What's the joke with the BMW 1 series? For 3500 more, you can get a 3 series or a c250. No way I'd shell out 32000 for that thing.
well, the current 1 series and the next gen is below the 3 series. Because of this Mercedes has created it's A class hatch to go against the 1 series hatch, and the CLA to go against the 1 series sedan and coupe. Audi created the A3 to go against the 1 series as well.
Basically, they found out that there is room for a segment under the 3er, C Class, and A4. As these cars have gotten bigger, longer, and heavier. These used to be the entry level cars, now the 1 series, A and CLA class, and A3 are the new "entry level luxury".
The 1 series will come in FWD, RWD, hatch, coupe, GT-hatch, and M variant.