The 1-Series Hatchback

[langstro]

Why BMW never brought this to the States, I will never figure out.
If they brought the diesel version of this, imagine the competition it would have with the A3 TDI, or any TDI.

[FSETH]

Hatchbacks are horrible looking, imo. Even BMW ones.

[mrbmwx5]

Hey hey .... I use to own an 318ti ... Love it so much I have to sell it in 8 days . Lol

[JCL]

Originally Posted by langstro

Why BMW never brought this to the States, I will never figure out.
If they brought the diesel version of this, imagine the competition it would have with the A3 TDI, or any TDI.

Because US consumers famously equate hatchbacks with low cost economy cars. It isn't just BMW; Toyota, Ford, GM and others all took perfectly good hatchbacks that were successful in other countries and grafted trunks onto them for the North American market. Ridiculous. Personally, I like hatchbacks, I think they are very practical.

[Mike V]

I like hatchbacks. I've had a few GTIs and a Mazdaspeed3. The 1-series hatch doesn't appeal to me at all. I think it's butt ugly.

[Weasel]

With BMW building so many "niche'" cars lately with low speculated sales numbers to begin with you'd think they'd bring this to the states... I'd expect the 1 series hatchback with the diesel or N55 to outsell the new Z4 hands down.

[rayxi]

IMO the hatchback 1'er looks much nicer than the oddly proportioned trunked versions.

[MINIz guy]

A 1er four door hatchback with a small diesel engine would be amazing. It would compete with the VW Golf/GTI which sell pretty well and also the Audi A3's. I know I would buy one.

[AzNMpower32]

Originally Posted by JCL

Because US consumers famously equate hatchbacks with low cost economy cars. It isn't just BMW; Toyota, Ford, GM and others all took perfectly good hatchbacks that were successful in other countries and grafted trunks onto them for the North American market. Ridiculous. Personally, I like hatchbacks, I think they are very practical.

+1. Next car has to be a hatchback for me. Too bad America has a perception problem. The Canadians like their hatches but unfortunately, the Americans determine the whole of NA.

I saw a lime green Ford Fiesta sedan for the first time a few days ago (I've seen a handful of hatch Fiestas, rarely a sedan) and it was AWFUL. The trunk and taillights make it look like a confused clown car. I'm so glad that the hatch outsells the sedan even in the American market. I also saw the Ford Focus hatch and it was very nice to behold, although I wish the taillights didn't resemble an Accord Crosstour.

[LeMansX5]

Times are changing. Don't be surprised if you see this next gen 1er in future on US roads.