German automaker BMW recently released the all-new 1 Series sedan. The car is manufactured in China and will be sold exclusively in the region as well. Many motoring analysts said that BMW is trying to capture the premium sedan segment of the Chinese motoring market, one of the fastest growing markets in the world.
The rest of the motoring community is quite divided about BMW's decision to exclusively release the 1 Series sedan in China. Some BMW-purists even went as far as calling the sedan not a "real" BMW.
#BMW 1 Series Sedan: sporty, highly emotional model exclusively for the Chinese market. https://t.co/hJ51rJ7jCe pic.twitter.com/8qZyUXrPBh
— BMW Group (@BMWGroup) February 28, 2017
The BMW Series 1 is manufactured in the northeastern Chinese city of Shenyang. BMW claims that the sedan is specifically designed for Chinese consumers. Statistics reveal that Chinese consumers prefer to buy sedans, rather than hatchbacks, the latter being one of the most popular types of cars in most markets.
"Our customers in China have been asking for a smaller model to meet their specific needs and we've worked hard with our colleagues here to make sure this car not only meets their needs but exceeds those desires," marketing director Dr. Ian Robertson said in a statement acquired by The Motor Report, BMW sales.
The new BMW 1 Series is equipped with a front-wheel drive and a choice of three turbocharged engines. Buyers can choose between two transmission choices, either a 6-speed or 8-speed automatic.
In terms of engine choice, topping the list is the BMW 125i which packs a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine which is rated with 228hp and 258lb-ft of torque. The car can accelerate from zero to 60mph in 6.8 seconds, according to Car Buzz.
Sitting on the bottom of the list is the BMW 118i which has a 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine which can accelerate from zero to 62mph in 9.4 seconds. Sandwiched between these two engines is the mid-tiered BMW 120i which packs a 2.0-liter engine with 189hp and 207lb-ft of torque. This model can accelerate from zero to 62mph in 7.5 seconds.
See Now: OnePlus 6: How Different Will It Be From OnePlus 5?
