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.
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.
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.
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.
