Photo: Theophilus Chin
On what should be remembered as the "Black Monday," BMW launched the 1 Series sedan, a three-body compact model that does everything right, except for where it sends its power to.
Yes, we knew this was going to happen for a while, but that doesn't mean it's any easier to digest the fact that this nice-looking Bavarian sedan has front-wheel-drive. We've driven the 2 Series Active Tourer as well as every MINI out there and so we know that's not exactly the end of the world, but BMW was the only brand that still had something special in this segment, and now it's gone. Well, you can always order one with xDrive and it never happened.
Luckily(?), we don't have to bother our heads with this as the BMW 1 Series Sedan is only available in China at the moment, so most of us still have the RWD hatchback to enjoy. However, the other two premium German manufacturers offering similar models in this segment have been using the front-wheel-drive architecture from the beginning: we're talking about Mercedes-Benz's CLA-Class and the Audi A3 Sedan.
Following the somewhat recent partnership between Mercedes-Benz and Nissan, the latter's luxury division, Infiniti, used the former's MFA (modular front architecture) platform underpinning models such as the A-Class, the GLA-Class, the B-Class or the CLA-Class to build a compact range of its own. Right now, Infiniti only sells the Q30 hatchback and the QX30 crossover, but expanding the lineup with a sedan would make sense since that type of body is preferred to a hatchback in some markets.
Anticipating this move, Theophilus Chin imagined what a vehicle like this would look like, and it seems like the answer is "very Mazda-ish." Indeed, this rendering makes the similarities between Infiniti and Mazda's design even more prominent. The Q30 Sedan looks like a more embellished Mazda3 Sedan, with extra creases, some more chrome, and a more aggressive grille. But even though the Mazda isn't a premium vehicle, this comparison should still be considered a compliment. See for yourself.
Luckily(?), we don't have to bother our heads with this as the BMW 1 Series Sedan is only available in China at the moment, so most of us still have the RWD hatchback to enjoy. However, the other two premium German manufacturers offering similar models in this segment have been using the front-wheel-drive architecture from the beginning: we're talking about Mercedes-Benz's CLA-Class and the Audi A3 Sedan.
Following the somewhat recent partnership between Mercedes-Benz and Nissan, the latter's luxury division, Infiniti, used the former's MFA (modular front architecture) platform underpinning models such as the A-Class, the GLA-Class, the B-Class or the CLA-Class to build a compact range of its own. Right now, Infiniti only sells the Q30 hatchback and the QX30 crossover, but expanding the lineup with a sedan would make sense since that type of body is preferred to a hatchback in some markets.
Anticipating this move, Theophilus Chin imagined what a vehicle like this would look like, and it seems like the answer is "very Mazda-ish." Indeed, this rendering makes the similarities between Infiniti and Mazda's design even more prominent. The Q30 Sedan looks like a more embellished Mazda3 Sedan, with extra creases, some more chrome, and a more aggressive grille. But even though the Mazda isn't a premium vehicle, this comparison should still be considered a compliment. See for yourself.
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