After almost one million units sold since 2011, BMW 1 Series received a well-awaited face-lift. The new, 2017 model received new colors and a wider range of alloy wheels. Engines are ranging from a very economical three cylinder to a powerful inline six, three liter badged as M140i. They are offering both petrol and diesel engines. The power ranges between 109 HP on the 116i and 340 HP for M140i.
The main market for the 1 series is Europe, where the Bavarian manufacturer sold around 70% of its production. As expected, another big market for the premium compact size vehicle is China. It is the last model of 1 Series offered on a RWD platform. The next generation will receive a new FWD chassis, which will be shared with MINI.
In the tech-department, BMW brought the latest-generation iDrive infotainment system. For those who wants more, they are offering a Professional Navigation System with an 8.8 inch touchscreen. It can be controlled either by voice or through iDrive controller with touch-sensitive knob.
The advanced system offers Real Time Traffic Information (RTTI) which works together with the navigation system offering the shortest or fastest routes taking into account traffic-jams, accidents and other hazards on the road. The connectivity integration allows also up to ten devices on its on-board WiFi hotspot and Apple CarPlay.
BMW 1 Series 3 doors (F20) LCI 116d 6MT (116 HP)
BMW 1 Series 3 doors (F20) LCI 116d 8AT (116 HP)
BMW 1 Series 3 doors (F20) LCI 116d EfficientDynamics 6MT (116 HP)
BMW 1 Series 3 doors (F20) LCI 118d 6MT (150 HP)
BMW 1 Series 3 doors (F20) LCI 118d 8AT (150 HP)
BMW 1 Series 3 doors (F20) LCI 118d xDrive 6MT (150 HP)
BMW 1 Series 3 doors (F20) LCI 120d 6MT (190 HP)
BMW 1 Series 3 doors (F20) LCI 120d 8AT (190 HP)
BMW 1 Series 3 doors (F20) LCI 116i 6MT (109 HP)
BMW 1 Series 3 doors (F20) LCI 118i 6MT (136 HP)
BMW 1 Series 3 doors (F20) LCI 118i 8AT (136 HP)
BMW 1 Series 3 doors (F20) LCI 120i 6MT (184 HP)
BMW 1 Series 3 doors (F20) LCI 120i 8AT (184 HP)
BMW 1 Series 3 doors (F20) LCI 125i 8AT (224 HP)
In 2015, the second generation of the 1 Series from BMW went through plastic surgery and some other technical updates. The final result for the 3-door compact hatchback from the German brand is now more appealing and could be ordered with the xDrive all-wheel-drive system.
For the 3-door, as well as for the 5-door version, BMW installed features like automatic climate control, rain sensor, BMW Radio Professional and the iDrive standard on all the range. The 6.5 inches color display is also standard and integrated into the dashboard. It doesn't look like it was installed by the dealers afterward.
The long doors of the 3-door version are as long as before, and the rear passengers will have to climb inside behind the front seats. Fortunately, the big wheelbase allows them to enter good enough.
Under the hood, there is a big range of powertrains, with manual or automatic transmissions. For the first time, the 1 Series can be equipped with the 8-speed Steptronic gearbox from the Japanese manufacturer Aisin.
Five petrol and five diesel engines with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology are available for the 2015 BMW 1-Series. Setting the pace in terms of sports performance is the BMW M135i M with an inline-6 engine now producing 326 hp. The most fuel-efficient is the BMW 116d EfficientDynamics Edition, which combines 116 hp with low fuel consumption of 3.4 liters per 100 kilometers (69.1 mpg-US). Customers can also choose the all-wheel-drive system, BMW xDrive, for the BMW M135i, BMW 120d, and BMW 118d.
BMW 1 Series 3 doors LCI (F21) 116d 6MT (116 HP)
BMW 1 Series 3 doors LCI (F21) 116d 8AT (116 HP)
BMW 1 Series 3 doors LCI (F21) 116d Efficient Dinamics 6MT (116 HP)
BMW 1 Series 3 doors LCI (F21) 118d 6MT (150 HP)
BMW 1 Series 3 doors LCI (F21) 118d 8AT (150 HP)
BMW 1 Series 3 doors LCI (F21) 118d xDrive 6MT (150 HP)
BMW 1 Series 3 doors LCI (F21) 120d 6MT (190 HP)
BMW 1 Series 3 doors LCI (F21) 120d 8AT (190 HP)
BMW 1 Series 3 doors LCI (F21) 116i 6MT (109 HP)
BMW 1 Series 3 doors LCI (F21) 118i 6MT (136 HP)
BMW 1 Series 3 doors LCI (F21) 118i 8AT (136 HP)
BMW 1 Series 3 doors LCI (F21) 120i 6MT (177 HP)
BMW 1 Series 3 doors LCI (F21) 120i 8AT (177 HP)
BMW 1 Series 3 doors LCI (F21) 125i 6MT (218 HP)
BMW 1 Series 3 doors LCI (F21) 125i 8AT (218 HP)
BMW 1 Series 3 doors LCI (F21) M135i 6MT (326 HP)
BMW 1 Series 3 doors LCI (F21) M135i 8AT (326 HP)
BMW 1 Series 3 doors LCI (F21) M135i xDrive 8AT (326 HP)
BMW 1 Series 3 doors LCI (F21) M140i 6MT (340 HP)
BMW introduced the second generation of the 1 Series in 2012 and continued to be the smallest car with a rear-wheel-drive and an all-wheel-drive option.
