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BMW will increase the reach and appeal of the 1-series with additional body styles, a range of performance variants, frugal new petrol engines and advanced fuel-saving tech when it launches the second-generation model in 2011.

Depicted here in Autocar’s exclusive computer-generated images, the new 1-series, known internally under the codename F20, will again be underpinned by volume-selling three and five-door hatchback models.

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 the main suprise for me is that there is no mention of a lightweight ethos to the new 1 series, this to me should have been the direction for BMW to focus on to acheive performance and economy. so big shame.

i think they may make the M version even more powerfull than the 301bhp of the current model. something to compete against the  audi RS3, so look for 330bhp perhaps.

or perhaps they will make a lightweight version like renault are good at doing. the best way i think.

 

Autocar:

Depicted here in Autocar’s exclusive computer-generated images, the new 1-series

If you guys did the com-gen why on earth did you choose that colour???

Horrible colour for a horrible car :-)

Looks as bad and almost the same as the old car

Horrid

I take it that phrases like "variant" and "up market" are industry speak for more expensive.....

"An internal sales strategy for the F20 has already been created that will pitch it more closely than today’s 1-series against some of Europe’s best sellers, including the Volkswagen Golf, Ford Focus and Vauxhall Astra."

Where does that leave the proposed "Maxi Mini"?  Surely they will be occupying the same market place?

Wow! Computer generated images.

I am very excited to be able to see what the car might possibly potentially not look like.

Thanks Auto Express!, sorry Autocar.

I still like the current 1 series the only detail i didn`t feel comfortable with was the "sagging" door sills, looks like they have dealt with that on the new model.

I like it, well done BMW. 

 

jonfortwo:

I like it, well done BMW. 

Agreed, I like the look of this too. I just hope they make it a bit bigger than the current 1 so that it can actually be used as a small family car rather than an expensive second car or one for singles/couples.

A really nice distinctive car . It just proves how far ahead of everybody they were when Chris Bangle set their design , it deserves to be a big hit

Never thought I'd have said this but I think that those that say the current 1 series is a design hit and a grower may be on to something. I used to think the 1 was an ugly bread van with little going for it but my opinion has slowly changed and I quite like it now. I saw a white 123d M-Sport yesterday and I thought it looked superb.

In fact I'm frantically trying to work out if with the aid of a roof box I could fit may family of 3 (soon to be 4) in to it. I know the 3 is bigger but it really doesn't do much for me (went up to Silverstone last Sunday in the father in laws 335i and it left me cold to say the least). That's why I'm hoping the new 1 will be a bit bigger.

Definitely BMW has got a genious in their styling department. Their cars age so well and that is very important for sales. When a car ceases to be produced it still looks kinda fresh and thats good ***.