[ogrady]

looks like it's got a widened track:

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9291

Wonder if the hatchback makes it over to US in the next generation. Hope so.

[ogrady]

[Tallest]

i hope they lengthen the wheelbase and make this car useful for people with feet who want to see at the back.

[Blip Bavarian]

Originally Posted by 320what

i hope they lengthen the wheelbase and make this car useful for people with feet who want to see at the back.

Thats why they have the 3 series dude.

[Tallest]

Originally Posted by Blip Bavarian

Thats why they have the 3 series dude.

Have you seen a 1 series hatch? Have you seen hatchbacks that 1er supposed to be targeting? Are you aware that VW makes Golf which is called Rabit in US I guess? Same size, plenty of space in back. And it's chosen as a nice practical family car. Why the 1 series can't be that? Just because there is 3 series for those who want practical? The car can have rear space even if that meant less boot, but now as is, the 1er is pointless with rear doors - and it is so much more expensive then Golf too. I know it's rwd layout means that boot space is smaller by default and there is a high transmission tunel in the rear but so what, make it work. I had 1er hatch 5 door for few days as replacement for my car and I thought it was terrific car to drive, but when i was gonna give a lift to couple girls in back it turned out into bit of an embarassment. POint is the car needs another inch or two legroom in back - be it through thinner seats or longer wheelbase.

The 3er even doesn't have that much space compared to new A4 or C class. Sorry, you don't convince me with your argument, dude. NOt all people in the world need to have an M3 and have 3 other cars. In big cities, this is a BMW of choice for many. Just go to Paris for example. And this is meant as city car in a way, that drives well. What's wrong with asking for more space? Take a three seriees you say? I already have! But I only hope they addressed this fro the upcoming model since lack of space in back of the hatch has been universally repeated by all who tested it and own it. In the end its a car driven by women in here.

currently then, the hatch is as useful as a Z4 with big hump on the back where you can pile things into.

[Kiss335i]

Well, this look's like the previous version sold in Europe since 2004 I think!!!!

[Romo]

It seems to me more like a midlife update..........................

[PIMP "E"]

thats the actual 1 series that car been out in europe sense 2004. the 2 door 1 series that we have now is more of a remake for the old 318i. its funny to see cars all over the world and when you see it in the US, they change the name of the same car and charge twice as much. im not saying BMW does that though, but yeah that 1 series been out for a while. theyre only bringing it to the US to cause probable the audi A3 been selling or cause the gas prices in the US is catching up with the rest of the world. So americans is trying to drive small cars now, looking like europeans, lol..............

[Tallest]

i think its pretty clear that the car is mule, not the body of actual remake. tis well too opened up from cladding to be a real thing!

[mapezzul]

This is not the next 1 series... the next F chassis would be used not the current one, they would just leave the shell off and use a mule shell(yellow fiber glass box for testing the initial frame/chassis out.) This is using the current chassis/frame with different underpinnings. Like we saw the X3 a few weeks back with larger fender flares being the X3 test for the powertrain, suspension you must realize that the X3 will use the E9X platform so the powertrain/suspension will bolt up. The next gen 1 will not be using the current E82 chassis.... but what will be..... hmmmm
The Mini Colorado, this has just passed the initial phase and is moving on, Magna is producing the car so much of the internal testing is going to be in 1 series frorm, this car will not be based on the clubman so this makes more sense, and the X1 has already gotten its true sheetmetal.

[E82tt6]

Originally Posted by 320what

i hope they lengthen the wheelbase and make this car useful for people with feet who want to see at the back.

IMHO people complain WAY too much about back seat room in the 1. I've had one normal sized person in the back on a two hour drive with no complaints. It feels to me like it has at least as much room as an e46, probably more.

If you need a back seat for moving around big fat clients, or something along those lines, the 3 is a better choice. You can fit four large people comfortably indefinitely.

[Kevin@DriveLine]

I spotted a 1 Hatch (5 door) near the BMW Design Center CA in Newbury Park. I saw it at an intersection and flashed my brights, and the guy TOOK OFF! My light was red so I couldnt catch them, but just the fact that they're being tested in California is somewhat of an indication.

Who knows, the 318ti flopped (in most peoples minds) and the 1 coupe was created with the US market in mind, so it will be interesting to see what happens.