While the BMW 1 Series Cabrio will debut over the next few days in dealerships, closing the updated cycle of the current model, for some weeks on various automobile sites and forums the first possibilities of the next generation have been seen.
Munich’s baby, originally met with by scepticism by competitors (and perhaps BMW management who had their fingers burnt with the previous 3 Series Compact) has managed to cut a niche for itself and create its own affectionate public.
It is now travelling towards maturity, supported and cared for by the company who has realised that it’s much better to reveal new consumption-reducing technology (l’Efficient Dynamics for everything) on its smaller and lighter models, than on the heavier top-range products.
The next generation 1 Series will be based on the shortened platform of the next 3 Series (and for which the use of the F30 project has already been revealed), and exactly as in the current model so it’s easy to foresee the improvements that the new model will bring on through checking out novelties debuting on the “big sister”.
Regarding the external style of the car, we can expect that Chris Bangle’s Flame Surfacing design as used on the current 1 Series (you love it or you hate it) will be replaced by a softer style inspired by the CS Concept prototype that will provide the future blue print for all future BMW models.
On this basis the first images of the car have been created, using an evolutionary graphic of the current model.
For the interior it needs to be said that BMW seems to have everything under control and while the search for a more sporty personality on the 3 Series, it’s unlikely that the 1 Series will see any great revolution, having never been anything other than sporty (compared to its bigger sisters).
As per German tradition there won’t be any total changes, but more significant evolution with the possible use of the squared front which debuted on the new X5 and also expected for the future Series 5 F10 on sale next year, in place of the McPherson.
It’s possible that the car will be equipped with electronic-controlled (EDC) active suspension; a system currently available only on “M” branded BMW’s, but which some competitors offer in smaller sectors.
Considering what BMW has done in the past, for the engines we can probably expect a general increase of about 10Kw for each unit and also, if rumours heard on various BMW fan sites are correct, power increase for the four-cylinder petrol as well.
In short, few completely new things, but well-aimed in giving greater attention to sporting and drive quality (which was never missing on the 1 Series, compared to other models that have reacted a little too much to a public more orientated towards Audi or Mercedes) that’s in the BMW DNA.
But when will it arrive?Knowing the renewal time taken at the company, based on a cycle of about six-and-a-half years it’s an easy prediction: the current 1 Series arrived in dealerships in September 2004, the five-door version next off the rank will be around between September 2010 and March 2011.