Spy Photos: 2012 Five-Door BMW 1 Series spotted

Another week and some more spy photos of the next generation BMW 1 Series which will make its debut in 2012. This time, the spy photographers capture on camera a five-door 1 Series test mule during a testing session in Germany.

Judging by these photos, we are clearly looking at the 5-door hatchback, part of the future large 1 Series family. Now what makes these latest spy shots even more interesting is the RoaDyn Measuring Wheel System which uses a sensor to monitor the dynamic measurement of force and torque. Similar systems have been used before by engineers in the tuning process of AWD platforms.

Of course, we can only speculate at this point that we’re looking at an xDrive 1er model, but nonetheless, it was worth mention it.

We already know that BMW is looking to launch an extensive 1 Series line-up, from a 3-door touring, 3 and 5-door GT to 5-door hatchback and a 3-door Coupe and Convertible. A high-performance model, similar to an M car, is in works as well and sources close to BMW use the codename Supersports when referring to it.

By using the new modular platform for the upcoming 1 Series family, BMW can extend their 1 Series offerings without additional high manufacturing costs. The backbone of these models was designed especially for this purpose so every model can have a variation backbone, simply be moving suspension points and firewalls to areas that will benefit each vehicle.

BMW expands the engine offerings with new three and four turbo engines which will be used across the 1 Series models, from a 1.3 liter engine with 136 horsepower to a new 1.3-liter turbo powerplant developing 177 hp. More powerful powerplants are expects to be available as well, including six-cylinder turbo gasoline and diesel engines.

BMW still focuses on the EfficientDynamics program, so many new or existing technologies will make their way into the 1 Series models. The BMW 116d with its 64 mpg fuel consumption is still the most fuel efficient and least polluting vehicle in the current BMW line-up. Will the new three cylinder engine be able to improve those numbers? We certainly hope so.

The new 1 Series model will launch at the end of 2011, but it is unclear which variant will be offered first.