Rate It: The Rear-Wheel-Drive BMW Hatchback That America Never Got

Jordan Rimpela (FS) said:

MadScientistMatt said:

It's a bit less awkward than the E36 Compact.

Or worse. The e46 we never got:

 

 

I had to Google more pictures to make sure that was not some horrible body kit and Civic taillight swap. And the overall approach looks like it came out of the AMC playbook:

That 1-series 3 door, though, looks great. Apparently Chris Bangle was no longer channeling the spirit of Dick Teague when they got around to the 1 series.

Our favorite orangutan opinion on the M135 

But back when these were new, the general consensus was BMW didn't think the US market would stomach such a small car for the price they would have to sell it for.  Plus, they had the MINI for that market.