Nearly two million 1 Series models have been sold since the introduction of the first 1 Series generation ten years ago. This latest incarnation builds on the winning formula of these three- and five-door predecessors with new power units from the latest BMW engine family, additional EfficientDynamics technologies fitted as standard, and careful enhancements to the exterior and interior design.
The level of standard equipment is now even higher, new options have been added and with new mobility services from BMW ConnectedDrive, there are even more ways to increase the functionality and personalisation of the new 1 Series.
Design
The proportions, lines and surface design of the new BMW 1 Series bear all the classical hallmarks of a BMW with its set-back passenger compartment, long bonnet and short overhangs, in particular, give it a uniquely sporting presence. The new car features subtle but key differences to refine yet further the overall package. At the front, a new lower apron with larger air intakes and a horizontal bar combines with reshaped BMW kidney grilles and new headlamps that feature LED daytime driving lights as standard on all models. For the first time, full LED headlamps with low and main beam have been added to the options list, with Adaptive LED headlamps a further option. These follow the path of the road ahead, and also adapt their beam according to the type of road and conditions at any given moment. At the rear, new tail lamps with a familiar BMW ‘L’ shape design adopt striking LED technology.
The driver-focused cockpit of the new BMW 1 Series is an even more welcoming, sporty, comfortable place to sit, thanks to enhancements to the design, and the materials and fabrics used. In particular, there’s a new cloth fabric for the seats.
The BMW Radio Professional and iDrive operating system continues to be standard across the entire range so all new 1 Series models feature the freestanding, 6.5-inch Control Display, the controller wheel mounted on the centre console, and the direct menu control and favourites buttons. If the optional Professional Navigation system is fitted, the Controller comes with a larger, touch-sensitive surface for inputting numbers and characters, while the onboard monitor takes the form of an 8.8-inch display of particularly slim design.
The controls arranged below the Control Display have also benefited from detailed refinements. Both the air vents and the controls for the radio and the automatic air conditioning now feature high-quality chrome surrounds. The radio and automatic air conditioning keypads, meanwhile, are set against high-gloss black panelling.
Engines: a new power unit family
The new BMW 1 Series sees the introduction of powerplants from the BMW Group’s new engine family, plus an expansion of the standard-fit BMW EfficientDynamics technology.
The new engines bring a reduction in fuel consumption of up to 12 per cent while simultaneously providing more power and sharper responses. All engines meet the Euro 6 exhaust emissions standard and offer as much as 326hp in the new M135i, with C02 emissions as low as 89g/km in the new 116d EfficientDynamics Plus model. The eight-speed Steptronic transmission has been further refined.
| Model | Price from |
Power Hp |
Torque Nm |
0 – 62mph Seconds |
Top Speed Mph |
Combined Mpg |
CO2 Emissions g/km |
| 118i | £20,775 | 136 | 220 | 8.5 (8.7) | 130 | 52.3 (50.4) | 125 (129) |
| 120i | £23,825 | 170 | 250 | 7.4 (7.2) | 140 (138) | 48.7 (49.6) | 136 (133) |
| 125i | £26,905 | 218 | 310 | 6.4 (6.2) | 157 (151) | 42.2 (43.5) | 154 (148) |
| M135i | £31,725 | 326 | 450 | 5.1 (4.9) | 155* | 35.3 (37.7) | 188 (175) |
| 116d | £21,710 | 116 | 270 | 10.3 | 124 | 78.5 (78.5) | 94 (96) |
| 116d ED Plus | £22,560 | 116 | 270 | 10.4 | 121 | 83.1 | 89 |
| 118d | £22,855 | 150 | 330 | 8.3 (8.1) | 132 | 70.6 (74.3) | 104 (99) |
| 120d | £25,305 | 190 | 400 | 7.1 (7.0) | 142 | 65.7 (68.9) | 114 (109) |
| 120d xDrive | £28,355 | 190 | 400 | 6.8 | 138 | 62.8 | 119 |
| 125d | £30,330 | 224 | 450 | 6.3 | 149 | 61.4 | 121 |
*Electronically limited top speed.
