The new BMW 1 Series 2024 has been photographed for the first time. BMW is working at full capacity in the renewal of its iconic compact in order to boost sales. Some sales that are far from meeting the established objectives. It will premiere design, technology and bet on electrification. The renovation that is underway is much more than a simple facelift.
BMW has changed plans. The BMW 1 Series is not reaping the expected success and in the fight to win the title of best-selling premium compact in Europe, it is behind the Mercedes A-Class. The agenda established for the current generation of the 1 Series contemplated a facelift. A mid-cycle update whose coming-out was to take place this year. However, this will not happen.
The German manufacturer is aware that with a simple “facelift” was hardly going to be able to boost sales of the 1 Series. For this reason, it has ruled out this path in order to focus on the development of “new generation”. A project known internally with the code F70 and that it is already underway as evidenced by the sighting that has just occurred in broad daylight.
2024 BMW 1 Series Spy Photos
A heavily camouflaged test specimen has been photographed while parked. The fact that practically all of the exterior of the vehicle is uncovered is already an indication that we are facing “something more” than a facelift. And it is that, in the mid-cycle updates of BMW, the usual thing is that the prototypes have only the front and the rear covered.
The dense camouflage hides more important changes. In addition, there is another equally relevant detail. Equip temporary light groups. Underneath all the amalgamation of vinyl and temporary elements is a new design influenced by the 2022 BMW 2 Series Active Tourer which has recently started its commercial journey in the Old Continent. It will sport new optical groups, bumpers, hood and tailgate.
BMW will sell this renewal of the 1 Series as a new generation. Specifically, the fourth generation. However, we will be facing a set-up halfway between a “facelift” and a generational change. A profound redesign that allows for a brand new exterior design and a more digital and connected cabin.
The commitment to the electrification of the BMW 1 Series 2024
At mechanical section there will be no big surprises. The mechanical offer will continue to be made up of a selection of gasoline and diesel engines. However, the 48-volt plug-in hybrid technology (MHEV) will make an appearance to improve efficiency, reduce emissions and allow the compact BMW to wear the ECO environmental label of the DGT (General Directorate of Traffic) with all the advantages of mobility that this entails. The Series 1 platform allows the use of plug-in hybrid mechanics (PHEV). However, current information rules out this possibility.
The move to launch the “new generation” of the Series 1 as soon as possible will allow the company, in addition to boosting sales of the model, to keep it in the portfolio by allocating the least amount of resources possible, and later, give way to a 100% electric vehicle
take his place. A model capable of rivaling, among others, the CUPRA Born. Within the BMW Group itself we find a parallel to this strategy. MINI is doing the same with the new generation of its small model.
When will it hit the market? We must bear in mind that development is still at an early stage. The coming-out will take place sometime in the second half of 2023. Therefore, it will arrive at dealerships as a 2024 model. Predictably in the first quarter of that year.