The upcoming third-gen BMW 1 Series will be front-wheel drive for the first time when it arrives in 2018, according to reports.
Auto Express claims that while the replacement 1 Series, which will go on sale in the UK in early 2019, will look similar to the current model, it’ll be entirely different underneath the skin.
It’s believed the car will ditch rear-wheel drive and will be based on the same platform that underpins the BMW X1 and the MINI range, which will improve practicality and efficiency.
Given that the 2 Series coupe and convertible models are based on the 1 Series, it’s expected that these will also adopt a front-wheel drive layout in coming years.
Although that will radically alter the way that the cars drive, the simpler layout of front-wheel drive will free up more room in the back for passengers and should also increase boot capacity.
That could spell bad news for fans of the hot M140i though, given that the MINI platform can only support four cylinder engines and not the straight-six used in the current M140i.
Likewise, it’ll not be rear-wheel drive, though it’s expected to get BMW’s xDrive four-wheel drive system, which would make it a competitor with the likes of the Volkswagen Golf R and Ford Focus RS.
It’s also expected that there’ll be an all-electric or hybrid 1 Series, possibly powered by the same setup as the MINI Countryman Cooper E, with a small electric motor coupled with a 1.5-litre engine.
