CAR reader DeJongh Borchardt recently snapped these photos of the upcoming BMW 1 Series replacement in the Northern Cape. Engineers on the scene for once did not react aggressively when the car was discovered, but told Borchardt that it was in the country to undergo high temperature testing, specifically for the car’s air-conditioning system.
Although the test mule’s swirly camouflage does a good job of hiding its lines, it is clear that the Bangle flame surfacing that was so heavily criticised on the current car has been toned down. Also, the front-end looks sleeker. Overall, however, the car’s styling appears to be a careful evolution.
Due for launch in 2011, the new 1 Series will boast a similar line-up of three- and five-door hatches to the current model. In 2012 convertible and coupe models will be added.
The likely drivetrain line-up is currently a hotly debated issue, with some German media outlets suggesting the 1 Series making use of the four-cylinder engines currently being used by the Mini Cooper line-up. However, the hot tip at the moment, especially considering BMW’s focus on its EfficientDynamics green program, is a line-up of three- and four-cylinder engines making use of turbochargers. It is reported by German publication Auto Motor und Sport that the three-cylinder engines are already undergoing final-stage testing, and that the line-up could look like this:
116i – 1,35-litre in-line three cylinder with 190 N.m of torque
118i – 1,35-litre in-line three cylinder with 220 N.m of torque
120i – 1,35-litre in-line three cylinder with 260 N.m of torque
123i – 1,8-litre in-line four cylinder with 300 N.m of torque
125i – 1,8-litre in-line four cylinder with 350 N.m of torque
