BMW America Not to Get AWD 1-Series

By Logan Utsman on Tuesday, September 18th, 2012

The next generation BMW 1-Series is fast approaching but recent news has proved a time-old Bavarian tradition. When the little car hits next year, the U.S. spec variant will lack a few trick items that will be present everywhere else. One of those will be the ultimate grip of the xDrive all wheel drive system as Americans will have to settle with spinning their BMW’s rear wheels for just a little while longer.

According to Car and Driver, the three and five door 1-Series will be available with AWD in a variety of markets. Initially, America will not be one of them but that doesn’t mean that the possibility of a U.S. spec 1-something xDrive is entirely off the table. Given the northern region’s affinity for all wheeled motoring and safety, BMW might have a market here especially considering the light weight car’s performance. In M135i form, the xDrive can rocket itself to 62 mph in just 4.7 seconds.

Gallery

2011 BMW 1-Series M Coupe Pictures