Auf Wiedersehen: BMW bids farewell to the last RWD 1 Series

All good things must eventually come to an end it seems. After fifteen years, the rear-wheel drive, six-cylinder BMW 1 Series will be no more as it will be replaced a newer front-wheel drive layout. 

To give the last rear-wheel drive hatchback a proper send-off, BMW’s Australian division built  handful of a limited batch of M140i Finale Edition. Featuring a more aggressive bodywork, the M140i is the company’s farewell gift to the old rear-wheel drive 1 Series before making it into a front-wheel drive model.

Unlike the standard M140i, BMW said that the Finale Edition comes with cosmetic changes. For starters, it gets a blacked-out kidney front grill and blacked-out exhaust tips. In addition, it also comes with 18-inch alloy wheels that are available in three different designs.

BMW says goodbye to its last RWD hatch with M140i Finale Edition image

Other available features in the M140i Finale Edition include LED headlights, adaptive M suspension, 8.8inch infotainment system with a Harman-Kardon sound system, and a power sunroof.  

Under the hood, the M140i is powered by a meaty 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six. It pushes out an impressive 335 PS with 500 Nm of torque and is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Sprinting from 0 - 100km/ is swiftly achieved in a mere 4.6 seconds while top speed is rated at an electronically-limited 250 km/h.

With the next-generation BMW 1 Series set to replace one of the last of the rear-wheel drive hatcbacks, the Finale Edition will serve as the swan song of legendary five-door hatchback.