All of the BMW 1 Series diesel engines are sourced from the BMW Group’s new engine family. Points of note include the use of aluminium for the crankcase and cylinder head, a forged steel crankshaft with integrated balancer shaft drive, the configuration of the intake and exhaust components and of the ancillary systems, a map-controlled oil pump and a longitudinal positioning in the engine compartment. Other features in common are the coating of the cylinder walls, low-weight pistons, forged connecting rods, their cylinder spacing and the volume per cylinder of 500 cc – very close to the thermodynamic optimum.
In all the petrol engines, the suite of BMW TwinPower Turbo technology includes not only a turbocharger system and High Precision Direct Petrol Injection, but also VALVETRONIC fully variable valve timing and variable adjustment of the intake and exhaust camshaft (Double-VANOS).
Petrol power: four and six cylinders
The BMW 118i and BMW 120i are both powered by a 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine. It develops 136hp and 170hp respectively, offering acceleration as low as 7.2 seconds to 62mph in the 120i and with fuel consumption and CO2 emissions of just 52.3mpg and 125g/km in the 118i. The four-cylinder engine in the 125i features a 2.0-litre displacement, providing 218hp and peak torque of 310Nm, enabling a 0-62mph time of just 6.2 seconds.
At the top of the petrol engine range remains the formidable M135i with its turbocharged straight-six engine. Power has been increased in the new model to 326hp, with peak torque of 450Nm, enabling a 0-62mph time of just 4.9 seconds, yet the ability to return 37.7mpg.
The diesels: five new engines in the range
Both the new-generation three-cylinder and latest four-cylinder engines are based on the same efficiency-led concept, and boast new turbocharging technology and further developed common rail direct injection systems. Engine response has been improved via variable geometry turbines and turbocharger shaft guidance which, depending on the engine variant, involves a slide bearing or roller bearing, while new solenoid valve injectors generating injection pressure of up to 2,500 bar increase the precision of the fuel metering process. Furthermore, advances have been made with the new diesel engines in terms of acoustic comfort as well as thermodynamics, power development and efficiency.
The 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine in the new BMW 116d generates 116hp and 270Nm of torque, an increase of 10Nm compared to its predecessor. The standout figures for the new model are a 0-62mph time of 10.3 seconds coupled to fuel consumption as little as 78.5mpg and CO2 emissions of 94g/km. These efficiency figures can be improved yet further with the 116d EfficientDynamics Plus model which, via a range of measures, attains 83.1mpg with CO2 emissions of just 89g/km.
The new four-cylinder diesel engine used in the latest BMW 1 Series is offered in three states of tune: the 118d generates 150hp and 330Nm of torque, the 120d has 190hp and 400Nm, and the 125d, with its multi-stage turbocharging, provides a very impressive 224hp with 450Nm of torque, enabling this model to reach 62mph from rest in just 6.3 seconds. The 118d can achieve a fuel consumption figure of just 74.3mpg, but even the 125d manages a highly credible 61.4mpg.
The majority of new BMW 1 Series variants are fitted with a six-speed manual gearbox as standard, offering engagement speed control for the smoothest possible gearchanges. However, the 120d xDrive all feature as standard the eight-speed Steptronic gearbox otherwise available as an option. This automatic transmission has improved internal efficiency, longer gear ratios, optimised transmission management and a vibration damper. A predictive shift strategy, which works in conjunction with the car’s navigation system – even when route guidance is not active – ensures that gear changes are timed precisely according to the prevailing driving situation.
The eight-speed Sport Automatic transmission is available as an option for the BMW 125i, BMW M135i, BMW 120d and BMW 120d xDrive models. This transmission is standard on the BMW 125d. It features even faster gearchanges, shift paddles on the steering wheel and a Launch Control function.
BMW EfficientDynamics: more technology to improve efficiency
The new BMW 1 Series features an expanded range of BMW EfficientDynamics features. As well as Brake Energy Regeneration, the need-based operation of ancillary components, Electric Power Steering, the Optimum Gearshift Indicator and the Auto Start Stop function (also available in conjunction with an automatic transmission), standard equipment for the new BMW 1 Series model range also includes ECO PRO mode, which can be activated using the included Driving Experience Control switch. On all cars specified with an automatic transmission – with the exception of the BMW 118i and the BMW 120i – ECO PRO mode now also offers a coasting function. In addition, vehicles with the Professional Navigation system come with a Proactive Driving Assistant function, which tells the driver when to lift off the throttle ahead of, say, corners, turn-offs, roundabouts and speed limits.
