BMW 1-Series sedan, not a China-exclusive anymore

MANILA: BMW started manufacturing the 1-series sedan in China in 2017, with the mindset that this would be an exclusive product for the Chinese market. However, the China-exclusive BMW 1-series sedan has been launched in Mexico, which could mean that BMW is planning to make it a global product.

BMW must have taken this step considering the fact that the Audi A3 sedan and Mercedes-Benz CLA have been selling in good numbers in various international markets. So, making the 1-series sedan a China-exclusive product might be doing more harm than good to the overall sales.

The BMW 1-series sedan is based on company’s UKL platform that also underpins the Mini lineup, as well as the X1, X2, 2 Series Active Tourer and Gran Tourer. Unlike BMW cars, the 1-series sedan is a front-wheel-drive. The base model is powered by a 1.5-litre 3-cylinder turbocharged unit that produces 136 PS of max power and 220 Nm of torque and comes mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. It can go from 0-100 kmph in 9.4 seconds and has a top speed of 212 kmph, which is electronically limited.

The mid-spec variant of the 1-series sedan gets a more powerful 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged engine that churns out 192 PS of max power and generates 280 Nm of peak torque. This has got an 8-speed automatic gearbox. It’s quicker than the 1.5-litre model. It does the 0-100 kmph sprint in just 7.5 seconds, and flat out it will do 235 kmph, again, electronically limited. BMW has re-tuned this engine to produce 231 PS of max power. This one comes with the top-of-the-line model.

Now, whether BMW would bring the 1-series sedan to the Philippines or not depends on the sales of the car in Mexico. If it picks up the pace there, then chances are that BMW would consider launching it in the ASEAN region, starting with the neighboring countries like Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore. As of now, BMW hasn’t confirmed anything related to this.