This report comes via Autocar and claims that BMW is mulling over plans for a 300hp 1 Series sedan M model to take on the likes of the Mercedes CLA45 AMG and Audi S3 sedan.

Per Autocar:

BMW is hatching plans for a hot entry-level M model based around a new saloon version of the second-generation 1-series.

The compact four-door aims to provide BMW with a direct rival to the upcoming Mercedes-Benz CLA45 AMG and Audi S3 saloon. The new BMW has already been earmarked to run a highly strung 2.0-litre turbo engine with at least 300bhp.

However, because of the heavy engineering workload facing BMW on existing new model development, the compact M Performance saloon is unlikely to hit the UK until the latter half of 2015 at … CONTINUED

BMW inside Scott26 has posted the following summary of the upcoming 1 series, 2 series, M2, Z1, Z2, and X2 lineup, as plans stand now.

By 2020. BMW hope to have projected sales of over two million units.

The larger majority of this level of sales will be combined MINI/BMW based upon the UKL architecture of around 600,000 units , then you can factor in another large number of dedicated SAV sales before we get to the regular series models. As I have said before welcome to the automobile industry.

It is easy for the question “if I was in charge this what I would do?” But today you have to take in consideration of growing segments , established segments , established markets , new markets and exploiting … CONTINUED

It’s no secret that BMW has aspirations to move into the compact premium FWD car market, having recently debuted its BMW Concept Active Tourer (which will launch as a production model next year). BMW believes that its new FWD architecture, known as the UKL platform (which will be shared with future MINI models), will be key to driving the company’s future growth.

The company projects that the premium small car market will become the fastest-growing segment and it needs to expand aggressively into this market in order to battle for the top spot in luxury car sales over the next decade.

Up to 20 New Models Proposed

So just how expansive will BMW’s FWD lineup be? According to some recent reports, very extensive.

Frank Niederlaender, the company’s product manager … CONTINUED

If resident BMW insider Scott26 is correct, the upcoming 1 Series FWD BMW model lineup will be available with M Sport packages.

Although the FWD models will be front-wheel driven, BMW has sporty intentions with the lineup; something we don’t doubt judging by how well MINIs (with which the FWD 1 Series models will share the UKL platform) handle and perform. Offering M Sport packages for the FWD BMW models will serve to enhance the sportiness (in looks, and perhaps performance) of the future front wheel drive range of cars.

Here are some speculative renders by resident digital artist Harold Wood of the BMW Concept Active Tourer (CAT) FWD electric hybrid in M Sport trim.

The FWD 1 Series “Compactive Tourer,” - the first model in BMW’s upcoming lineup of FWD 1 series cars, will be making its world public premiere at the 2012 Paris autoshow in late September, but a purported design diagram of its rear lights has now been revealed. The FWD 1 series models ride on the UKL platform, which it will share with the upcoming MINI models. It will hit the market sometime in 2013.

Its tail lights appear to feature the floating light bar design seen in recent BMW models. The circular hole behind the light bars will house the brake light and the holes at the bottom of the lights are likely indicator and reverse bulbs.

The FWD 1-series models will join the rest of the 1-series … CONTINUED

According to a report from Automotive News, BMW is considering adding a second North American plant - in Mexico. It would join the Sprtanburg, SC plant as the only other BMW plant in N.A.

Production at the Spartanburg plant has included the X5, X6, X3, and Z4 (no longer built in Spartanburg) and will soon include the X4 SAV. The potential Mexican plant would expand that to the 3 Series and future FWD 1 Series models. Production would set to begin at the plant in late 2016 / early 2017.

As many as four Mexican locations are being considered, with a decision due next year. Should it be built, the Mexican plant would eventually produce 100,000 - 150,000 vehicle annually, but start by producing no more than 40,000 … CONTINUED

The BMW 1 Series GT (AKA Compactive Sports Tourer Concept), BMW’s first ever first front wheel drive model is expected to debut at the upcoming 2012 Paris Motor Show at the end of September. The 1GT shares the UKL platform with the upcoming next generation MINI.

BMW inside Scott26 provides some insight on what to expect:

BMW Compactive Sports Tourer Concept is literally a few short weeks away [at the 2012 Paris Motor Show at the end of September].

We can consider the BMW i3 to be a revolutionary concept in terms of design and drivetrain but the term revolutionary can also be applied to the first of BMW’s venture into FWD territory.

The sketch is what happens when you spend more than a few minutes on putting something … CONTINUED

Automotive News has also published a report supporting the claim that BMW has plans to launch a 1 Series [2 Series] sedan. They claim that BMW will bring the RWD small sedan in 2015 to rival the future Audi A3 and Mercedes CLA sedans, both expected as early as next year.

According to them, company sources say the growing dimensions of the 3-series sedan led to the decision to build this sedan.

Ever since the introduction of the first M Performance cars (the new BMW model lineup slotting between the M models and regular series cars) earlier this year, we’ve been hearing and BMW has been hinting at such cars for the North American market.

Now that the first petrol model, the M135i (official info | reviews), has debuted, Autoweek reports that the M235i coupe will be the first M Performance model to arrive in the U.S. and Canada. The report states that the M235i coupe will start sales in the States in early 2014, after a debut at the 2014 Detroit Auto Show. We think this may be too early of an estimate however, unless the M235i will be launched together with the F22 2 series coupe (which … CONTINUED