The new 2015 BMW 1 Series facelift makes its public debut today. The sporty compact hatch builds atop the success of the somewhat controversial pre-facelifted model and comes to market to challenge the likes of Audi A3 and Mercedes-Benz A-Class. While the 1 Series Hatch is still a non-US affair, the excitement around the new facelift is still high. Karim Habib’s team has been hard at work trying to correct some of the design shortcomings of the previous generation and deliver on their promise of creating both emotional and premium cars.
The great changes of the light units are not typical of BMW facelifts in recent years and without a question it suggests that BMW has learned from the feedback received on the previous model. The headlights have been heavily revised and are now slimmer, more angular and with a sporty eyebrow that gives the front-end a more unified look.
The two-part taillights are the next big change on the 1 Series Facelift. They now feature floating LED tubes inside the lights giving the car a more dynamic look from behind. The revised tailgate comes to complete the new butt design.
A newly designed BMW kidney grille and larger air intakes remind us that the 1 Series is a serious hot hatch ready to take on any competitors.
Despite the changes, the BMW 1 Series 2015 remains independent and optically not too close to the BMW 2 Series family.
The new 3-door and 5-door BMW 1 Series models also come with a comprehensively revised engine line-up and additional measures designed to reduce fuel consumption and emissions, allowing them to lead the way once again in the introduction of new BMW EfficientDynamics technology.
The selection of engines available for the new BMW 1 Series model range has been enhanced by the addition of latest-generation petrol and diesel units with three and four cylinders. The torquey and high-revving engines with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology team up with rear-wheel drive – still a unique selling point in the compact segment – to deliver a suitably intense driving experience. It is all packed with an even broader spread of standard equipment, an output boost for the six-cylinder in-line engine powering the BMW M135i M Performance Automobile and cutting-edge innovations from BMW ConnectedDrive also imbue the brand’s hallmark characteristics with renewed vigor.
The 1 Series BMW now comes with a selection of five petrol and five diesel engine options. With petrol engines, only the BMW M135i is now offered with xDrive, while the diesel engines provide the solution with the BMW 120d xDrive and BMW 118d xDrive, packing the needed punch in both power and torque in the new 1 Series models.
New generation of engines, new benchmarks in efficiency
An extensively updated line-up of engines and extended BMW EfficientDynamics technology ensure that the new BMW 1 Series model range once again sets new standards in its class by further reducing fuel consumption and emissions. BMW 1 Series customers will now be offered three-cylinder and four-cylinder power units from the BMW Group’s new engine family. The new efficiency pacesetter in the brand’s model range is the BMW 116d EfficientDynamics Edition with 85 kW/116 hp and average fuel consumption of 3.4 litres/100 kilometres (83.1 mpg imp) combined with CO2 emissions of 89 g/km in the EU test cycle.
As an alternative to the standard six-speed manual gearbox, there is the option of an eight-speed Steptronic transmission (standard in the BMW 125d, BMW 120d xDrive and BMW M135i xDrive). The latest version of the automatic unit now also offers transmission management supported by navigation data.
A 5 kW increase in output (to 240 kW/326 hp) from its six-cylinder in-line engine allows the new BMW M135i (average fuel consumption: 8.0 liters/100 km; CO2 emissions combined: 188 g/km) to strengthen its position as the elite sports performer in the BMW 1 Series’ competitive segment. Like the BMW 120d and BMW 118d, the BMW M Performance Automobile can also be specified with the intelligent all-wheel-drive system xDrive which, as well as serving the causes of traction and directional stability, also enhances the car’s dynamics. The new BMW M135i xDrive (average fuel consumption: 7.8 liters/100 km.
2015 BMW 1 Series Urban Line
Performance for the updated BMW 1 Series is rather impressive, specially considering fuel consumption and power output of the powerplants available for this model. The best performance model is the M135i which outputs 326 horsepower and provides a 0-62mph (0-100km/h) acceleration of 4.9 seconds in the rear-wheel drive model and 4.7 seconds for the xDrive version. The top model is followed closely by the BMW 125i that develops 218 horsepower which allows it to accelerate from 0-62mph (0-100km/h) in 6.2 seconds. Next in line is the BMW 118i with 136 horsepower, an acceleration time of 7.2 seconds combined with excellent average fuel consumption for that particular engine of 6.0 – 5.7 liters (5.9 – 5.6 litres)/100 kilometers. On the lower side of the power range, you will find the entry level model, the BMW 116i with 109 horsepower which allows it to reach 0-62mph (0-100km/h) in 10.9 seconds, but with a fuel consumption of just 5.4 – 5.0 liters/100 kilometers.
