Australian pricing and specifications for the updated 2018 BMW 1 Series range have been revealed this week, ahead of the revised hatch’s arrival in local showrooms in September. 

Headlining the updates for the 2018 range include the company’s iDrive 6 infotainment system as standard across the range, with 125i and M140i versions nabbing the larger 8.8-inch Navigation Professional version. There’s a new high-gloss black finish on the centre stack, “cleaner design elements and smoother joins” throughout the cabin, new upholstery stitching and chrome elements for the electric window controls.


More interior finishes are available too, such as a Pearl Chrome trim and Dakota leather in Cognac. Full-LED headlights are standard across the range, with the M140i scoring adaptive units. Standard equipment on the 118i and 118d (AUD 43,990) includes the Sport Line styling package, 16-inch alloy wheels, Navigation System Business, climate control, DAB+ digital radio, rear-view camera, sports steering wheel, speed limit info, front sports seats finished in cloth, rain-sensing wipers, BMW ConnectedDrive services, along with the company’s driving assistant.

The 118i is powered by a 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbo petrol engine shared with the Mini range, developing 136 Hp of power and 220 Nm of torque, while the 118d is motivated by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel with 150 Hp and 320 Nm.


In terms of performance, the 118i can sprint from 0-100 km/h in 8.7 seconds, while the 118d completes the benchmark in 8.1 seconds. Fuel use for the petrol and the oiler are rated at 4.8L/100km and 3.8L/100km on the combined cycle respectively. Stepping up to the 120i (AUD 45,990) swaps in a 2.0-litre turbo petrol four producing 184 Hp of power and 270 Nm of torque, which propels the little hatch from 0-100 km/h in a more brisk 7.1 seconds. Fuel use is a claimed 5.8L/100km combined.

Extra equipment over the 118i/118d twins includes the Urban Line styling package, larger 17-inch alloy wheels, LED fog-lights, front and rear parking sensors, interior lights package, Dakota leather upholstery, ‘extended’ automatic climate control, and an anti-dazzle interior mirror.


Next in the range is the sporty 125i, which kicks off at AUD 49,990 before on-roads. Compared with its lesser siblings, the 125i get the M Sport Package with M Sport suspension as standard, along with 18-inch alloy wheels, exterior mirrors with anti-dazzle function, M Sport brakes, high-gloss ‘Shadow Line’ exterior trim highlights, Navigation System Professional with the larger 8.8-inch central touchscreen, cloth/Alcantara upholstery, M leather steering wheel, a sports-tuned transmission and a BMW Individual Anthracite headliner.

Under the bonnet of the 125i is an uprated version of the 2.0-litre turbocharged four-pot, in this tune developing a meatier 225 Hp of power and 310 Nm of torque. Acceleration from 0-100 km/h takes 6.1 seconds, while fuel use is rated at 5.9L/100km on the combined cycle.


Finally, the flagship M140i (AUD 59,990) gets Jet Black 18-inch alloy wheels, adaptive M suspension, adaptive LED headlights with BMW Selective Beam, comfort access, full Dakota leather upholstery, electric front seat adjustment with memory, along with a harman/kardon audio system.

The Bavarian hot hatch is driven by a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline six, developing 340 Hp of power and 500 Nm of torque, helping the M140i sprint from 0-100 km/h in just 4.6 seconds. Fuel use, meanwhile, is rated at 7.1L/100km combined. All versions of the 1 Series send drive to the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission as standard. Several option packages are on offer across most trim grades, including the Innovations Package, Driver Assistance Package and the Comfort Package.