BMW UK has
announced the pricing and range details of the 2020 1-Series, its shiny new
weapon against the Mercedes A-Class and Audi A3 in the compact premium class.
Customers will get to choose between three diesel and two petrol engines
initially, starting with the 118i, which is priced from £ 24,430.
Power for the base
version of the new 1-Series comes from a revised turbocharged 1.5-liter
three-cylinder petrol unit, which now produces slightly more power at 138 hp and 220 Nm of torque and less CO2 emissions, from 114g/km.
BMW claims a
0-100 km/h in 8.5 seconds and a top speed of 212 km/h for the
base petrol 1-Series, which comes paired either to a standard six-speed manual
or a new, optional, seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.
Those interested in
the range-topping M135i xDrive will have to shell out at least £ 36,430. The
hottest derivative of the range is powered by the newly developed turbocharged
2.0-liter four-cylinder producing 302 hp and 450 Nm of torque,
and is mated exclusively to an improved eight-speed automatic. According to
BMW, the new M135i xDrive needs 4.8 seconds to sprint to 100 km/h; top
speed is capped at 250 km/h and CO2 emissions are rated from 155g/km.
The diesel range
consists of the 116d, 118d and the 120d xDrive. The base oil-burner is powered
by a 1.5-litre three-cylinder with 114 hp and 270 Nm of
torque, while the other two come with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder. Power is rated
at 147 hp and 350 Nm for the 118d and 187 hp and 400 Nm for the 120d, which is offered only with the eight-speed
automatic transmission.
The big headline
for the all-new 1-Series is of course the compact model’s switch to front-wheel
drive. This might not have sat well with BMW enthusiasts at first, but it means
that the third generation compact Bimmer now poses as a much more rounded
proposal in a very competitive segment. BMW says that despite having an almost
identical footprint with its predecessor, the new 1-Series offers a
significantly roomier cabin, with an extra 33mm of knee room available for the
rear passengers.
UK customers will
get to choose between three equipment lines: SE, Sport and M Sport. SE models
feature matt black grilles, while the Sport trim adds model-specific air inlets
in high-gloss black and a chrome-framed kidney grille. M Sport models can be
distinguished by the aero kit and the satin aluminum struts on the grille while
the range-topping M135i features an exclusive -and more aggressive- bodykit.
The new BMW
1-Series is available to order from May 28 in the UK, with the first customer
deliveries expected this September.
