2015 BMW 1 Series hatch revealed

BMW's facelifted rear-drive 1 Series hatchback has broken cover in Europe, showing of a more handsome nose and tail than its predecessor, while making use of new three-cylinder turbo engines for the first time.

BMW Australia says the updated three- and five-door 1 Series hatch will lob in Australia early in the second half of 2015 and will include many of the new features available to European customers, such as radar-based cruise control, camera-based driving assistance and ConnectedDrive features. The latter means the cars can be equipped with a SIM card that allows the vehicle to connect to the Internet and take advantage of several services, from real-time traffic updates to a concierge service. It also delivers improved smartphone connectivity.

However the drawcard feature of the facelifted BMW 1 Series hatch is arguably the addition of the new 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol that powers the 116i. Generating 80kW/180Nm it's from the same family as the MINI Cooper's engine, and sips fuel at a (claimed) rate of just 5.0L/100km. There is also a turbo-diesel version of the three-cylinder 1.5-litre engine, which uses (claimed) 4.0L/100km, while generating 85kW/270Nm. Unlike the MINI engine, the BMW's is longitudinally mounted. 

BMW Australia's general manager corporate communications, Lenore Fletcher, told motoring.com.au that while the new three-cylinder engines will be an attractive addition to the 1 Series range, they won't be offered initially when the new-look hatch arrives here early in the second half of 2015. The new three-pot engines will be offered at a later date, she explained.

When the new model debuts the range will likely mirror the current line-up says Fletcher, which means the return of the fire-breathing M135i ($64,930), which now belts out more power, up 5kW to 240kW/450Nm.

The range currently looks like this: 116i, 118d, 118i, 125i, then M135i as mentioned. Prices start at $36,900 but there could be a shake-up on the cards.

As evidenced in the photos, the new 2015 BMW 1 Series hatch features restyled headlight clusters, LED driving lights as standard and optional LED full beams. The trademark BMW kidney grille has been tweaked, as has the front apron.

BMW has incorporated completely new LED brake lights that bring the rear styling treatment up to date. Roof and doors remain unchanged but BMW has tizzied up the interior with a new look upper dashpad and revised radio and climate controls.

The next-generation BMW 1 Series hatch is yet to surface, which will lose its rear-wheel drive layout – something BMW touts as a unique selling point – in favour of a more affordable, space saving front-wheel drive layout.

The new FWD BMW 1 Series will be based on the same UKL platform architecture as the MINI Cooper, 2 Series Active Tourer and upcoming X1, so this will be the last chance to purchase a traditional rear-drive BMW 1 Series hatch.

It's not clear when the next-generation 1 Series is coming to Australia, as Fletcher wouldn't be drawn on timing, but it's understood to be at least 18 months away.