NOW THAT BMW Australia has recognised the profits to be made from the premium small hatchback segment, they expect even greater returns when the new 1 Series arrives later this year.
The third-generation model BMW 1 Series debuts new BMW front-wheel-drive architecture, with a significant increase in interior space. It also features a new styling package inside and out, plus new levels of technology, standard safety options and BMW firsts in both equipment and powertrain offerings.
Two models will be available at launch in Q4: the 118i and M135i xDrive, providing buyers with the option of a highly specified entry level model and a potent high-performance variant.
Both launch models deliver smooth and progressive power delivery with the latest BMW three and four cylinder engines, combined with sporty seven and eight speed transmissions.
The 1.5-litre three-cylinder TwinPower Turbo engine of the BMW 118i produces 103kW and 220Nm, and helps deliver the standard sprint in 8.5 seconds.
The BMW M135i xDrive features the most powerful four-cylinder engine BMW has ever developed, delivering 225kW and a whopping 450Nm.
The two-litre unit helps propel the M135i xDrive to 100km/h from rest in just 4.8 seconds with traction aided by the celebrated BMW xDrive system. It is the first time a 1 Series has been offered in Australia with xDrive.
More aggressive design
The styling package of the new BMW 1 Series features flowing lines with a shorter bonnet that blends into the windscreen and a long roofline that drops away towards the rear.
Significantly, the compact body offers considerably more space than its predecessor within an almost identical footprint.
The new BMW 1 Series is 5mm shorter than the outgoing model, 34mm wider and 13mm taller.
A wide tail with an athletic shoulder line above the rear wheel arches underlines the car’s squat stance when viewed from behind.
Two-part rear light elements with full-LEDs provide a contemporary, signature BMW look.
The side profile also displays traditional brand design cues, from a pronounced shark nose to the Hofmeister kink at the C-pillar. A slim window line rises towards the rear.
The front design is characterised by a new face and a reinterpretation of the BMW kidney grille. The grille is larger, has a noticeably stronger presence and for the first time on 1 Series the kidneys merge in the centre.
The standard M Sport Package for the 118i also provides a muscular appearance thanks to the specially-sculpted air intakes on the front apron. High-gloss black trim applied to both the front and rear apron also adds a premium touch.
The BMW M135i xDrive stands out even further with pronounced mesh design replacing the traditional struts on the kidney grille. The three-dimensional element is inspired by motorsport and provides the front end with additional depth and stature.
Inserts fitted to the outer air intakes provide the M135i xDrive with another distinctive design aspect.
At the rear, the M135i xDrive features an M rear spoiler, adding interest while enhancing aerodynamic downforce.
More space and higher levels of refinement
The new 1 Series cabin delivers more space thanks to the new front-wheel-drive architecture. High quality materials, driver-focused controls and innovative details such as backlit trim strips are features. These trim strips, which are selectable in colour and lighting effect, are a first for BMW and standard across both models.
Grouped control clusters enhance operability, while comfort is enhanced by the practical stowage zones.
BMW Operating System 7.0 headlines the new infotainment offering and is available with optional gesture control. Two 10.25-inch screens display vehicle information and the wide array of adjustable features.
Thought has been given to enhancing ergonomics and ensuring intuitive control for the driver. The heating, air conditioning and new hexagonal air vents are grouped in the centre console below the Control Display, while the engine Start/Stop button is now located in the control panel next to the gear selector.
Racing-inspired M Sport seats are standard on the M135i xDrive and optional on the 118i. They feature an integrated headrest and more pronounced support.
A new panoramic glass roof – available for the first time on 1 Series – allows more light into the interior and enhances the feeling of space. A pleasant environment can be achieved even when the roof is open thanks to a net wind deflector and a comfort rest position for the glass roof panel.
More usable interior
The all-new BMW 1 Series has made a significant leap in interior space thanks to the new transverse engine position and lower centre tunnel. Access is easier and there is an additional 33mm of knee room in the rear, while rear headroom has increased by 19mm due to the outward opening design of the panoramic glass roof.
