As the all-new 1
Series arrives in the UK market, BMW released a new extensive gallery of its
revamped compact hatchback. The highlight of the third-generation of the 1
Series is of course the switch to a FWD platform, which enabled a roomier cabin
within a footprint almost identical to its RWD predecessor.
Despite having a
20mm shorter wheelbase, the new 1 Series offers an extra 33mm of knee room for
rear passengers, along with 19mm more headroom and 13mm more space for their
elbows. Luggage capacity is also bigger by 20 liters, rated at 380 liters in
total with the seats in their upright position.
The cabin also
features BMW’s latest technologies, including the latest Operating System 7.0
with a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.25-inch touchscreen for
the infotainment display. The UK range of the new BMW 1 Series is offered in
SE, Sport and M Sport trims, alongside the range-topping M135i xDrive. Base
118i models are fitted with a turbo 1.5-liter three-cylinder petrol engine with
138 hp and 220 Nm of torque.
The diesel range
includes three engine options with the 116d, the 118d and the 120d xDrive; the
116d is powered by a 1.5-litre three-cylinder with 114 hp and 270 Nm of torque; the 118d uses a 2.0-liter four-cylinder that produces 147 hp and 350 Nm while the 120d xDrive also has a 2.0-liter
four-cylinder, only here it makes 187 hp and 400 Nm.
As for the hot
M135i xDrive, it uses a newly developed 2.0-liter four-cylinder petrol unit
that pumps out 302 hp and 450 Nm of torque. 0-100 km/h comes in 4.8 seconds while top speed is limited to 250 km/h. Power is
sent to all four wheels via a standard-fit eight-speed automatic transmission.
Prices for the new
BMW 1 Series in the UK start from £ 24,430 for the base 118i and can reach up to
£ 36,430 for the M135i xDrive.
