1 Series (F20/F21)

The second generation of the BMW 1 Series consists of the BMW F20 (5-door hatchback version) and BMW F21 (3-door hatchback version) compact cars. The F20/F21 generation was produced from 2011 to 2019 and is often collectively referred to as the F20.

For the second generation of 1 Series, the coupé and convertible models were spun off to create the new BMW 2 Series nameplate.

The F20/F21 was initially powered by four-cylinder petrol, four-cylinder diesel and six-cylinder petrol engines. In 2015, three-cylinder petrol and diesel engines were added to the model range. All engines are turbocharged.

Unlike most hatchback competitors, the F20/F21 uses a longitudinally mounted engine and rear-wheel drive (instead of front-wheel drive) for most models. The F20/F21 is the first 1 Series to offer an optional all-wheel drive (called "xDrive" by BMW). The F20 has seen use in the British Touring Car Championship,[3] winning the Constructors' Championship and Teams’ Championship.

In China and Mexico, the BMW 1 Series (F52) 4-door sedan was also sold alongside the F20/F21 in the 1 Series range. However, the F52 is largely unrelated to the F20/F21 range, as it uses the BMW UKL platform, which is front-wheel drive and shared with the MINI, BMW 2 Series Active Tourer and X1.

In July 2019, the BMW 1 Series (F40) began production as the successor to the F20.