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BMW Working on 300 HP Entry Level 1-Series M Sedan

We’ll start this story about the 1-Series by talking about the 4-Series. The fact that it really exists changes everything, and proves BMW really does plan to make coupes and four-door coupes under odd numbers.
Could be AWD 1 photo
Photo: BMW
Things being as they are, it almost seems like a mistake that they launched the F20 1-Series as they have. Soon, a new, cheaper 1-Series GT will be launched, a FWD model that will surely steel some sales away. BMW is banking on FWD to keep its position at the top and recent reports suggest a sedan in 2016 with front wheel drive, a notchback boot and a price tag that’s €4,000 lower than the cheapest 3-Series. We now know this should be a 1-Series model.

The 1-Series sedan will also have to do battle with the CLA45 AMG and the Audi S3 saloon, so BMW is planning an M version. We don’t yet know if it will be a real M or an M Performance model, but honestly, the M135i is an excellent benchmark.

Autocar reports that the car will not use the 3-liter turbo engine with 320 horsepower, but a new 2-liter turbo with about 300 horsepower. This isn’t the first time we’ve heard of this, and it’s not surprising considering how the market is shaping up.

“There has been a wholesale shift in the market,” said an insider. “Our traditional M models – the M3 and M5 — have become a good deal larger, a lot more powerful, better equipped and naturally more expensive over the years. They still sell in solid numbers, but it is time to concentrate on the more affordable end of the performance range.”
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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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