveiled in 2015’s Guangzhou Motor Show.
Details about this car are sketchy as well, but BMW said it will come with the latest, most powerful and technology-leading engines with hi-tech electronics from BMW. Understandably, the Chinese market tends to favour cars with space, so it’s rather intriguing to see just how the engineers can improve on the interior packaging of a small car. Perhaps the people from Honda and Perodua could drop some hints…
The new 1 Series saloon joins the ranks of the Mazda CX-4 as highly desirable cars that are aimed specifically to the world’s most populous nation, leaving countries like us in envy. That’s a shame as the 1 Series saloon should work well in Malaysia. But fret not, there are the hatchback and coupe variants for us to choose from.
