Friday, August 12, 2011

2013 BMW 1-Series GT : Latest Reviews


While its MINI dealerships expand and BMW plans to double North American production, it's even busier behind the scenes working on the next generation of its most compact platform. A handful of new BMW 1-Series variants are rumored to be in the works for the next-gen model, known internally as the F20.

The new variants include a new version of both the Coupe and Cabrio, as well as the Hatchback, but this trio may also be joined by a compact roadster model and potentially a crossover-wagon built in the same vein as the larger 5-Series GT. We do know the automaker is working on a 3-Series GT, which BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer has hinted at on several occasions in the past, but now it appears that there could be an even smaller 1-Series GT as well.

Designers will be stressing the car’s coupe characteristics just as they did with the 5-series GT. Expect to see extremely short overhangs, pumped fenders and sporty alloy wheels. This latest computer generated rendering gives a good indication as to what the final car may look like.

The next-generation 1-Series platform is expected to include a range of powertrains. A 1.3-liter three-cylinder turbocharged gasoline engine could replace the current 1.6-liter four-cylinder. If so, in Europe at least, five models should be available, ranging from about 136 horsepower and topping out at 326 horsepower.

The regular 1-Series Hatchback is expected to hit the market next year but other variants, including the 1-Series GT, won’t arrive until 2012 at the earliest.