For decades, the driving soul of a BMW was defined by power going straight to the rear wheels. That classic formula saw a major shift in the 2010s when Munich introduced front-wheel-drive architectures for its compact lineup, a move that left brand purists longing for the old days. Aside from the enthusiast-favorite 2 Series Coupe, BMW's smallest models transitioned to a more conventional layout. However, a major shake-up is brewing at the bottom of the lineup, and it is bringing the celebrated rear-wheel-drive dynamics back to the brand's entry-level car, with a modern, fully electric twist. BMW is currently developing a next-generation 1 Series that will send its power exclusively to the rear axle. The catch is that this new driving dynamic will not be powered by petrol. Instead, the fifth iteration of BMW's smallest hatchback is going completely electric, riding on a bespoke EV platform. Expected to arrive before the end of the decade, this premium compact hatchback will...