Elbow room has increased by 42mm and 13mm in the front and rear respectively, while the luggage compartment capacity has increased by 20 litres to 380 litres.
A useful 1200 litres of space is available when the rear seat bench is folded down.
An electrically-operated tailgate is now optionally available on BMW 1 Series for the first time, and when Comfort Access is optioned the vehicle can be opened with contactless operation of the tailgate (kick function).
Drivetrain and chassis with integrated i3 innovation
The new front-wheel-drive architecture blends cutting-edge chassis engineering, innovative technologies and integrated components and control systems that influence the car’s driving dynamics.
The exceptional agility of the all-new BMW 1 Series is the result of contiguous wheel slip limitation (ARB) technology. This system, which is standard on both models and was first seen on the BMW i3, has the effect of significantly improving traction when pulling away, cornering or driving in the wet. It does this by allowing wheel slip to be controlled more sensitively and swiftly than before.
ARB technology employs a slip controller positioned directly in the engine control unit rather in the control unit for the Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) system. This eliminates long signal paths and relays information three times faster, while the driver perceives wheel slip being brought under control approximately 10 times faster.
The ARB system works in close tandem with the DSC system to reduce power understeer – a typical drawback of traditional front-wheel-drive vehicles – without the need for corrective inputs. The system adds to this with reduced friction to improve steering feel.
ARB is complemented by BMW Performance Control (for yaw moment distribution), which provides more agile handling potential by intelligently applying the brakes at the wheels on the inside of the bend before the slip threshold has been reached. This suppresses any initial understeer and provides neutral steering attributes.
Increased use of aluminium including for the bonnet and tailgate, combined with high-strength steels, has shaved 30 kilograms of weight from the new 1 Series compared with its predecessor. These measures also increase the body structure’s bending and torsional stiffness. Bracing elements, including the standard boomerang-shaped strut in the vehicle’s rear section, also assist the stiffness to aid enhanced handling capability.
Innovative aids added to the package
Both new BMW 1 Series models are fitted as standard with the advanced BMW Head-Up Display. The system projects driving-related information onto an area of the windscreen measuring 9.2-inches with full-colour graphics optimally positioned in the driver’s field of view.
Information shown includes vehicle speed, speed limits, status indicators, warnings from the assistance systems, route guidance instructions and telephone and multimedia lists.
Parking Assistant with Reversing Assistant provides automatic assisted parking in parallel or perpendicular spaces and is ideal for manoeuvring in tight urban areas.
The system manages the steering, acceleration and braking while also making the necessary gear selections.
The innovative Reversing Assistant meanwhile makes its debut in the premium compact class. Having already featured on the BMW 3 Series, the system offers the highly convenient option of automated reversing in confined spaces.
The car stores the steering movements for any section the car has just traversed at no more than 36 km/h. Reversing Assistant can then reverse the vehicle for distances up to 50 metres by steering it along the same line it took when moving forward.
The all-new BMW 1 Series has unprecedented levels of active safety packaged within BMW Driving Assistant, offering Approach Control Warning, Lane Departure Warning and for the first time on a BMW in this segment – Lane Change Warning.
Depending on the situation, BMW Driving Assistant can bring the 1 Series to a halt, thereby avoiding a collision or minimising its consequences.
Lane Departure Warning features active steering intervention, operational from 55 to 210 km/h.
Lane Change Warning alerts the driver of vehicles in their blind spot at speeds of 20-250 km/h by means of a visual warning in the exterior side mirrors. It will also provide steering input if necessary.
Other technologies within BMW Driving Assistant include Rear Cross Traffic Warning – which reduces the risk of a collision when reversing into roads obstructed from the driver’s view – and Rear Collision Prevention.
