A BMW 1-Series four-door hatchback was spotted in San Francisco this week by i-Club forums member ‘adizon.’ It was not clear why the car was in the United States, or if it was being tested by BMW. The automaker has long said it won’t bring the 1-Series hatch to the United States, and instead will wait for the 1-Series Coupe and Convertible. Full image after the jump…
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07/16, 4:02 PM
posted by:
Renton
Please bring this car to the US, I need a small German car, I do not want to get an A3 3.2 S-Line, but I will if there is no BMW model.
07/16, 7:55 PM
posted by:
Brandon
If the success of the Audi A3 is any indication of the success BMW could have by bringing the 1-series stateside, I think its wise for BMW to act quickly. I live in Venice, CA and on my sreet, which is probably only 300 yards long, there are 4 A3’s. There is totally a market in the US among “trendy” and young professionals for this type of car. Both cars are also excellent at bringing this demographic into the respective automakers fold – you buy an A3 this year, they you buy an A4 or A6 3 or four years down the road.
07/16, 7:56 PM
posted by:
Mitchell
Bring it baby!
07/16, 8:32 PM
posted by:
chris
I hope you’re right Brandon – I own an older A4 now and am seriously considering an A3 as its replacement. I’m a little worried about how well they’re selling though, as I’ve seen less than 10 out on the roads since they were introduced last year (east coast). I don’t want Audi to stop bringing them to the US, so its good to hear your experience seeing so many A3’s out in CA….
07/16, 8:58 PM
posted by:
sc
With DSG, sedan-like interior dimensions and reduced prices on options vs. the A4, the A3 has some advantages for being the cheapest Audi. People who know are choosing the A3 because of this. Of course the communter crowd needs a sedan for the grown-up prestige factor, so the A4 wins there.
I don’t know if the8
07/16, 9:38 PM
posted by:
Uncle Sam
Nice car.
07/16, 10:35 PM
posted by:
V'duv Kux Klan
This car is for sale in Mexico it migh’ve been of a tourist visiting california
07/16, 10:58 PM
posted by:
Anonymous
I dunno, it’s got a califonia plate, probably a Manufacturer’s plate…..
07/17, 12:49 AM
posted by:
manny
^could we have pro/anti-gm spam back instead of that ****?
i cant see much of a business case for the 1 hatchback in the us… dunno if theres really even one for the a3… but i could see coupe/convertible versions working…
07/17, 3:10 AM
posted by:
jordan
nice car
07/17, 3:11 AM
posted by:
jordan
this car looks like crap
07/17, 3:16 AM
posted by:
Lukas
Here in europe this car is usual, I hope BMW will bring it also to US.
07/17, 6:14 AM
posted by:
Bishop
I actually saw one of those on interstate 40 in TN right outside of Memphis. I had to do a double take to make it was what it was. I saw a 1 series. I drove slowly behind the car then I pulled around to the side. And finally simply passed him (A guy was driving it) and looked at it the rearview mirror. The car actually looks beefier and more muscular in person than in pictures.
I saw one in person in TN.
07/17, 9:08 AM
posted by:
Anonymous
WHy not just buy a Malibu Maxx or 9-3 SportCombi? Do the right thing and buy GM.
Sheesh you people can be so ignorant
07/17, 9:09 AM
posted by:
GMrules
WHy not just buy a Malibu Maxx or 9-3 SportCombi? Do the right thing and buy GM.
Sheesh you people can be so ignorant
07/17, 9:11 AM
posted by:
Danny Futuro
ditch the rear passenger doors and the car would be drop dead GORGEOUS.
07/17, 3:20 PM
posted by:
I Wankalot
Look it’s a 5 door hatchback not a 4 door you ignorant twats. yes you can buy one in Mexico at http://www.bmw.com.mx and import it. The A3 is such a hit BMW will import it but it is tiny in the back.
Danny a 3 Door is on its way to Europe as we speak
07/17, 3:24 PM
posted by:
gsh
haha yes! bring this car to the US so that the 3 series will go up in price…now even golf driving yuppies can get a BMW badge…oh man this thing is seriously ugly lol
07/17, 3:44 PM
posted by:
Crackity Jones
What is wrong with a Golf? And I thought BMW was the car for yuppies already.
07/17, 3:57 PM
posted by:
I Wankalot
Manny the A3 is a huge hit
07/17, 7:40 PM
posted by:
tokyo watching
ummmm…..they are all over tokyo……..
07/17, 8:13 PM
posted by:
Camron
the guy driving the 1-series could be from mexico..
07/17, 8:54 PM
posted by:
dan from detroit
wait, i thought these things were already out.. ive seen a silver one and a blue one up here in detroit. right by the chrysler headquarters
07/17, 10:36 PM
posted by:
jimbo -- gulph mill$
to # 1… i would love a small sporty german car as well.
i suggest gettn the a3 2.0T b.c Audi’s 6 cylinder engine adds too much weight to a possibly aggressive car. the 2.0t engine is real fun.. and if you can wait check out the new audi tt. beauty in a car.
i would love a 1 series hatch but i’ll take the coupe too. ::crosses fingers for 5 door hatch::
07/25, 1:48 PM
posted by:
BayAreaBMWFan
The car has CA DST license plates which means that this car is an official BMW company car. This also means that they are trying out the car here. Hopefully they will launch it soon.
08/16, 7:26 PM
posted by:
will
it just makes sense- a nice-looking,fast(0-100kmh or 0-62mph in less than 7.9 seconds, top speed of 137 mph) rear wheel drive 4 door hatch with 6 sp man and diesel gets 50 mpg combined city/highway, or over 60mpg on highway (and u can make bio diesel for about 70 cents a gallon) and well equiped under $30,00 us (current exchange rates) i would love to have this car. Big oil and the bush administration, though, probably do not want to see this car in the US