These are the first official pictures of the all new BMW 1-series that will be unveiled in September this year. Codenamed F20 and developed on the same platform architecture as the new 3-series, the new 1-series will be available in three as well as five door hatchback body-style.
The new 1-series was created under design chief Adrian van Hooydonk, since promoted to BMW Group design head, and takes advantage of the 1-series’ rear-drive proportions to push the cabin further back over the rear axle and extend forward a dominant bonnet. Most dramatic is the front-end styling, which adopts a flavour of the shark-nose treatment that has featured on recent concepts. The reinterpreted kidney grille leans forward slightly, and next to it the large, angular headlamps are recessed under ‘eyebrows’ to add texture to the front-end styling.
Otherwise, the surface treatment is taut, beefed up by a more prominent shoulder and side swage line. And to provide the new 1-series with a larger tailgate aperture than the previous generation model, the tail-lights are pushed to the extremities of the rear end.
Under the skin, the car features aluminum-intensive suspension with tracks widened by 51mm up front to 1535mm and 72mm at the rear to 1569mm, which liberates interior space and improves high-speed stability. Uniquely, however, the range-topping 120d uses a slightly narrower 1556mm rear track. The new model sits on a platform that shares many major components, including its MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension, with the larger 3-series. Unlike the car it replaces, the new 1-series will be engineered with four-wheel drive.
The new 1-series will be sold exclusively with four-cylinder engines. The engine line-up includes two petrol models, both of which use a longitudinally mounted version of the direct-injection 1.6-litre unit, producing 136bhp in the base 116i and 170bhp in the 118i. There will also be a trio of diesel models that will use the 2.0-litre engine tuned to deliver 116bhp in the 116d, 143bhp in the 118d and 184bhp in the 120d.
BMW plans to introduce more powerful models at a later stage that includes a range-topping 128iS powered by the turbocharged 2.0-litre, four-cylinder engine.
Also in the pipeline is a frugal new 1.5-litre, three-cylinder turbocharged engine in both direct-injection petrol and common-rail diesel forms. All engines for the first time will get the option of a ZF eight-speed automatic ’box.
As part of BMW’s Efficient Dynamics initiative, the most affordable BMW model also receives automatic stop-start, low-resistance tyres, brake energy recuperation, automatically disconnecting ancillary components and, on manual versions, an optimal gearshift indicator.
The new 1-series is equipped with many features such as high beam assist, reversing camera, a lane departure warning system including collision warning, cruise control with brake function and speed limit sign recognition. There’s also an increase in the levels of standard equipment, including iDrive and a display screen on all models.
The new 1-series was created under design chief Adrian van Hooydonk, since promoted to BMW Group design head, and takes advantage of the 1-series’ rear-drive proportions to push the cabin further back over the rear axle and extend forward a dominant bonnet. Most dramatic is the front-end styling, which adopts a flavour of the shark-nose treatment that has featured on recent concepts. The reinterpreted kidney grille leans forward slightly, and next to it the large, angular headlamps are recessed under ‘eyebrows’ to add texture to the front-end styling.
Otherwise, the surface treatment is taut, beefed up by a more prominent shoulder and side swage line. And to provide the new 1-series with a larger tailgate aperture than the previous generation model, the tail-lights are pushed to the extremities of the rear end.
Under the skin, the car features aluminum-intensive suspension with tracks widened by 51mm up front to 1535mm and 72mm at the rear to 1569mm, which liberates interior space and improves high-speed stability. Uniquely, however, the range-topping 120d uses a slightly narrower 1556mm rear track. The new model sits on a platform that shares many major components, including its MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension, with the larger 3-series. Unlike the car it replaces, the new 1-series will be engineered with four-wheel drive.
The new 1-series will be sold exclusively with four-cylinder engines. The engine line-up includes two petrol models, both of which use a longitudinally mounted version of the direct-injection 1.6-litre unit, producing 136bhp in the base 116i and 170bhp in the 118i. There will also be a trio of diesel models that will use the 2.0-litre engine tuned to deliver 116bhp in the 116d, 143bhp in the 118d and 184bhp in the 120d.
BMW plans to introduce more powerful models at a later stage that includes a range-topping 128iS powered by the turbocharged 2.0-litre, four-cylinder engine.
Also in the pipeline is a frugal new 1.5-litre, three-cylinder turbocharged engine in both direct-injection petrol and common-rail diesel forms. All engines for the first time will get the option of a ZF eight-speed automatic ’box.
As part of BMW’s Efficient Dynamics initiative, the most affordable BMW model also receives automatic stop-start, low-resistance tyres, brake energy recuperation, automatically disconnecting ancillary components and, on manual versions, an optimal gearshift indicator.
The new 1-series is equipped with many features such as high beam assist, reversing camera, a lane departure warning system including collision warning, cruise control with brake function and speed limit sign recognition. There’s also an increase in the levels of standard equipment, including iDrive and a display screen on all models.