2012 BMW 1 Series spotted again during testing

The 2012 BMW 1 Series continues its testing and this time, the spy photographers managed to get closer to the car. The same five-door hatchback we’ve seen last week is making a return and despite the heavy interior and exterior camouflage, we’re finally seeing more details than ever before.

As expected, the interior design is completely covered, a necessary precaution these days and testing equipment is being installed inside as well. On the exterior, for the first time we see the hatch being opened and in our opinion, the new 1 Series seems to have decent cargo space.

Overall details of the next 1 Series are still sketchy at this time, but the rumor mill says BMW is looking into more 1er variants, from a 3-door touring, 3 and 5-door GT, to five-door hatchback and a 3-door Coupe and Convertible.

We also know that a Z2 Concept using the 1 Series platform will be unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Just a few days ago, we learned about the possibility of BMW introducing a new Series, carrying the Y naming convention which aims to be the hybrid of an X vehicle with the aura of a Z model.

This brings us to the next item on the agenda: the 1 Series new platform. Looking to reduce the overall costs of a new car, BMW designed a new modular platform for the upcoming 1 Series family. The backbone of these models was designed especially for this purpose so every model can have a variation backbone, simply be moving suspension points and firewalls to areas that will benefit each vehicle. Corroborated with more parts sharing, this new approach will allow BMW to reduce even more the production costs. As Scott27 mentions, the next 3 Series will also use a modular platform, but its only variant would be a 3 Series Gran Turismo model.

Even though the engine line-up has not been finalized, sources indicate many new three and four turbo engines will be used across the 1 Series models, from a 1.3 liter engine with 136 horsepower to a new 1.3-liter turbo powerplant developing 177 hp. Moving up in the 1 Series class, the 120i will get the a 218 hp 2.0-liter turbo, while the 135i will continue using the N54 3.0 liter twin-turbo engine. Diesel and hybrid versions are going to be available as well.

As we enter deeper into the summer season, we  expect to see more and more 1 Series test mules.

[More photos at Worldcarfans ]