Thursday, 13 September 2012

2013 BMW 1 SERIES GT. REAL OR FAKE?


When you get a copy of the latest issue of AutoBild magazine, assuming you’re in Europe of course, take a very close look at the cover. Are you looking at the new BMW 1 Series Gran Turismo, or is it something fake? We reckon this is the real deal, and the concept model will make its way to the 2012 Paris International Motor Show.


We know that BMW has been working on and will launch a 3 Series GT later this year, to follow in the tracks of the rather pointless 5 Series GT. What we hadn’t counted on was a baby GT, namely the 1 Series GT. While it’s pretty obvious the 3 Series GT is pitched against the Audi A5 Sportback, we aren’t sure where the 1er will fit it. It’s possibly a Mercedes-Benz B-Class rival, but if it’s smaller, then you are looking at a previous-generation A-Class segment.

Word is, this is the first of a number of front-wheel-driven (FWD) BMWs to come. Company chairman Norbert Reithofer said two years ago that a great number of BMW drivers have no clue which wheels their cars pull on. Therefore producing FWD like Audi does, would mean nothing to them.

The 1 Series GT will possibly be powered by a range of small new engines, including 1.5-litre turbo and even a 3-cylinder turbo! A full production version goes on sale in 2013.

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