With BMW expected to unveil the all-new 2020 1-Series hatchback on May 27th, we can take comfort in knowing that we don’t have to concern ourselves with spy images and renderings for much longer.

Still, yet another piece of the puzzle fell into place recently with our spy photographers capturing a 1-Series prototype missing its heavy front fascia body cladding, which used to cover up its kidney grille design. Thankfully, this particular car is a little less shy.

Bigger is bolder

There’s nothing like seeing a new front grille design to help you piece together what a new car will end up looking like, and whether it has a strong road presence or not. The 2020 1-Series has gone the way of many new BMW models by clearly adopting a considerably larger kidney grille, to go with its more angular headlights.

There’s actually no other BMW model in the automaker’s range right now that has this exact kidney grille design with the distinctive three-side edge aesthetic. Maybe the facelifted 7-Series/X7/X5 trio to some extent, but there’s obviously no comparison in regards to size.

The rest of the car remains well under wraps, so there’s no telling whether or not its overall design will underwhelm us, overwhelm us or …appropriately-whelm us? We just have to wait and see. At least we know that its interior design takes after that of the latest 3-Series.

Technically speaking, the 1er promises to improve on its predecessor in every way. But fans of rear-wheel drive will be disappointed, as the new model has moved on to a space-front-wheel drive layout shared with the latest X1, with all-wheel drive offered on more powerful models. Nevertheless, BMW claims that it will set “new standards in the premium compact class in terms of driving dynamics, whilst also offering significantly more space inside.”

As for power units, there will be a range of gasoline and diesel engines, plus electrified variants. BMW even confirmed a 306 PS (301 HP) 2.0-liter four-pot with TwinPower Turbo technology, to be used by the upcoming M135i xDrive in its fight against the Mercedes-AMG A35.

2020 bmw 1 series spied with less front camo 8 2020 BMW 1-Series: Here’s A Better Look At FWD Hatch’s Face
2020 bmw 1 series spied with less front camo 7 2020 BMW 1-Series: Here’s A Better Look At FWD Hatch’s Face
2020 bmw 1 series spied with less front camo 6 2020 BMW 1-Series: Here’s A Better Look At FWD Hatch’s Face
2020 bmw 1 series spied with less front camo 5 2020 BMW 1-Series: Here’s A Better Look At FWD Hatch’s Face
2020 bmw 1 series spied with less front camo 4 2020 BMW 1-Series: Here’s A Better Look At FWD Hatch’s Face
2020 bmw 1 series spied with less front camo 3 2020 BMW 1-Series: Here’s A Better Look At FWD Hatch’s Face
2020 bmw 1 series spied with less front camo 2 2020 BMW 1-Series: Here’s A Better Look At FWD Hatch’s Face
2020 bmw 1 series spied with less front camo 1 2020 BMW 1-Series: Here’s A Better Look At FWD Hatch’s Face
2020 bmw 1 series spied with less front camo 8 2020 BMW 1-Series: Here’s A Better Look At FWD Hatch’s Face
2020 bmw 1 series spied with less front camo 7 2020 BMW 1-Series: Here’s A Better Look At FWD Hatch’s Face
2020 bmw 1 series spied with less front camo 6 2020 BMW 1-Series: Here’s A Better Look At FWD Hatch’s Face
2020 bmw 1 series spied with less front camo 5 2020 BMW 1-Series: Here’s A Better Look At FWD Hatch’s Face
2020 bmw 1 series spied with less front camo 4 2020 BMW 1-Series: Here’s A Better Look At FWD Hatch’s Face
2020 bmw 1 series spied with less front camo 3 2020 BMW 1-Series: Here’s A Better Look At FWD Hatch’s Face
2020 bmw 1 series spied with less front camo 2 2020 BMW 1-Series: Here’s A Better Look At FWD Hatch’s Face
2020 bmw 1 series spied with less front camo 1 2020 BMW 1-Series: Here’s A Better Look At FWD Hatch’s Face

Photo Credits: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien for CarScoops