F52 1 Series Sedan render project: how to make an ugly car OK...

[Paul-Bracq-BMW]

Hi All.

The just released F52 1 series sedan for the Chinese market is probably one of the most controversial BMW's in years. It's the first FWD sedan launched by the Bavarian auto maker and it is based on the Mini (and 2 series Active Tourer) UKL platform.

The proportions of the car is unlike any BMW before: a somewhat FWD derivative shape with a long front overhang (for the transverse mounted engine) and relatively short rear. Not really a classic BMW shape that we know and love. There are advantages in a FWD design though: one notices that both front and rear doors are relatively large compared to the overall size of the car. This means that the cabin will be much bigger than the current RWD 1 series. Also I believe that the design of the front bumper will probably be re-used in a modified version in the upcoming G20 3 Series.

This car, according to the information provided by BMW insiders, will probably be sold in Europe and other markets in the future, so we better get used to mainstream FWD (and AWD derivative) BMW small sedans and hatches...

I will be trying a couple of things to make it better looking.

The first part is quite straightforward and focuses of the cars' cosmetic. I will be giving the sedan a better stance with bigger wheels/tires (to fill the huge wheel gaps) and with a lowering. I will also cosmetically modify the car "soft" parts (bumpers, side skirts) to show that with a little bit of tweaking without changing the structure, the F52 can be made better.

The second part will be a much more comprehensive revision of the car (and it can be considered a full rendering work) by altering the wheelbase and overhangs to give it a proper classic RWD stance that, in my opinion, it deserves. Of course this version of the car is complete utopia, but it will show the community what this car could and should have been in the 1st place: a proper RWD small sedan.

Here are the first sets of renders (front 3/4 and profile views with bigger wheels/tires and lower stance): original car, modified car and animated gif to show the changes


Profile view:








3/4 front view:

[BEM-S4]

Looks good but just wait for the 2 GC. That's going to be sexy.

[bimmer456]

Why does one look higher than the other? Is it because of X-drive? Also what's the weight distribution FR? This almost looks like a 4 door 2 series. Wish it was RWD with the B58.

[Weiman]

Ugly according to you perhaps. I think it looks really nice.
The front overhang is really not bad compared to e.g. the CLA (which I find hideous). Hopefully that will carry over to the next 1-series hatch.

[MalibuBimmer]

The solution to everything: Slamming it and putting on bigger wheels.

Unfortunately, that won't work here.