The first of the fourth-generation BMW 1 Series came off the production line at BMW Group Plant Leipzig today. BMW said it was a 120 model in Alpine White for a customer in Germany.* The new BMW 1 Series is due for market launch in October 2024. When first introduced in 2007, the 1-series was a successful bet that a small hatchback doesn’t need to equate to cheap.

The so-called premium compact is manufactured exclusively at Plant Leipzig, in Saxony, where up to 500 of the cars can be made per day. Combined with the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe, BMW 2 Series Active Tourer and MINI Countryman, daily production from Plant Leipzig is as many as 1300 vehicles. Since t2007 the plant has manufactured more than 1.3 million in a range of variants. As at the end of June 2024, ~443,000 third-generation BMW 1 Series have been delivered to customers.

The body of the new BMW 1 Series is available in a choice of two solid-color and seven metallic finishes. BMW Individual paintwork will also be available, along with a wide range of BMW Individual Special Paints. The new BMW 1 Series is the first BMW to have optional contrast paintwork, with a roof in high-gloss black. As with the MINI Countryman, the roof will be painted at Plant Leipzig using a new overspray-free painting. The method is currently being piloted and works without producing the mist of excess paint that usually occurs.

Inside, the new BMW 1 Series is completely leather-free as standard. The redesigned cockpit has the BMW Curved Display. The optional M Sport Package is available from at launch in Europe.