Report: BMW planning next-gen front-wheel drive 1-Series frugal versions

A new report has indicated that BMW is planning several economical versions of the next-gen front-wheel drive 1-Series.

These models will be offered by the Bavarian marque under the Efficient Dynamics (ED) moniker and will also include a plug-in hybrid version which will make use of a three-cylinder gasoline or diesel engine which will enable the model to have CO2 emissions of less than even 50 g/km.

The company is also working on conventional powered frugal 1-Series models which will come with features such as underbody cladding, optimized aerodynamics, narrower wheels and tires, as well as a lowered suspension system. There are chances that the 1-Series models fitted with an automatic transmission will have a built-in coasting feature to save fuel.

Although the new 1-Series model will share its platform with the MINI, the latter will most probably won’t get the fuel-saving technologies. One of the reasons why BMW is planning to launch the economical 1-Series models is to offset the higher emissions by the bigger models in the lineup.

By the year 2020, the average CO2 emission figure across the automaker’s range will have to be below 95 g/km, as per the norms set out by EU legislation.