BMW 1 Series Goes FWD

After two generations of rear-wheel drive, BMW's entry-level 1 Series becomes front-wheel-drive with the rollout of its third generation. According to the German carmaker, this allows for more cabin space in the small hatchback class, especially for the rear passenger section of the vehicle.

While previous generations came in both sedan and hatchback configurations, the latest BMW 1 Series is only available in hatchback form. It's a hair shorter than the outgoing version, but the rear cabin manages to be 1.3 inches longer as a result of the FWD conversion. The 1 Series also offers the xDrive all-wheel drive option for some of its models.