The BMW 1-Series F40 is about to receive a mid-lifecycle update but fans of the German hatchback are already wondering whether it will survive for another generation. Thankfully for them, it appears that BMW is planning to introduce an electric successor of the 1-Series.
Ilka Horstmeier, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, spoke to Italian media Quattroruote, revealing that the automaker wants to keep offering models in “every segment”. When asked about an electric 1-Series or another compact EV, Horstmeier said:
“First of all, we operate in the premium market segment. So there is a difference in customers, they are different from those in other segments. But we focus on the entire model range. We don’t just focus on the high end. We want to offer our customers from Series 1 to Rolls-Royce, from Mini to Rolls-Royce. That’s why we have offers for customers in every segment. I truly believe that everyone should have the opportunity to buy a BMW in the premium segment.”
More: BMW’s EV Range To Go Ballistic With New i3 Sedan, iX3, iX4, And iX5
Those comments all but confirm that BMW won’t abandon the compact segment after the current generation of the 1-Series bows out of production. The F40-generation model debuted in 2019 and is expected to receive a facelift in 2024, meaning it will survive for at least a few more years. This means that a BMW i1 could arrive in the second half of the decade, serving as the entry point in the future EV lineup.
While we don’t know yet which bodystyle BMW will pick for its next-gen compact EV, our speculative illustrations depict a five-door hatchback based on the design language introduced by the Vision Neue Klasse concept. The compact model could either share its underpinnings with the BMW iX1/iX2 SUVs and the electric Mini Cooper/Countryman or ride on a newer EV-dedicated architecture.
Rivals of the BMW i1 could include the next-gen Audi A3 and Mercedes A-Class which are also poised to go EV-only by the end of the decade. Competition is also coming from Stellantis brands, with premium compact hatchbacks like the next-gen DS 4, the upcoming Lancia Delta, and the rumored Alfa Romeo Giulietta.
Electric Future With A Hint Of Hydrogen
Horstmeier said that BMW is “working intensively to reduce the cost of batteries”, describing it as “one of the most important topics of the near future” alongside extending the driving range of EVs. The high-ranked official hopes that charging infrastructure will grow fast, together with charging capacity and speed. In that context, the Bavarian automaker wants to offer a choice between smaller and larger battery packs, depending on the customer’s needs. This strategy would allow a lower starting price for an entry-level model for those who don’t really need an ultra-long driving range.
Horstmeier said that BMW is also considering hydrogen as an alternative option for the future. BMW has teamed up with Toyota to accelerate research and development of hydrogen technology. Earlier this year, BMW rolled out a small fleet of iX5s FCEVs for testing purposes. Furthermore, it has been confirmed that the Neue Klasse platform will be compatible with hydrogen powertrains, although a series-production model won’t arrive before 2030.
Note: These independent renderings are off-the-record and unrelated to BMW
Illustrations Carscoops / Thanos Pappas