The excitement brewing around BMW’s latest project has car enthusiasts on the edge of their seats. Yes, BMW has just dropped a tantalizing teaser for the revamped 1-Series, replete with the coveted M badge. It’s not simply speculation anymore; the BMW M division is officially in on the action, promising a new level of high-octane driving pleasure come 2025.
Shrouded in mystery, BMW has hinted at the arrival of the new 1-Series via an enigmatic teaser video and evocative Instagram posts. What sets this reveal apart is BMW M’s involvement right from the get-go, ensuring that our first taste of the new model is that of a high-performance hot hatch. The BMW 1-Series, slated to receive the internal code F70, appears to be in line for not just any refresh but a comprehensive overhaul.
The F70 1-Series is expected to draw heavily from its predecessor, the F40, but with substantial updates under the hood and in its design language. Without reinventing the wheel, BMW aims to refine the existing platform, much as they have with the recent iterations of the BMW X1 and X2. However, the 1-Series will retain its signature five-door hatchback silhouette, updated with reimagined front and rear bumpers, new LED lighting configurations, and a suite of cutting-edge tech upgrades in the cabin.
BMW stoked the flames even further by posting a nostalgic video on Instagram, chronicling every previous generation of the 1-Series while dropping the line, “Ready for the new 1? First we celebrate the last 20 years”. Adding fuel to the fire, BMW M’s account chimed in with a suggestive caption, “There is a new ONE coming soon”. If that doesn’t whet your appetite for the upcoming hot hatch, we don’t know what will.
Solidifying its sporty credentials, the enhanced 1-Series will showcase deeper side skirts, a discreet rear spoiler, and quad tailpipes reminiscent of the M135i xDrive. The interior will not be left behind, with advanced digital displays and the latest innovations from BMW’s technological arsenal.
The existing BMW M135i xDrive compared to the upcoming M-branded model.
Interestingly, the next 1-Series will continue to use a FWD-derived architecture, shared with models like the BMW X1 and X2, as well as the ICE variants of the Mini Cooper and Countryman. The crown jewel of the current 1-Series range, the M135i xDrive, packs a punch with 302 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque from its turbocharged 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine. The big question remains whether the new model will simply be an evolved version of this, or if BMW has an even more powerful iteration in store.
Competing with the Audi S3 Sportback and Mercedes-AMG A35 4Matic+, the M135i xDrive has held its own. A ramped-up version could push the 1-Series closer to heavyweights like the Audi RS3 Sportback and Mercedes-AMG A45 4Matic+, but as of now, that’s just wishful thinking. Regardless, the wait won’t be long; all signs point to the F70 1-Series making its grand entry in July 2024.