Grade, pricing and specification
The BMW 1 Series 118i is priced at $42,990 (plus on road costs) and includes the following standard specification highlights:
- M Sport Package including: M Sport multifunction leather steering wheel, Sport Seats, Cloth/Sensatec upholstery, BMW Individual headliner in Anthracite
- 18” M Light Alloy double spoke alloy wheels (M Bicolour)
- BMW Driving Assistant, incl. Lane Departure Warning, Lane Change Warning, Approach Control Warning with city-braking intervention, Rear Cross Traffic Warning, Rear Collision Prevention and Speed Limit Information
- BMW Head-Up Display
- Parking Assistant, incl. PDC (front and rear), Rear View Camera, Automatic Parking Assistant and Reversing Assistant
- Live Cockpit Professional including 10.25” instrument cluster, 10.25” BMW operating system 7.0 display and Intelligent Personal Assistant
- Connected Package Professional including Apple CarPlay (1 year) plus Wireless Charging for smartphone
- Storage Compartment Package
- Lights Package incl. Ambient interior lighting and exterior BMW Logo projection on driver’s side
- ‘Illuminated Boston’ interior trim finish
- LED headlights and tail lights, LED fog lights, front
- Stereo speaker system, 6 loudspeakers (100W)
The BMW M135i xDrive is priced at $63,990 (plus on road costs) and adds the following specification items in addition to those listed above from the 118i:
- M Sport Brakes
- M Sport Steering
- M Rear Spoiler
- 19” M Light alloy wheels (M Bicolour Cerium Grey matte finish)
- Comfort Access incl. BMW Digital Key
- M Sport Seats for driver and front passenger with integrated headrests and improved lateral support
- Leather ‘Dakota’ Upholstery
- Electric Seat Adjustment incl. driver’s side seat memory function
- Adaptive LED headlights incl. High Beam Assistant
- harman/kardon surround sound system, 16 speakers (464W)
Options packages
Enhancement Package ($2,900)
Package features:
- Metallic paint
- Panoramic Glass Roof
Additional features:
118i only:
- 19” M Light alloy wheels (M Bicolour Jet Black)
M135i xDrive only:
- Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go function
Note: the package is $3,400 if selected in combination with BMW Individual Storm Bay metallic paintwork.
Comfort Package (118i: $2,300; M135i xDrive: $923)
Package features:
- Seat heating for driver and front passenger
- Lumbar support for driver and front passenger
Additional features:
118i only:
- Comfort Access incl. Digital Key
- Electric seat adjustment for driver and front passenger
M135i xDrive only:
- Steering wheel heating
Convenience Package ($1,200)
Package features:
- Automatic operation of tailgate
- Luggage Compartment Package
- Luggage Compartment Storage Net
- Through-loading system
Driver Assistance Package ($1,000; not available on M135i xDrive)
Package features:
- Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go function
- Adaptive LED headlights incl. High Beam Assistant
- Tyre pressure monitor
M Sport Plus Package ($2,100; not applicable for M135i xDrive)
Package features:
- M Sport seats for driver and front passenger
- M Rear Spoiler
- M Seat Belts
- M Sports Steering
- M Sport Brakes
Performance and efficiency by model
| Model | Engine | Power/Torque | 0-100km/h | Fuel Use | CO2 | MRLP* |
| 118i | 1.5L TwinPower 3-cylinder petrol | 103kW/220Nm | 8.5 seconds | TBC | TBC | $42,990* |
| M135i xDrive | 2.0L TwinPower 4-cylinder petrol | 225kW/450Nm | 4.8 seconds | TBC | TBC | $63,990* |
Condition Based Servicing
All maintenance requirements for the all-new BMW 1 Series are controlled by the Condition Based Servicing (CBS) system.
With CBS, sensors and advanced algorithms monitor and calculate the conditions in which a vehicle is used, including mileage, time elapsed since its last service, fuel consumption and how a vehicle is driven. Based on the information captured, maintenance requirements are determined, identifying whether an annual vehicle inspection or oil service is due.
Selected BMW service and maintenance costs can be covered by a single, one-off advance payment with BMW Service Inclusive (BSI), which is available in two packages: Basic or Plus.
Once we have tested and assessed the new BMW 1 Series, seniordriveraus will bring you a comprehensive review, including everything the over-50 driver needs to know.