A fully camouflaged prototype of the BMW
1-Series Sedan has been spied undergoing testing in Germany around the Nürburgring.

Get ready for BMW’s third front-wheel drive model after the
2-Series Active Tourer Gran Tourer duo as the 1-Series Sedan will use the
same UKL platform also shared with the latest MINI. The Germans are saying the
model will be commercialized only in China, at least initially, but most likely
the smallest sedan from Bavaria will eventually be sold all over the world to
compete with Audi’s A3 Sedan and Mercedes-Benz’s CLA.

The prototype spotted on the ‘Ring was wearing heavy
camouflage, but it’s not that hard to imagine how the 1-Series Sedan will end
up looking as most of the styling will be sourced from the facelifted
hatchback. Only the rear end will go through some changes as aside from the
longer overhang it will likely adopt different taillights which could be
related to those of the upcoming 3-Series facelift.

Front-wheel drive will be standard, but select engines will
be available at an additional cost with an xDrive system while 6-speed manual
and 8-speed Steptronic gearboxes are a given.

The interior should largely be borrowed from the 1-Series
hatchback facelift so expect a 6.5-inch display in the instrument panel, an
optional 8.8-inch screen with navigation, standard automatic AC and other
goodies.

BMW will probably decide to show the 1-Series Sedan later
this year.