There have also been aerodynamic improvements, with the newly designed front apron and improved sealing between the headlights and bonnet optimising airflow. The BMW 116d EfficientDynamics Plus model also features active air flap control and specially designed kidney grille bars. With these measures in place, the new BMW 1 Series models have a lower drag coefficient (Cd) than that of their predecessors. The Cd of the new BMW 116d EfficientDynamics Plus model, for example, has been reduced to 0.29.
Equipment and BMW model lines
The new BMW 1 Series features an even greater range of standard equipment, while also offering an array of high quality options – many of which were originally developed for BMW cars in higher segments.
The BMW 1 Series is offered in three trims – SE, Sport and M Sport. The generous range of standard equipment fitted to all new BMW 1 Series models includes remote control central locking, keyless engine ignition, electric window controls, electrically heated exterior mirrors and the Driving Experience Control switch. Also included is automatic air conditioning, a multi-function leather steering wheel adjustable for height and reach, a rain sensor including automatic driving lights control and a front passenger airbag that can be deactivated. BMW Radio Professional including CD player with DAB, six loudspeakers and an AUX-In socket, and Bluetooth audio streaming functionality are other standard equipment features along with the iDrive operating system. Completing the offer is 16-inch alloy wheels, extended storage, sliding front armrest and fog lights.
Building on this in Sport for £1,000 more, the specification is enhanced to include 17-inch alloy wheels, ambient lighting, black high-gloss interior trim, Sport exterior styling elements, Sport steering wheel and Sports seats. For an additional £2,700 above SE specification, M Sport comes as standard with 18-inch M Sport alloy wheels, aluminium hexagon interior trim, M Aerodynamic body styling, M Sport suspension, Sport seats, Alcantara upholstery and an M Sport leather steering wheel.
The new M135i model has its own specific interpretation of the M aerodynamic package including even larger front air intakes and the typical BMW M Performance Ferric Grey wing mirrors. Naturally, the steering, suspension, gearbox and wheels/tyres combination have all been developed specifically for this high performance machine. Inside, the driving environment features many M-specific features such as the leather steering wheel, along with the use of the M135i logo.
All new BMW 1 Series models are optionally available with a 40:20:40 split rear seat backrest: folding one or more of the sections allows boot capacity to be increased in stages from 360 to 1,200-litres.
The options list of the new BMW 1 Series encompasses items for comfort, functionality and entertainment. These include: electrically adjustable and heated seats for the driver and front passenger, two-zone automatic air conditioning, a heated steering wheel and the Harman Kardon Hi-Fi system, complete with 12 loudspeakers and a digital amplifier with 360-watt output.
Connected Drive: Increasing and improving mobility via new services
The new BMW 1 Series again benefits from the development expertise of the world’s leading manufacturer of premium cars, offering customers a richly varied selection of driver assistance systems and mobility services.
Standard equipment for the new BMW 1 Series includes a SIM card embedded in the car, as a mobile phone connection is required to make use of the (also standard) Intelligent Emergency Call and BMW TeleServices functions, as well as the optional internet-based services. These cover ConnectedDrive Services including the BMW Online internet portal, as well as the Concierge Services personal information service, Remote Services and Real Time Traffic information. In addition, the spectrum of services customers can integrate into their cars retrospectively via apps has been expanded. All functions are safe, convenient and intuitive to use thanks to the BMW iDrive operating system, now also standard.
Drivers can integrate app functions into their car via the embedded SIM card or a smartphone. Moreover, the latest Professional Navigation system offers online-based Real Time Traffic information and updates map data “over the air”, using a mobile phone connection established by the SIM card.
An updated version of the Parking Assistant features 12 rather than the previous 10 sensors and helps the driver to select and use parking spaces lying not only parallel but now also transversely to the road. In addition, the range of features has also been extended for Park Distance Control (PDC), and there’s the option of Active Cruise Control system with Stop & Go function.
The selection of driver assistance systems available for the new BMW 1 Series also includes a rear-view camera, High Beam Assistant, Speed Limit Info including No Passing Info display and the Driving Assistant. The latter comprises the camera-based Lane Departure Warning and Collision Warning systems as well as the Attention Assistant feature.
The new BMW 1 Series is on sale 28 March, 2015 priced at £20,245 OTR for a three-door 118i SE and £20,775 OTR for a five-door 118i SE.
