BMW has released the first picture of its first-ever 1 Series Sedan, which could have been just what BMW needed to give the Audi A3 sedan and Mercedes CLA a run for their money, except that fight is only going to happen in China.
BMW says that its new four-door 1 Series was developed exclusively for the Chinese market and at this stage there are no plans to introduce it to any other global markets.
However, the internet is awash with rumours that world markets will get a version of the 1 Series sedan - some even speculating that it would be a more coupé-like four-door based on the rear-wheel drive 2 Series Coupé.
On that note, although BMW has not yet revealed the technical details, it is widely believed that the new Sedan is built on BMW's front-wheel drive platform that also underpins the 2 Series Active Tourer and new X1. Expect it to be powered by the same range of three- and four-cylinder turbo-charged engines.
The 1 Series Sedan is a production version of the BMW Concept Compact Sedan of 2015 and it has been specifically adapted and fine-tuned to suit Chinese customers' "habits and vehicle use environment," BMW states.
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