The next generation BMW 1 Series It’s expected to make its public debut sometime this year, and the company’s local product chief hints at a revitalized product lineup that will significantly increase value.
“The current car is a great little car, but I think our focus is on that [for the new one] “It will be about pricing and specifications,” said Brendan Michel, head of product and market planning at BMW Australia CarExpert.
“We have already started working on this and hope everyone will be very pleasantly surprised when we announce this [the details].”
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“F70” 1 Series prototype
Like the related 2 Series Active Tourer and its predecessors X1 and X2, the 2025 BMW 1 Series is likely to be in for a pretty significant generational overhaul, with an emphasis on engineering and leveraging the existing UKL2 front-wheel drive platform.
Expect the key changes to be a switch to BMW’s OS 9.0 for infotainment software, which runs new Google-based software instead of the Linux-based interface of existing models.
This new infotainment setup enables more digital and app-based features and services, particularly access to a growing number of add-ons via the Google Play Store.
You can also rest assured that the 1 Series ‘F70’ will offer BMW’s latest driver assistance systems as well as electrified powertrains – 48V mild-hybrid petrol and diesel options are expected, with plug-in hybrid and battery-electric versions also coming at some point expected too.
BimmerPost Forum user ritual – which claims to be collecting leaks from sources within BMW – recently released specifications of the new generation hatchback; It also notes that an electric i1 will enter production in March 2028.
The new 1 Series’ wheelbase will reportedly remain unchanged at 2670mm, suggesting that this “new” model could feature a heavily revised version of the current car’s UKL2 platform.
The 1 Series is currently offered in Australia in 118i, 128ti and M135i xDrive derivatives. Diesel versions are also available in select overseas markets, but electrification is not currently offered.
Prices start at $54,800 before on-road costs for the base 118i M Sport and rise to $76,700 plus on-road costs for the flagship M135i xDrive.
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Current 1 Series “F40”.
Based on Mr Michel’s comments, BMW Australia could be looking to sharpen its pencils to stay closer to the current Audi A3’s base price of $50,600. It is already well below the starting price of the current Mercedes-Benz A-Class of $61,900.
Otherwise, we could imagine the 1 Series retaining a similar price positioning but with higher levels of standard equipment. As it stands, the current 118i is missing standard elements like adaptive cruise control and leatherette seats.
Further details will be announced in due course and the new 1 Series is also expected to be followed by a facelifted 2 Series Gran Coupe – stay tuned CarExpert for the latest.
MORE: Everything about the BMW 1 Series