Two FWD BMW variants are coming according to Autocar - a FWD 5-door hatchback and a FWD touring / station wagon model. It’s scheduled to arrive in UK showrooms in 2013 and is expected to have a roomier layout/interior than RWD 1-series variants due to lack of transmission tunnel and more forward A-pillar design.

The engine options will include a 3 cylinder and turbocharged 4 cylinder engine options. The 3 cylinder will be 1.5L diesel and petrol versions and the 4 cylinder will be 2.0L turbo diesel and petrol versions, with start-stop technology, KERS, and heat recovery system. Finally, there’s potential for a ‘ti’ performance variant with 220hp 2.0L turbo 4 cylinder motor!

Some details have emerged about the 1-series LCI facelift which will be formally announced in December (and debuted at the 2011 NAIAS in Detroit) along with the 1M Coupe. As Scott26 has revealed, changes to the coupe and cabrio will include those seen on the ActiveE, including the new rear and front headlights with LED technology, restyled aerodynamics in the bumpers, new exterior colors, interior trims, and addition of new in-car technology. Both will debut at the NAIAS in Detroit in January 2011.

Autobild magazine has a new rendering of the 2012 F20 1-series, as well as what it believes is a full list of models and engines, including 5 body styles, 7 gasoline models and 4 diesel versions. The 3-door and 5-door models should debut at the 2011 Frankfurt IAA in September of next year.

Seen here is the most recent sighting of the upcoming 2012 1-series hatchback undergoing testing in southern Europe. The dual split exhausts out back hints at a turbo engine. It could be the rumored Tri-Turbo Petrol 4 cylinder engine, or perhaps the N54 6-cylinder twin-scroll turbo motor. The split exhausts, the extra cooling ducts up front in the camouflage, larger wheels, and what appears to be large brakes, all point to this potentially being a range topping F20 1-series.

The last sighting of a turbo F20 1-series was nearly 10 months ago.

Follow our complete 2012 1-series (F20) coverage: http://www.bimmerpost.com/spyshots/1-series/

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We previously reported that BMW will be introducing a front-wheel model for the next generation 1-series (in addition to traditional RWD models). The FWD 1-series models will likely be receiving 4-cylinder and 3-cylinder versions, leading some to lament that the FWD configuration along with a small motor points to these future models are being more about efficiency/budget than performance.

However, if Autocars "sources" are to be believed, the future entry level 3-cylinder 1-series models are not considered as "entry level" models, but will serious, refined, sporting engined cars with great CO2 figures. We certainly hope this to be true and that BMWs sporty car philosophy continues throughout its future lineup.

Autocar is reporting that the upcoming FWD sub 1-series BMW will actually be badged as a 1-series, which means that future 1-series BMWs will come in both RWD (next generation of current 1-series lineup) or FWD option (the additional FWD models that will be added to the 1-series lineup beginning in 2013.

The next generation 1-series is expected to spawn off additional variants not present in the current 1-series lineup. Autobild speculates and illustrates the six 1-series models it believes are slated to introduced from 2011 to 2013, including 3-door, 5-door, coupe, convertible, sports van, and GT variants.

Remember these spyshots? Looks like the photos were of a FWD hydrogen hybrid 1-series test car afterall, according to autoblog.nl. The 1-series hydrogen hybrid concept is powered by a 120hp 4 cylinder gas engine, hydrogen fuel, cell, electric motor, FWD and RWD!. The car operates on FWD on longer trips and RWD on shorter trips (RWD powered by electric motor). The fuel cell converts hydrogen and oxygen into electricity, which recharges the batteries. The energy generated from braking will also be converted to electricity and stored for use.

The hydrogen fuel cell and electric motor will power the hydrogen 1-series in local city driving and the 4-cylinder gas engine will provide assistance for … CONTINUED

Here is the latest video from Auto Motor Und Sport of the BMW F20 1-series hatchback in winter testing. It has been a while since we last saw a spy video of the new upcoming 1-series 5-door hatch. The 5 and 3-door variants are due as a 2011 model and will sport the familiar 4-6cyl variants which range from anywhere between 115-265hp. Previous spy videos: HERE and HERE.

Please visit AMS to watch the video: http://www.auto-motor-und-sport.de/w…g=iLyROoafvYio

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