New BMW 1-Series unveiled

BMW calls this the only rear-wheel drive hatch in its class and we have no argument against that claim (Audi offers Quattro on the FWD-based A3 and the Mercedes-Benz A-Class and B-Class models are FWD too). And if you thought the last 1-Series was a little too compact for your tastes, then there’s good news here for you - the 1-Series has grown. It is 85 mm longer than its predecessor with a wheelbase 30 mm longer too. The front track is 51 mm wider and the rear track is widened by 72 mm over the previous (or current-as-of-last-week) generation 1-Series.

Looks wise, the new 1er takes the same form as the old car, but adds on a much fresher nose. The old 1er had a very bluff nose, which could never be called sleek. The new model cuts a much sleeker form, with an all-new-for-BMW design for the headlights, and a lower, wider kidney grille. The rear end is very much the same as the old model, just brought up to date with new rear lights and tighter surfacing on the panels. Luckily this new model loses the least attractive part of the old car - its sagging middle. The old 1er had a styling line on the sills, which sagged down in the middle and made the car look like a banana. The new car has a much tighter upward curve to the sills, and is all the better for it.

What you can see in our gallery are the two distinct model variants - Urban (blue car) and Sport (red car). We’re not sure of the technical differences, but we definitely prefer the looks of the Sport. The car featured at the top of the page is the M-Sport package which will be available later in the year.

The height stays the same but the 1-Series’ greater dimensions now offer much more cabin space with 21 mm more rear legroom and trunk space going up by 30 liters to 360 liters (with the rear seats upright).

Also refreshed is the range of engine offerings - all turbocharged with BMW TwinPower turbo technology (twin-scroll turbo tech). Both the 116i and the 118i are powered by the 1.6 liter turbo unit - with respective outputs of 100 kW/136 PS (134 bhp) and 125 kW/170 PS (168 bhp).

BMW will likely add its new 2.0 litre turbocharged unit to the 1-Series soon enough for higher output variants. Expect these to have 200, 270 and 300bhp versions as the model progresses.

On the diesel front are the 116d, 118d and 120d with the 2.0 liter lump configured to deliver outputs of 85 kW/116 PS (114 bhp), 105 kW/143 PS (141 bhp) and 135 kW/184 PS (182 bhp), respectively. BMW will also offer an EfficientDynamics variant of the 116d (with the same output) that features a CO2 emission quotient of 99 g/km.

Transmission options are also impressive for this class of car and include the 8-speed automatic from ZF.

EfficientDynamics technology is also featured in the entire range which includes a stop/start system even with the manual 6-speed gearbox.

For the UK market the new BMW 1 Series goes on sale 17 September 2011. Prices start from £19,375 OTR for a BMW 116i ES.Model Power
Hp Torque Nm 0 – 62mph Seconds Top Speed Mph Combined Mpg* CO2 Emissions g/km* Pricing from
BMW 116i 136 220 8.5 130 49.6 (48.7) 132 (134) £19,375
BMW 118i 170 250 7.4 140 47.9 (48.7) 137 (134) £21,985
BMW 116d 116 260 10.3 124 62.8 (62.8) 117 (119) £20,195
BMW 118d 143 320 8.9 132 62.8 (62.8) 118 (119) £22,030
BMW 120d 184 380 7.2 142 62.8 (64.2) 119 (116) £23,480


Given the popularity of the current range, we can expect to see a 3dr version appear soon after, along with a 2dr coupe after that. This is likely to be called the 2-Series though, and will spawn a highly anticipated M2 sportscar.