[vb-saan]

Originally Posted by mango_pal

Does the 1 Series have a FWD or RWD layout?

The current 1-series (which is expected in India) is RWD.

However, BMW have plans to introduce FWD cars based on next gen Mini’s
platform. And the next gen 1-series (scheduled for 2017) could be a FWD.

[mango_pal]

Originally Posted by vb-san

The current 1-series (which is expected in India) is RWD.

However, BMW have plans to introduce FWD cars based on next gen Mini’s
platform. And the next gen 1-series (scheduled for 2017) could be a FWD.

Fantastic. I hope they get the 135i. Though that would be a hope in hell.
Better lap it up before they ruin it with FWD. Though it would be cheaper and simpler to make.
RWD + hatchback + 50-50 weight dist. + Manual + 250bhp = wet pants

I'm not too fond of the Mini, I think its overrated. Too much of a pain to drive in the city and it's lost the original charm of its ancestor. The current Mini is HUGE.

[a4anurag]

Originally Posted by devil_klm

1 Series is at 19K pounds in UK and roughly 31L INR. BMW may need to use max localization for this to make an affordable luxury.

According to them they are going to maximise on localization to keep the ex-showroom prices of the car to be on the lower side. Lets see how much localization can the get in without sacrificing on quality and reliability. 31L is A4 territory though.

Originally Posted by devil_klm

My click of 1 Series

Good click buddy and for a minute I thought why have you posted a polo in the BMW thread. But later on looked at the car and found the logo.

Looks cool and if it s a RWD variant then it is going to be a hoot to drive.

Anurag.

[karan561]

It will be interesting to see if India get the new 1 series (F20) or not



^ New vs Old - Whats your pick ?

[vb-saan]

Originally Posted by karan561

It will be interesting to see if India get the new 1 series (F20) or not

^ New vs Old - Whats your pick ?

It should be the F20. Its close to 18 months since it was launched globally.

I did not like the F20 when it was launched, but over the months it has started looking quite acceptable . It looks more proportionate than the old one, and a bit more spacious inside.

Is the old one still on sale in Europe?

A short but interesting review of the 1 series:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsuEFEmoaWA

[a4anurag]

Originally Posted by karan561

^ New vs Old - Whats your pick ?

I'd pick the new one. Looks modern and sporty too.

Specially the red colour in the picture and the video looks good on the hatchback.

Anurag.

[devil_klm]

Originally Posted by karan561

It will be interesting to see if India get the new 1 series (F20) or not

Attachment 1078619

^ New vs Old - Whats your pick ?

My vote goes to the New one. New one with some stripped down features than the one available internationally. Price it in the range of Golf or the premium sedan range.

[karan561]

Originally Posted by a4anurag

I'd pick the new one. Looks modern and sporty too.

Specially the red colour in the picture and the video looks good on the hatchback.

Anurag.

Originally Posted by devil_klm

My vote goes to the New one. New one with some stripped down features than the one available internationally. Price it in the range of Golf or the premium sedan range.

The new 1 series(F20) looks fresh and competition ready i.e. to battle it out with the A Class;

[DRIVE_ADDICT]

Will Indian market accept these luxury hatches?

German big players are coming up with entry level luxury hatches, Benz rumourred to price its A-Class around 20 lakhs.

I could see the average Indian buyers always like to proportionate Money with Size, Recently when my cousin bought an A4, many in the family and friends circle asked why you spend 30 odd lakh for a car which can seat only 4 people? :-D

[a4anurag]

Originally Posted by DRIVE_ADDICT

Recently when my cousin bought an A4, many in the family and friends circle asked why you spend 30 odd lakh for a car which can seat only 4 people? :-D

Congrats to your cousin for the A4. But sad to hear such things after spending a fortune on a luxury car. This feeling is there in most of them. Size matters with the money plonked in.

Anurag.

[devil_klm]

Originally Posted by DRIVE_ADDICT

Will Indian market accept these luxury hatches?

There will be takers for this car but will be minimal and price will be higher i guess. In international market these are considered as a normal premium hatch which a common man can consider and not in India. Also if they priced in a lower price bracket, think about the sale and A$$ of these cars. They need to share the same place where other high end cars are using which some of the premium users may not prefer. It may be the opposite situation which we thought when maruthi launched Kisashi at the same dealership where other budget models were sold. Your thoughts?

[vb-saan]

Originally Posted by devil_klm

There will be takers for this car but will be minimal and price will be higher i guess. In international market these are considered as a normal premium hatch which a common man can consider and not in India.

I believe these cars (1-series, A-Class etc.) will be fairly successful in India. More than the value (or usability) it provides an entry into the BMW/Merc/Audi world for a price below (or around) 20 lakhs. The pre-facelift X1 did well in India for the same reason. Other than being the cheapest BMW, I did not find any major USP for that car.

The new 1-series is high on quality (on par with the 3-series), and the space in offer is quite similar to the previous gen 3-series. It’s a big hatchback by Indian standards.

[bobbafett]

Originally Posted by karan561

The new 1 series(F20) looks fresh and competition ready i.e. to battle it out with the A Class;

Attachment 1078895

Is it just me or does the rear end of the 1 series looks a lot like the rear end of the Polo?

[DRIVE_ADDICT]

Originally Posted by devil_klm

There will be takers for this car but will be minimal and price will be higher i guess. In international market these are considered as a normal premium hatch which a common man can consider and not in India. Also if they priced in a lower price bracket, think about the sale and A$$ of these cars. They need to share the same place where other high end cars are using which some of the premium users may not prefer. It may be the opposite situation which we thought when maruthi launched Kisashi at the same dealership where other budget models were sold. Your thoughts?

Kisashi case is totally opposite, A brand known for budget cars enterred into premium segment and got hurt. People can't accept/relate Maruti suzuki with premiumness. Vitara and Kisashi is the evident.

1 series and A class MUST share the same place (showroom and A$$) with the brand's high-end siblings, otherwise this will surely not stand in the market. Merc and BMW definetly know this. Most people will go for this for 'brand' sake, and if they get step motherly treatment no one will spend on it.

[karan561]

Originally Posted by bobbafett

Is it just me or does the rear end of the 1 series looks a lot like the rear end of the Polo?

Yup !

Majorly due to the tail lamp design, but good observation