BMW 1 Series 2015 Review

With the third-generation 1 Series due to migrate to BMW's latest front/all-wheel drive compact car platform (seen under the 2 Series Active Tourer and MINI hatch) by 2018, you're looking at the world's last – and only – small rear-drive hatch.

That means that while the smallest BMW model's rear legroom remains relatively tight (although boot space and rear headroom is decent), the "most comprehensive mid-cycle facelift in BMW's recent history" adds a host of extra equipment to its key USP: benchmark dynamics.

Yes, even the base model – now called the 118i, instead of 116i – handles with aplomb, offering a genuinely engaging driving experience with a distinctly different flavour to its entry-level front-drive rivals in the A3 1.4 TFSI and A 180.

There are no changes to the 100kW/220Nm 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine, which will be replaced by a more efficient 1.5-litre turbo-triple with similar outputs in the fourth quarter of this year, meaning combined fuel consumption remains 5.6L/100km and claimed 0-100km/h acceleration still takes 8.7sec.

But the base 1 Series' 1.6 turbo-petrol four – matched with a slick eight-speed auto as on all models – provides enough punch to be enjoyable, with pronounced brake fade on an extended downhill section being the only blot on its copybook during this week's local launch drive in the hills west of Brisbane.

At $36,900 (plus on-road costs), it's still $1000 more expensive than its key German competitors, but the 2015 118i comes with a host of extra equipment including a reversing camera, Sport Line trim, Sport steering wheel, climate-control, auto wipers, ConnectedDrive Lifestyle and ConnectedDrive Real Time Traffic Information.

Also standard in the cheapest petrol and diesel 1 Series models is cloth trim, satellite-navigation, rear parking sensors and 16-inch alloy wheels.

The same specification level is shared with the 118d diesel variant ($40,300 plus ORCs – down $2700), which arrives next month and comes with a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel that boasts an extra 5kW (now 110kW/320Nm) and hits 100km/h in 8.1sec, yet consumes just 4.0L/100km.

Conceived by Sydney-born designer Calvin Luk, external cosmetic updates across the range include a new front bumper with larger air intakes, a more pronounced grille and LED daytime running lights for the first time, plus slimmer headlights and new two-piece L-shaped LED tail-lights, bringing a subtle but discernible new exterior look.

While changes are minor inside, our test car was fitted with digital radio ($385 extra), extended smartphone functions ($670) and Urban Line trim ($1000) including garish gloss-white centre console, air-vent and door handle inserts.

Ride quality in the 120i (previously called the 118i) with larger 17-inch wheels as standard was noticeably sharper, but the higher-output (130kW/250Nm – up 5kW from before) 1.6-litre turbo-petrol four delivers noticeable more performance than the 118i at all revs.

It also consumes the same amount of fuel but is 1.5sec quicker to 100km/h (7.2sec). The only downside is price, which at $41,900 (plus ORCs) is $2700 less than the 118i it replaces but $5000 more than the new 118i.

For the extra dosh you get the aforementioned 17-inch alloys, foglights, extended climate-control, anti-dazzle interior mirror, interior lights package, storage package, extended smartphone connectivity, Sensatec upholstery, Driving Assistant and extended instrument cluster.

The 120i press car we drove was also fitted with a sunroof ($2000), Dakota leather trim ($1690), digital radio ($385), parking sensors ($300) and automated parking ($200).

Moving up to the 125i and the extra performance of the bigger, carry-over 160kW/310Nm 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four was equally compelling, even if the model costs $900 more than before at $48,900 (plus ORCs).

Offsetting that is an M Sport package as standard including M Sport brakes, suspension, aerodynamics and 18-inch wheels, plus an eight-speed ‘sport’ automatic transmission, variable sport steering, folding anti-dazzle exterior mirrors, LED headlights, front/rear parking sensors and Alcantara/cloth trim.

We loved the chunky M leather multifunction steering wheel with shift paddles, the beefier four-piston front M brake callipers (painted blue all round) and lower (-10mm) M Sport suspension that now comes standard in the M Sport pack-equipped 125i.

For under $49K ($7000 more than the 120i), the 125i is probably the sweetheart of the 1 Series line-up, sprinting to 100km/h a second sooner than the 120i (in 6.2sec) and consuming less than a litre more per 100km at 6.3L/100km.

But the undisputed hero of the range remains the M135i hot hatch, which at $62,900 (plus ORCs) is over $2000 cheaper than before and now just $1800 pricier than the less powerful S3 Sportback.

Standard extras include adaptive M suspension, 18-inch M alloys, adaptive LED headlights, Professional sat-nav, Hi-Fi loudspeaker system, digital radio and leather trim, plus a 'mobility kit' instead of run-flat tyres.

The revised 1 Series flagship delivers 5kW more peak power than its predecessor, and its 240kW/450kW inline turbo-petrol six consumes 7.5L/100km and accelerates the hot hatch to 100km/h in 4.9sec.

That's quick in anyone's language, the extra urge of the punchy in-line turbo six exploiting the full potential of the rear-drive 1 Series chassis, in which the talkative steering remains pin-sharp and unflinching even over the most extreme mid-corner bumps at high speed.

How BMW will follow this up with a bona-fide successor based on MINI underpinnings is anyone's guess, but get in now if you're keen to own the last ever rear-drive hot hatch from BMW.

Also consider:
>> Audi A3 Sportback (from $35,900 plus ORCs)
>> Lexus CT 200h (from $37,990 plus ORCs)
>> Mercedes-Benz A-Class (from $35,900 plus ORCs)