The BMW 1 Series Sedan has finally been launched (exclusively) in China, with the German brand still insisting that the front-wheel-drive saloon won’t be sold in other markets.
Set to compete with the likes of the Audi A3 Sedan and Mercedes-Benz CLA, BMW says the new vehicle was “tailored specifically to meet the needs of Chinese customers”. It runs on the Munich-based group’s UKL platform, which it shares with the likes of the Mini Cooper, BMW 2 Series Active Tourer and BMW X1.
The 1 Series Sedan is manufactured as part of a joint venture between the BMW Group and BMW Brilliance Automotive Ltd at the Tiexi plant, which forms part of the Shenyang production site in the north east of China.
The brands describes the newcomer as a “supplement to the five-door hatchback BMW 1 Series models produced in Germany”, emphasising that it was “conceived especially for China and solely produced there”.
BMW has also revealed more details about the 1 Series Sedan, including the fact that it measures 4 456 mm long, 1 803 mm wide and 1 446 mm high (with a wheelbase of 2 670 mm).
At launch in China, there is a choice of three power units, led by the 2,0-litre, four-cylinder unit in the 125i Sedan, which boasts peak outputs of 170 kW and 350 N.m. Fitted as standard with an eight-speed Steptronic transmission, the 125i Sedan sprints from standstill to 100 km/h in 6,8 seconds.
Then there’s a lower-output 2,0-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine fitted to the 120i Sedan (141 kW/280 N.m). With the same transmission as standard, it accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 7,5 seconds.
The base engine is the brand’s familiar 1,5-litre, three-cylinder unit in the 118i Sedan. This turbo-triple makes 100 kW and 220 N.m and comes mated to a six-speed Steptronic transmission. The obligatory dash takes 9,4 seconds.
Will BMW eventually create a global version to do battle with the A3 Sedan and CLA? Well, we’ll just have to wait and see…