The first generation of the 1 Series was well received by the market in all of its shapes and number of doors (two, three, or five) and took its main competitor, Mercedes-Benz, by surprise. Then, after learning and listening to all the critics from its customers, BMW chose to change the pace and improved the 1 Series to a higher level.
From the outside, the 1 Series three doors looked more like a hot-hatchback. Its cab-rearward design with a sloped-down rear window's top edge induced the image of a coupe. Well, it wasn't. But its big, swept-back headlights and the sculptured side panels gave the impression of one. In the back, the Kamm-back styling with a raked-forward windscreen and a small roof-spoiler improved the sporty image.
Inside, BMW increased the materials' quality and finishes. It offered plenty of storage areas in the center console, the center armrest, the door panels, and even under the steering-column. Its two bucket-seats at the front were mounted low. The carmaker used soft, spongy materials on the dashboard. Even though all the range received a standard infotainment unit, it wasn't available with a touch-screen. In the back, the 60/40 split-folding bench enlarged the trunk area with a completely flat surface.
Under the hood, BMW installed a very wide choice of engines, ranged between 101 hp and 320 hp paired with a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic. Some specific versions were available with all-wheel-drive.
BMW 1 Series 3 doors (F21) 114d 6MT RWD (95 HP)
BMW 1 Series 3 doors (F21) 116d 6MT EfficientDynamics RWD (114 HP)
BMW 1 Series 3 doors (F21) 116d 6MT RWD (116 HP)
BMW 1 Series 3 doors (F21) 116d 8AT RWD (116 HP)
BMW 1 Series 3 doors (F21) 118d 6MT RWD (143 HP)
BMW 1 Series 3 doors (F21) 118d 8AT RWD (143 HP)
BMW 1 Series 3 doors (F21) 118d xDrive 6MT AWD (143 HP)
BMW 1 Series 3 doors (F21) 120d 6MT RWD (184 HP)
BMW 1 Series 3 doors (F21) 120d 8AT RWD (184 HP)
BMW 1 Series 3 doors (F21) 120d xDrive 8AT AWD (184 HP)
BMW 1 Series 3 doors (F21) 114i 6MT RWD (101 HP)
BMW 1 Series 3 doors (F21) 116i 6MT RWD (136 HP)
BMW 1 Series 3 doors (F21) 116i 8AT RWD (136 HP)
BMW 1 Series 3 doors (F21) 118i 6MT RWD (170 HP)
BMW 1 Series 3 doors (F21) 118i 8AT RWD (170 HP)
BMW 1 Series 3 doors (F21) 125i 6MT RWD (214 HP)
BMW 1 Series 3 doors (F21) M135i 6MT RWD (320 HP)
BMW introduced the facelifted version of the 1 Series in March 2007, and, in addition, it soon added a new 3-door version.
Considered by many as a successor to the 3 Series Compact (E46), the E81 Series 1 was introduced as a more affordable alternative to other BMW vehicles. The German automaker started with the five-door model in 2004, and customers enjoyed it. So, after the facelift, in May 2007, the three-door version was a welcomed addition.
With a front fascia that still resembled some cues and lines introduced by Chris Bangle, the three-door 1 Series was far from looking aggressive. The car's target was to lure people into BMW's showrooms, not to scare them away. In addition, the lower grille featured raised outer corners, like a smiley face. But it wasn't the prettiest car in the carmaker's lineup. The car's profile revealed the door panels crossed by a sculptured line extended from the front to rear wheel wells. The arched-down upper window line ended in the already-known Hofmeister kink design element. Finally, at the back, the corner-mounted taillights sported slim reversing lights with clear lenses at the same height as the car's shoulder line.
Unlike the five-door version, the three-door 1 Series featured frameless door windows, which added more flavor to the car. Inside, the automaker installed a cabin fitted with bolstered seats at the front and a 60/40 split-folding bench in the rear. Even though the legroom was not that great for the rear passengers, it was good enough for short trips.
Along with the facelifted version, the E81 model received the new N43 gasoline engine with a 1.6- or 2.0-liter displacement. BMW offered the car with either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic.
BMW 1 Series 3 doors (E81) 116d 6MT RWD (115 HP)
BMW 1 Series 3 doors (E81) 118d 6AT RWD (143 HP)
BMW 1 Series 3 doors (E81) 118d 6MT RWD (143 HP)
BMW 1 Series 3 doors (E81) 120d 6AT RWD (177 HP)
BMW 1 Series 3 doors (E81) 120d 6MT RWD (177 HP)
BMW 1 Series 3 doors (E81) 116i 6AT RWD (122 HP)
BMW 1 Series 3 doors (E81) 116i 6MT RWD (122 HP)
BMW 1 Series 3 doors (E81) 118i 6AT RWD (143 HP)
BMW 1 Series 3 doors (E81) 118i 6MT RWD (143 HP)
BMW 1 Series 3 doors (E81) 120i 6AT RWD (170 HP)
BMW 1 Series 3 doors (E81) 120i 6MT RWD (170 HP)