BMW will soon hunt down the Audi S3 and Mercedes-AMG CLA45, with this Compact Sedan Concept providing a close look at a new 1 Series spin-off.

Officially this concept is to appease the sedan-loving Chinese market, reinforced by its debut at the Guangzhou motor show this week. Less officially but almost certainly, it will become a next-generation 1 Series spin-off – which means front- and all-wheel drive only.

“The BMW Compact Sedan Concept reveals the potential we see in a compact sedan,” firstly confirms BMW design senior vice president Adrian van Hooydonk.

BMW Compact Sedan Concept rear

That ‘generous amounts of space’ bit gives clue to the FWD platform. Although this may mean enthusiasts won’t see a rear-driven compact BMW sedan, they will at least soon see the first performance compact BMW sedan since the E30 3 Series handed the baton to the larger E46 and larger-again E90.

BMW Compact Sedan Concept interior
BMW Compact Sedan Concept front

While the recently revealed M2 coupe will do honours battling with the Audi RS3 and Mercedes-AMG CLA45, the production version of this Compact Sedan Concept will likely tap the rear bar of the latter while passing an S3 sedan.

BMW Compact Sedan Concept side

For those who can’t have an M235i or M2 for their lack of back doors, the sedan (to either be named 1 Series or 2 Series) will arrive to provide a BMW four-door option, likely within the next 18 months.