The BMW 1 Series is a small luxury/family car, produced by the German carmaker BMW since 2004. Designed to compete against the Audi A3 and Volkswagen Golf, the 1 Series is the only vehicle in its class featuring rear-wheel drive and a longitudinally mounted engine.
The 1 Series was first offered as a five-door hatchback and replaced the BMW 3 Series Compact as the smallest, most 'affordable' model in the BMW range. Unlike its predecessor, the new vehicle is built on its own platform; however, it shares over 60 per cent of components with the 3 Series.
These include MacPherson struts in the front of the car, and a trapezoidal-link rear axle.
The 1 Series is built in Regensburg, Germany, with some of the engines coming from the Hams Hall plant in Birmingham, England. During its first full year on the market in 2005, it became one of BMW's most successful products - 149,493 units were sold. Only the 3 and 5 Series sold better.
BMW upgraded the 1 Series for 2007 and introduced a three-door sports hatch variant. The changes to the model were minor headlight and tail light revisions, new front and rear bumpers and minor revisions to the interior.
The dashboard has been updated, and a recommended gear indicator is now present on models with manual transmissions.
New technologies include an Auto Start-Stop function, Brake Energy Regeneration, Electric Power Steering, an electric water pump, and a host of drivetrain modifications designed for fuel economy, increased performance, and lower emissions.
BMW marketing has named this combination of technologies "Efficient Dynamics", which will also be implemented in other BMW models. The 1 Series is effectively the first in the world to have mild hybrid technology as standard equipment, although BMW is careful in its marketing not to label it as a hybrid vehicle.
The engines available for 1 Series are basically the same as found in the 3 Series, with the exception of the 3.0-litre in-line six, which is slightly modified to produce more power. The engines below are preceded by their model year introduction.
In early 2006 the five-speed manual transmission in the 116i and 118i, were phased out. Consequently, all models are equipped with the six-speed by default. Of course, the style is pretty the same of the previous version, but with a few new elements. Firstly, on the sides we find only one door, with consequent changes at the bodywork structure: as doors are longer, also glasses raise up their surface, while remaining side surface decreases.
On its whole, these few changes allow a more cutting edge shape, as we can see from our pictures. In addition, inside the cab there are no big new elements either.
The engines available are the same which power the 5-door version, with some variance: fuel version are said to be powered by a 1.6-litre of 116 hp, a 1.8-litre of 129 hp, and a 2.0-litre of 163 hp (13 hp more than the present model) and the great 3.0i, which will reach 272 hp, 7 hp more than the present version. As far as diesel is concerned, we find a 1.8d of 122 hp and a 2.0d of 177 hp (which is enhanced by 14 hp), both with the possibility of being equipped with DPF (Diesel particulate filtre).
The most impressive difference between this 1 Series three- and five-door is better handling. With only three doors, the chassis is even tougher. After slipping behind the wheel and firing up the engine via the starter button, the driver will go on to enjoy BMW's renowned 50:50 weight distribution and front engine, rear wheel drive set-up - unique in this class.
This ensures optimum handling and traction, and the most invigorating drive in the compact executive segment. Standard fit 17-inch run-flat tyres also means the days of motorway hard shoulder tyre changes are over. Renewed Dynamic Stability Control, Dynamic Traction Control, Dynamic Brake Control and Electronic Differential Lock help ensure the 1 Series provides the highest standards of active safety without impacting unnecessarily on driving enjoyment. With all those technical features the 1 Series is always safe and exciting, at the same time.
The German craftsmanship in this car is so evident from the solid closing of the door to the state-of-the-art technology. As proven in the past, never change a successful formula: simply improve on it, and that is what BMW did with the 1 Series.
At a glance Engine: 1,596cc, four cylinders in-line. Engine mounted transversely at the front. Compression ratio: 10.2:1. Maximum power: 115 bhp developed at 6,000 rpm. Maximum torque (pulling power): 150 Nm developed at 4,300 rpm. Performance: maximum speed, 200 km/h. 0-100 km/h, 10.8 seconds. Average fuel consumption: 7.5 litres/100 km. Transmission: drive to the rear wheels; six forward gears plus reverse. Safety on board: Dynamic Stability Control, Dynamic Traction Control, Dynamic Brake Control and Electronic Differential Lock; six airbags with two-stage activation. Seat belts. Collapsible safety structure. Dimensions: length, 4,239 mm; width, 1,748 mm; height 1,421 mm; wheelbase 2,660.
