BMW has unveiled its new BMW 1 Series. The German OEM will launch the hatchback with a choice of three diesel and two petrol engines. The line-up is spearheaded by the newly developed four-cylinder power unit for the BMW M135i xDrive, BMW Group’s most powerful four-cylinder engine.
The 2-liter unit under the bonnet of the M135i xDrive model delivers 310ps with the help of BMW TwinPower Turbo technology and peak torque of 450Nm. Thanks to the four-cylinder unit, the M135i will accelerate from zero to 100km/h in 4.8 seconds, while top speed is limited to 250km/h. The hatchback returns 8l/100km and emits 157-155g/km of CO₂.
The 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine powering the entry level BMW 118i, has been tweaked to cut CO₂ emissions by 29g/km at the same time as boosting maximum power output by 4ps to 142ps. The power unit, which is five kilograms lighter than the one it replaces, generates peak torque of 220Nm.
The BMW 118i accelerates from zero to 100km/h in 8.5 seconds and goes on to a top speed of 212km/h. It posts combined fuel consumption of 6l/100km with CO₂ emissions of 123-114g/kg.
Three diesel units will be available for the new BMW 1 Series from launch and upgrades have brought about a 5% reduction in fuel consumption, at the same time as lowering other pollutant emissions.
The BMW 116d is powered by a 1.5-liter 117ps three-cylinder engine with a maximum torque of 270Nm, while returning 4.6l/100km and emitting CO₂ of 103-100g/km.This is sufficient for a top speed of 200km/h and a zero to 100km/h benchmark time of 10.3 seconds.
The BMW 118d and 120d xDrive are powered by 2.0-liter four-cylinder, two-stage turbocharged diesel engines. The 118d returns 4.7l/100km with CO₂ emissions of 111-108g/km. The output of the 118d peaks at 152ps while maximum torque is 350Nm. The zero to 100km/h sprint takes 8.5 seconds and top speed is 218km/h.
The arrival of the new BMW 1 Series also marks the first time three different transmission technologies have been employed in the range. In the 116d, 118d and 118i, the engine’s power is delivered via an upgraded six-speed manual gearbox.
And new to the 1 Series line-up is the seven-speed Steptronic dual-clutch transmission, which can be added to both the 116d and the 118i. This enables faster gear changes and a long seventh gear to keeps revs low, helping to lower fuel consumption.
In addition, further improvements have been made to the shift comfort and acoustic properties of the eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission fitted as an option in the 118d and as standard in the 120d xDrive and the M135i xDrive.
