The Next-Generation BMW 1 Series To Be An Electric Hatchback

BMW is preparing a major revamp of its lineup, and one of the most important new models will be the electric successor to the 1 Series, planned for 2028. It will use the new Neue Klasse platform, which will allow BMW to expand electric technology into the compact segment.

The new generation of the 1 Series will be a particularly important car for BMW because it will occupy one of the starting positions in the offer and exist in parallel with versions with internal combustion engines.

The arrival of this model is planned for 2028, and everything indicates that it will be the electric successor to the BMW 1 Series. The company has not yet confirmed all the details, but it has made it clear that it wants to strengthen its presence in the best-selling compact car segment.

The future electric BMW 1 Series will use the Neue Klasse architecture. This marks a significant change compared to the current generation of the 1 Series: the initial versions of the new electric model will have rear-wheel drive. This is particularly interesting for a compact BMW and marks the return of one of the brand’s historical characteristics in a segment where this feature was suppressed after the transition to front-wheel drive platforms.

The model could be called the BMW i1, but it won’t necessarily completely replace the classic 1 Series. The electric and gasoline versions should share a similar design but will have different technical underpinnings.

BMW is also changing its strategy and wants to tailor its offerings more to individual markets. That means different engines and fewer overall variants. Some less profitable models will be discontinued, and the 2 Series Active Tourer will not get a successor.

The company also plans to cut costs, increase the use of artificial intelligence, and reduce management positions by 20 percent by mid-2027. The goal is to increase the profitability of the automotive division. BMW also plans to turn Alpina into a standalone brand, positioned between BMW and Rolls-Royce.

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