[Spy Photos] Upcoming BMW 1 Series Hatchback Fails to Impress?

Check out this most recent spy photo of the 1 series during one of its testing sessions. At this point, the design fails to impress. It is not as exciting as the BMW X1. The overall shape and profile as we see it now doesn’t look very promising. The only upside is that it is still covered by heavy camouflage so it can still turn for the better, and we know that it is going to be a fun car to drive.

Looking at it from the side, in pure profile view, it looks very similar to a Mazda 3 hatchback, a Mercedes-Benz A-Class or a Chevy Cruze hatchback. BMW’s signature Hofmeister Kink is not showing yet in this prototype and we’re not sure of it will appear in the future.

We are well informed of BMW’s decision to stop using the current rear-wheel drive set-up for the 1 Series Hatchback. BMW has been very vocal that the next one will transition to the same UKL-based front-wheel drive chassis used for the BMW X1 and MINI vehicles. Some fans are quite skeptical about the decision; especially since the current 1 series is one of the most fun vehicle on the road for BMW. In fact, it is the only rear-wheel drive hatch on the market so we can say that it has a niche. However, the decision to change the platform will allow BMW to go against the Audi A3 and Mercedes-Benz A-Class.

It fails to impress us now but hopefully the next sightings will ignite the excitement.