New BMW 1 Series Design Leaks, Shows More Sporty And Electric Version

BMW 1 Series design leak. (Photo: Carscoops)

JAKARTA BMW is reportedly preparing the latest generation of its flagship compact hatchback, the BMW 1 Series, which will also have an electric variant with the name i1. The digital rendering circulating shows significant design changes.

The car features a shooting-brake style with an elongated roof and a sharp downhill rear window. BMW Brand & Product Management Senior Vice President, Bern Koerber, confirmed that an internal combustion engine (ICE) version of the 1 Series will be maintained.

"Our ICE cars are still very important in a number of European markets such as Greece, Spain and Italy," he said as quoted by Carscoops, Wednesday, November 5.

The rendering also shows that the i1 electricity version will adopt the Neue Classe design language, with a distinctive BMW kidney-shaped grille that now extends and blends with the main lights. The front look looks more modern and aggressive, while retaining the hallmarks of BMW design.

Although there are no official technical details yet, the new generation 1 Series and i1 are expected to share a platform with other models that use the Neue Classe architecture. Several mechanical components are also said to be taken from the MINI brand line that is still under the BMW group.

In terms of design, the exterior looks more sporty and elegant. The shooting-brake style gives a dynamic impression, although the slope of the rear glass may slightly reduce the baggage space. However, the design actually features a strong and proportional emotional character.

The presence of the i1 electric version shows BMW's move to expand the Neue Classe line to the compact car segment, making it relevant amid the global automotive industry's electrification trend. The strategy also shows BMW's dual approach in dealing with the transition to electric vehicles, where it retains conventional models while introducing a full electric option.