The 1 Series has always been one of the best handling small hatchbacks on the market, and the current model remains very popular. But, now it’s time to see the brand new car.
We’ve rounded up the eight most important features and changes on the latest model...
Front-wheel-drive
For the first time ever, BMW is giving its smallest car the front-wheel-drive treatment. Since its original launch back in 2004, the 1 Series has always been rear-wheel-drive. While many have expressed doubt that the 1 Series has lost its USP, BMW claims that most 1 Series buyers won’t be put off by the change in driven wheels.
New engines
The new 1 Series has a choice of new petrol and diesel engines. The predicted best seller will be the 118i claiming around 40 per cent of the 1 Series’ sales. This engine is shared with the Mini Cooper and is a 1.5-litre three cylinder petrol engine.
The entry-level diesel is also set to get three-cylinders on the 116d - this has less power than the 118i, but more torque at 270Nm. There is also a 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel on the 118d, producing 148bhp and 350Nm of torque.
If you want four-wheel-drive, the 120d Xdrive sports a 2.0-litre diesel and is paired to an eight-speed automatic gearbox as standard.
More space
One of the biggest problems with 1 Series gone by has been its small interior and compromised boot space. But thanks to the new front-wheel-drive layout, this has freed up some additional cabin space. There is now a lot more knee, leg and headroom for passengers - as well as a deeper and longer boot. This makes the 1 Series even more appealing to families, too.
The sporty M135i
The new M135i is said to be the most powerful and driver-focused model in the 1 Series range. Unlike past versions, it’s only available with xDrive all-wheel-drive, although it doesn’t seem to dampen the driving experience. The M135i’s new four-cylinder petrol engine produces 301bhp and has an electronically-limited top speed of 155mph. Its key rivals are the Mercedes A35 AMG, Volkswagen Golf R and Audi S3, all of which are all-wheel-drive.
Less weight
The new design and development has meant that the new 1 Series has lost some of its heft – compared with the old car, this new third-generation weighs around 15kg less. While this is hardly a milestone, every small weight saving helps to improve efficiency and performance.
Specs
The model line-up for the new 1 Series consists of four trim levels. The basic SE spec comes with LED headlights, alloy wheels and adaptive drive modes. Move up to Sport and you get two-zone automatic air-conditioning and heated front seats. The M Sport features aerodynamic bodystyling and satin aluminium struts in the kidney grille, whilst adding dakota leather seats.
Sitting at the top of the range is the performance orientated M135i, which has a 301bhp 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine. Sporty bucket front seats and M Sport suspension are also fitted.
New technology
A range of new tech is available with the new 1 Series. Just a few highlights include the new head-up display, a digital key and a voice assistant.
The head-up display is a first for the new 1 Series, and also can show parking information, which is particularly useful.
The digital key, which we first saw on the 7 Series in 2015, is a smartphone rather than a key. Your smartphone can control most of the car’s functions from locking to unlocking the doors and remotely starting it. The key can also be set to just let the owner in, or revised to allow remote access to others - family members, for example.
Intelligent personal assist is a command service that allows the driver of the new 1 Series to operate their car via voice command - just by saying ‘hey BMW’, the driver can use functions and get information simply by speaking to the car. This piece of tech debuted on the new 3 Series last year.
New driver assistance
A host of new driver assistance features have been introduced to the 1 Series. A combination of camera images, radars and ultrasonic sensors will alert the driver to prevent an accident or reduce the risk of one by correcting the braking and steering.
Cruise control with braking function is standard across the range, whereas active cruise control with stop & go is available as an option.
Standard driver assistant equipment includes a collision and pedestrian warning, city emergency braking and lane departure warning, which can feed impulses to the steering wheel to let the driver know they’re drifting out of their lane.
Further assists available are the ‘Driver Assistant’, which comprises of lane change warning with blind spot detection, rear collision warning and crossing traffic warning.
All this tech means that the new 1 Series should prove to be one of the safest cars in its class.
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