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BMW Shows 1 Series Sedan Interior Ahead of Guangzhou Show Debut

SEMA and LA aren't the only big auto shows left on the calendar. In fact, BMW is probably more preoccupied with what happens at the Guangzhou Auto Show in China, where the 1 Series "sports sedan" will be launched.
BMW Shows 1 Series Sedan Interior Ahead of Guangzhou Show Debut 4 photos
Photo: BMW
BMW Shows 1 Series Sedan Interior Ahead of Guangzhou Show DebutBMW Shows 1 Series Sedan Interior Ahead of Guangzhou Show DebutBMW Shows 1 Series Sedan Interior Ahead of Guangzhou Show Debut
Ahead of that all-important date with front-wheel-drive destiny, the Bavarian automaker has posted a few new photos, including one of the car's interior.

As expected, it looks a lot like the cabin of the X1 and the 2 Series Active Tourer. All three are based on the same UKL1 platform, but this level of parts sharing borders on... Volkswagen.

Despite having quite a brash body, the first front-wheel-drive sedan BMW made is old-fashioned, with only some red ambient lighting to suggest we are in the 21st century.

The old-fashioned gear shifter that stays in the place you put it likely connects to an 8-speed automatic gearbox like the one used by all the sister models, including the ones from MINI. Both the dash trim and the headliner are gray, while the analog instrument cluster is not typical of a modern luxury car.

The full engine range has already been revealed in time for the launch. The base car is going to be an 118i, powered by the MINI Cooper's 1.5-liter turbo good for 136 horsepower. The 120i and 125i will both use 2.0-liter turbo engine, offering 192 and 231 horsepower, respectively.

The styling of the 1 Series sedan is kind of its main selling point, that and the badge. Like the RWD hatchback that shares its name, its grille looks like a pig's upturned nostrils. But everything else is sporty, sportier, in fact, than a 3 Series.

The halo lights have that new hexagonal look and are matched by oversized intakes. Like the Mercedes CLA, it has the profile of a coupe, which BMW added because all its customers are going to be image-conscious Chinese youngsters. We're not going to say a FWD BMW sedan is a sacrilege, but it marks the beginning of a new era, one in which the company capitalizes on its past greatness. Pretty soon, Bimmers will come with a proprietary headphone dongle.
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About the author: Mihnea Radu
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Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida.
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