Spy Shots: BMW 1 Series hybrid spotted in Munich
by Sam Abuelsamid on Nov 19th 2009 at 3:33PM 
BMW 1 Series Hybrid - Click above for high-res image gallery
At the launch of the BMW X6 ActiveHybrid, officials acknowledged the automaker would be producing several additional hybrid models in the near future. Rumors have been floating around that the new 5 Series – due to launch in 2010 – will get the same mild hybrid system going into the ActiveHybrid 7 and its crossover counterpart, but what about BMW's smaller offerings?
Testing near Munich, a BMW 1 Series mule was caught wearing "Hybrid Test Vehicle" badging, proving that BMW's hybrid system won't be used exclusively on its larger models. Given the small size of the 1, this will undoubtedly use a version of the same mild hybrid system, a modular setup that has the motor/generator sandwiched between the engine and transmission with a compact lithium ion battery in the rear.
The 1 Series hybrid will take on the production version of the Lexus LF-Ch concept recently shown at the Frankfurt Motor Show when it hits the market in late 2011 or early 2012. The Lexus is similar in size to the 1er, but will only be offered as a hybrid, while the 1 will retain conventional powertrain options. There's no word whether the Lexus or the 1 Series Hybrid will make it onto U.S. shores, but if both automakers plan to recoup development expenses, sales in North America are almost assured.
Gallery: Spy Shots: BMW 1 Series Hybrid
[Source: CarPix]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
JimBob 3:35PM (11/19/2009)
Bring the hatch to the States!
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Dissident 3:56PM (11/19/2009)
That's what everyone says (myself included) until they find out that the thing is gonna cost damn near $40K with what the dollar is worth... Then they buy a Mazda 3 instead and have $15K left over...
tankd0g 7:29PM (11/19/2009)
It's a pretty crappy deal compared to a Mazda3, you'd have to really want a RWD hatch which not too many people do.
AMcA 8:47PM (11/19/2009)
What a fugly little car.
Ewwwww. . . .
hankwk 3:39PM (11/19/2009)
this looks ugly as hell.
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754Boy 3:58PM (11/19/2009)
I wholeheartedly agree lol. Eww!
Erik 4:28PM (11/19/2009)
Normally I would say beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but I just cannot imagine anyone in their right mind thinking this design is attractive.
James 5:36PM (11/19/2009)
Perhaps there is some confusion...
The 1-series actually launched in initially in Europe as a 5-door hatch in MY2005.
The 3-door hatch has been on roads since MY2007. The 2-door coupe version we have in the US didn't come around until last year...
I'll agree the 3-door is a bit ungainly, but the 5-door looks quite nice. But anyway, it's polarizing styling is quite old news. The car's been out for years! The focus of this article is the powertrain.
lorenzo 3:39PM (11/19/2009)
I hope we get it here! love these 1 series - and with a hybird powertrain it will be fantastic. Really glad more driver orientated manufacturers are finally accpeting this technology.
For emissions sake - not necesairly better mileage.
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fmwso 3:44PM (11/19/2009)
Honestly, I'd rather have the Polo over this. I don't know, I think the lack of two doors on the back make it look weird imo.
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alexacoon 4:46PM (11/19/2009)
Frankly I think cars this small look terrible with four doors. Sit in something the size of an Aveo sometime and look directly to your left; your not looking out the window, the front door is so short all you see is the door Pillar and at 6' plus I have the seat back all the way I can actually look out the back window. Surely this isn't the prettiest 3 door out there but you seriously think adding extra doors, their handles, and an extra tiny window like most 5 doors would help?
James 5:39PM (11/19/2009)
alexacoon, this car was initially launched as a 5-door in Europe, and actually, yes, it does look much better:
http://bmwphotos.googlepages.com/bmw_1_series_5_door_02.jpg
But it's scheduled for a complete redesign soon anyway, so pipe down!
fmwso 7:55PM (11/19/2009)
@ James: thanks for making my point clear. I forgot to mention that this car was released as a 5 door and it does look better in my opinion.
Rev Junkie 3:48PM (11/19/2009)
BMW is making a hybrid, Ferrari has patented a hybrid drive system, and Porsche is offering a diesel. Thank God there are 580hp twin-turbo station wagons, 556hp Cadillacs, and 335hp six-speed manual Buicks to balance out all of this eco-malaise.
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lorenzo 3:52PM (11/19/2009)
what is wrong with people wanting to pollute less?
Luis 4:18PM (11/19/2009)
"Thank God there are 580hp twin-turbo station wagons, 556hp Cadillacs, and 335hp six-speed manual Buicks to balance out all of this eco-malaise."
And then you cry when gas is $4/gallon.
erinmist 5:49PM (11/19/2009)
The whole business of "polluting less" is nonsense. These hybrids have batteries that will toxify landfills someday for eons. And plug-in electrics will get most of their juice in the U.S. from coal burning powerplants. There've been countless articles that the whole "hybrid" move is nothing more than manufacturers playing to consumer demand for "green" technology -- even if the technology these consumer think they're getting is anything but green.
Rev Junkie 7:34PM (11/19/2009)
I'll tell you what's wrong, lorenzo, what harmful pollutants are cars emitting now, at least in significant amounts? And besides, BMW, Porsche, Ferrari, are performance car manufacturers. They shouldn't be pandering to "eco-conscious" douchebags with hybrids and diesels. Only Audi should be making diesel performance cars, and hybrids make terrible performance cars. The hybrid system adds weight, the regenerative braking spoils pedal feel, the transmission is most often a CVT wuss-o-matic, and for what? More MPG? Performance cars are about MPH, not MPG. Anyone who buys a hybrid BMW should be shot for sullying the name of a storied maker of sports sedans. It's worse than buying an automatic BMW that isn't a 7-series, it has the hippie cachet of a hybrid badge and the douchebag magnet that is the BMW badge.
And Luis, if I want to commute when gas is $4/gal, I can use my $5000 38mpg Civic. Performance cars aren't supposed to be wholly practical. Their main goal is...wait for it...PERFORMANCE!
Rick 4:27PM (11/19/2009)
Looks like a Hugo. It's just very corny looking and soft.
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Steven 4:32PM (11/19/2009)
Meh, at least its not the ugliest car BMW is pumping out lately. Maybe just the 2nd or 3rd ugliest.
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