As far as diesel engines go, the top model offered performance wise is the 125d that delivers an impressive 224 horsepower, allows the car to accelerate from 0-62mph (0-100km/h) in just 6.3 seconds. It is closely followed by the BMW 120d and 120d xDrive that both deliver 190 horsepower and allow the car to accelerate from 0-62mph (0-100km/h) in 7.0 seconds and 6.8 seconds respectively. With the BMW 118d and BMW 118d xDrive, you get a power output of 150 horsepower and 0-62mph (0-100km/h) times of 8.1 seconds and 8.4 seconds for each model with that engine, providing a nice combination of performance and good mileage too. The diesel offering is wrapped up by two rather interesting engines (for a car like the 1 Series naturally). You can opt out for either the BMW 116d with 116 horsepower and 10.3 seconds for the 0-62mph (0-100km/h) time, or the BMW 116d Efficient Dynamics, which gives you the same performance figures, but it allows for a fuel consumption that will ensure it goes easy on your bank account entirely!
2015 BMW 1 Series M Sport Package and BMW M135i
Sophisticated chassis technology, Tire Pressure Indicator fitted as standard
Advanced chassis technology teams up with rear-wheel drive and an almost perfect (50 : 50) distribution of weight between the front and rear axles to give the new BMW 1 Series unmistakable handling traits headlined by agility and dynamic excellence. Options include adaptive suspension, M Sport suspension, Variable Sports Steering and an M Sport braking system. A Tyre Pressure Indicator showing each individual wheel is now part of the standard specification.
The BMW 1 Series is the only vehicle in its class offering a rear-wheel drive driving configuration, providing owners with driving dynamics, performance and agility unsurpassed in its range. With two powerful options in the BMW M135i and the BMW 125d, you get 0-62mph (0-100km/h) acceleration with 6.1 seconds and 6.3 seconds respectively, but you also receive great fuel consumption too.
Standard equipment for the new BMW 1 Series model range now also features automatic air conditioning, a rain sensor, the BMW Radio Professional and the iDrive operating system, complete with a high-resolution 6.5-inch display integrated in the instrument panel as a freestanding monitor. And the Advantage, Sport Line, Urban Line and M Sport packages available as an alternative to standard specification provide fresh scope for targeted individualization.
Carefully considered updates to the exterior design of the new BMW 1 Series shine the spotlight on its sporting elegance and high-end presence. A newly designed BMW kidney grille and larger air intakes help to emphasis the car’s dynamic potential in familiar BMW style. Headlights were the main reason why some potential customers backed off from it and this has now been resolved finally. The updated headlights come with LED daytime driving lights as standard and can now be specified in full-LED specification as an option. The rear lights have also been completely remodeled. They now display the “L” shape characteristic of BMW models and reveal LED-powered lights.
2015 BMW 1 Series Facelift Interior Design
New assistance systems and services from BMW ConnectedDrive
The selection of optional driver assistance systems from BMW ConnectedDrive available for the BMW 1 Series now also includes the radar-based Active Cruise Control system with Stop & Go function. The latest-generation Parking Assistant now enables parallel parking in tight spaces restricted either by two obstacles or on one side only, as well as automatic transverse parking. Features such as the camera-based Driving Assistant, rear-view camera and Speed Limit Info system with No Passing Info display can also be specified.
All models in the new BMW 1 Series line-up come as standard with an embedded SIM card, which allows use of the likewise standard Intelligent Emergency Call and BMW TeleServices functions, as well as access to optional internet-based mobility services. In addition to BMW Online and Real Time Traffic Information, customers can also enjoy the Online entertainment function. Further online services can be integrated into the car using smartphone apps and operated safely, intuitively and conveniently via the iDrive system.
Meanwhile, the new Navigation system Professional also offers automatic map updating by mobile phone via the embedded SIM card, which is free of charge to customers for the first three years following registration of the car.
The new 2015 BMW 1 Series Facelift goes on sale in March 2015 and it still won’t be available to U.S. customers.
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