Rumored Front-Wheel Drive BMW 1 Series Sedan to launch in 2017?

Rumors of the BMW 1 Series Sedan comes back to focus after first being reported in 2012. No one knows if BMW is indeed planning a small premium sedan but Automotive News reports that a four-door model is built internally under the name NES (New Entry-Level Sedan) and it makes use of the upcoming front-wheel drive architecture which will be used in many models by BMW, including the second generation X1.

“The NES is integral to our growth plans,” a BMW insider source revealed. “It will be an important pillar in the future 1-series lineup, particularly in the U.S. and China, where sales of small premium-brand four-door sedans are on the rise.”

The rumored BMW 1 Series Sedan is highly likely to use the FWD platform (UKL) with the ability to use an all-wheel-drive setup, which can launch in 2017.

This is the step before a vehicle is issued a codename. The 1 Series Sedan will have either three- and four-cylinder inline direct-injection petrol and common-rail diesel units. A hybrid version might follow as well. However, nothing has been confirmed at the moment.