The 1 Series was first offered as a five-door hatchback and replaced the BMW 3 Series Compact as the smallest, most 'affordable' model in the BMW range. Unlike its predecessor, the new vehicle is built on its own platform; however, it shares over 60 per cent of components with the 3 Series.
These include MacPherson struts in the front of the car, and a trapezoidal-link rear axle.
The 1 Series is built in Regensburg, Germany, with some of the engines coming from the Hams Hall plant in Birmingham, England. During its first full year on the market in 2005, it became one of BMW's most successful products - 149,493 units were sold. Only the 3 and 5 Series sold better.
BMW upgraded the 1 Series for 2007 and introduced a three-door sports hatch variant. The changes to the model were minor headlight and tail light revisions, new front and rear bumpers and minor revisions to the interior.
The dashboard has been updated, and a recommended gear indicator is now present on models with manual transmissions.
New technologies include an Auto Start-Stop function, Brake Energy Regeneration, Electric Power Steering, an electric water pump, and a host of drivetrain modifications designed for fuel economy, increased performance, and lower emissions.
BMW marketing has named this combination of technologies "Efficient Dynamics", which will also be implemented in other BMW models. The 1 Series is effectively the first in the world to have mild hybrid technology as standard equipment, although BMW is careful in its marketing not to label it as a hybrid vehicle.
The engines available for 1 Series are basically the same as found in the 3 Series, with the exception of the 3.0-litre in-line six, which is slightly modified to produce more power. The engines below are preceded by their model year introduction.
In early 2006 the five-speed manual transmission in the 116i and 118i, were phased out. Consequently, all models are equipped with the six-speed by default. Of course, the style is pretty the same of the previous version, but with a few new elements. Firstly, on the sides we find only one door, with consequent changes at the bodywork structure: as doors are longer, also glasses raise up their surface, while remaining side surface decreases.
On its whole, these few changes allow a more cutting edge shape, as we can see from our pictures. In addition, inside the cab there are no big new elements either.
The engines available are the same which power the 5-door version, with some variance: fuel version are said to be powered by a 1.6-litre of 116 hp, a 1.8-litre of 129 hp, and a 2.0-litre of 163 hp (13 hp more than the present model) and the great 3.0i, which will reach 272 hp, 7 hp more than the present version. As far as diesel is concerned, we find a 1.8d of 122 hp and a 2.0d of 177 hp (which is enhanced by 14 hp), both with the possibility of being equipped with DPF (Diesel particulate filtre).
The most impressive difference between this 1 Series three- and five-door is better handling. With only three doors, the chassis is even tougher. After slipping behind the wheel and firing up the engine via the starter button, the driver will go on to enjoy BMW's renowned 50:50 weight distribution and front engine, rear wheel drive set-up - unique in this class.
This ensures optimum handling and traction, and the most invigorating drive in the compact executive segment. Standard fit 17-inch run-flat tyres also means the days of motorway hard shoulder tyre changes are over. Renewed Dynamic Stability Control, Dynamic Traction Control, Dynamic Brake Control and Electronic Differential Lock help ensure the 1 Series provides the highest standards of active safety without impacting unnecessarily on driving enjoyment. With all those technical features the 1 Series is always safe and exciting, at the same time.
The German craftsmanship in this car is so evident from the solid closing of the door to the state-of-the-art technology. As proven in the past, never change a successful formula: simply improve on it, and that is what BMW did with the 1 Series.
At a glance Engine: 1,596cc, four cylinders in-line. Engine mounted transversely at the front. Compression ratio: 10.2:1. Maximum power: 115 bhp developed at 6,000 rpm. Maximum torque (pulling power): 150 Nm developed at 4,300 rpm. Performance: maximum speed, 200 km/h. 0-100 km/h, 10.8 seconds. Average fuel consumption: 7.5 litres/100 km. Transmission: drive to the rear wheels; six forward gears plus reverse. Safety on board: Dynamic Stability Control, Dynamic Traction Control, Dynamic Brake Control and Electronic Differential Lock; six airbags with two-stage activation. Seat belts. Collapsible safety structure. Dimensions: length, 4,239 mm; width, 1,748 mm; height 1,421 mm; wheelbase 2,660.