BMW 1 Series 2019 Review – International

When the original BMW 1 Series launched back in 2004 the Bavarian car-maker was careful to emphasise that this new, premium compact hatchback would hold true to the German brand’s ‘sheer driving pleasure’ credo.

The smallest BMW in 30 years was the only rear-wheel drive in its segment, and it impressed even the most hardened of critics – including our own Editor in Chief, Mike Sinclair, who said it was “Delicious: Light without being flighty; and as communicative as an MX-5”. High praise, indeed.

The move to front-wheel drive, therefore, seems to undo all that the BMW 1 Series stands for.

Packaging benefits notwithstanding, the shift signals a submission to profitability for the proud German marque. The unique selling point of the 1 Series is gone. It’s now another high-volume premium compact with the economies of scale to match.

Sentimentality aside, that’s not entirely a bad thing. BMW has worked hard to fuse a strong dynamic character into its more spacious, better proportioned third-generation 1 Series.

Turning the engine at a right angle has shortened the bonnet, pulling 5mm from the car’s overall length (now 4319mm) and 20mm from its wheelbase (now 2670mm). Conversely, the new 1 Series is wider (+34mm to 1799mm) and taller (+13mm to 1434mm), giving it a squarer profile overall.

The rear seat grows to offer passengers 33mm more knee room, 19mm more headroom and 13mm of additional elbowroom. The rear floor is obviously flatter, while the more spacious cargo compartment grows 20 litres to 380.

Four equipment grades will be available in Europe: Advantage, Sport Line, Luxury Line and M Sport. Australian specifications and pricing are yet to be confirmed, but we expect a price range similar to or slightly higher than the current F20-series, which retails betwen $38,990 and $62,990 (plus on-road costs).

The move to front-wheel drive certainly makes the 1 Series more orthodox in terms of its mechanical configuration, but what about its styling?

When the original BMW 1 Series was launched the brand worked hard to differentiate it from the 3, 5 and 7 Series. It was a decision that worked in its favour; the youthful, curvaceous design of the all-new hatch was a determining factor in what would eventually amount to over 1.3 million sales.

So from that standing it appears the latest 1 Series is something of an about-face.

The large kidney grilles, canted headlights and shark-nose fascia evoke a strong family resemblance, while the rising window line and athletic shoulders – and the obligatory Hofmeister kink – are another nod to larger family members, particularly the X2 crossover that was penned by the same designer.

Cleverly, they’re lines that, while familiar, are at the same time simple and crisp. The 1 Series is recognisable as a BMW no matter the angle from which it’s viewed; the rear-end is especially muscular, exaggerating the width of the car.

That sense of ‘horizontal width’ continues inside the cabin. BMW’s driver-oriented cockpit conveys an impression of roominess met with an interaction of differing textures. It’s a technique that creates depth and interest in an otherwise flat surface, perhaps in a bid to soften the presence of the 1 Series’ two large display screens.

Three front seat types and a choice of cloth or leather upholstery are available in the new BMW 1 Series, the latter in Black or Magma Red. M Sport seats feature an integrated head restraint and extendable seat cushion, the M135i xDrive including an M Sport steering wheel and Trigon/Sensatec sports seats in black with contrasting blue stitching and piping.

New LED trim strips for the instrument panel and door linings are finished in matte Quartz Silver and Pearl-effect Chrome and offer up to six different colours which can be stored (along with many other preference settings) in the driver’s personalised key.

The classic BMW twin-dial instrument panel remains a feature of the 1 Series dashboard. It’s available with in-built navigation and Apple CarPlay (but not Android Auto) connectivity via a central digital screen, which also displays turn-by-turn directions, entertainment preferences, trip computer read-outs and real-time traffic information. A 9.2-inch colour head-up display is optional for the first time.

Secondary controls are grouped logically beneath the central infotainment screen (which now measure 8.8 or 10.25 inches depending on grade), with dual-zone climate control and a small storage compartment with inductive smartphone charging set simply below a pair of vents.

The infotainment system may be accessed via the console-mounted iDrive controller, or by touch, voice or gesture control – all of which can be personalised.

Dubbed BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant (first seen in the BMW 3 Series sedan), the system can find you a parking spot or navigate to your next destination, of course. But can also explain how various features of the car work, and even operate specific functions of the car by saying “Hey BMW, I’m cold”, for example, to turn up the heat.

BMW’s latest 1 Series is capable of parking itself – and even extracting itself from tight parking spaces – and may be accessed via the new BMW Digital Key or even your smartphone as part of the Comfort Access option package.

A six-speaker BMW Stereo sound system with 100-Watt amplifier is standard. A BMW HiFi sound system with 10 speakers and 205 Watts is available optionally, while premium audio again comes courtesy of Harmon/Kardon. The top-shelf surround-sound system offers a total of 16 speakers and 464 Watts.

Though Australian specifications and pricing are yet to be confirmed, carsales.com.au understands only petrol variants of the new 1 Series line-up will be available locally. In Europe, a more comprehensive mix of turbocharged petrol and diesel three- and four-cylinder engines is available.

For the entry-grade diesel model, the 116d, there’s a 1.5-litre three-cylinder unit making 85kW at 4000rpm and 270Nm between 1750-2250rpm. BMW says that’s sufficient for a 0-100km/h time of 10.3sec and that combined fuel consumption and CO2 emissions are 3.8L/100km and 100g/km respectively.

The BMW 118d and BMW 120d xDrive meanwhile utilise a 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel engine. It makes 110kW at 4000rpm and 350Nm from 1750-2500rpm in the 118d and 140kW at 4000rpm and 400Nm between 1750-2500rpm in the 120d xDrive.

Acceleration to 100km/h is listed at 8.4sec and 7.0sec respectively, while fuel consumption and CO2 emission averages are 4.1L/100km and 108g/km and 4.5L/100km and 117g/km respectively.

On the petrol side there’s a 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbo engine powering the BMW 118i, and a 2.0-litre turbo four in the M135i xDrive. Both are slated for Australian showrooms.

The triple makes 103kW between 4600-6500rpm and 220Nm from 1480-4200rpm, with an additional 10Nm available on overboost. The BMW 118i accelerates to 100km/h in 8.5sec, consumes 5.0L/100km and emits 114g/km.

For the flagship M135i xDrive, BMW uses its most powerful four-cylinder engine yet. Developing 225kW betwen 5000-6250rpm and 450Nm over a broad 1750-4500rpm, the sporty model is capable of accelerating to 100km/h in 4.7sec while consuming just 6.8L/100km. CO2 emissions are listed at 155g/km.

Three different transmission choices are available in the new BMW 1 Series range including a six-speed manual gearbox, seven-speed dual-clutch and eight-speed automatic (see specifications table below).

Both automatic transmissions are able to adapt their shift patterns for better efficiency according to the route selected (and via the navigation system), as is the adaptive cruise control, transmission coasting function and idle-stop system.

All variants excusing the all-wheel drive 120d xDrive and M135i xDrive are driven by the front wheels, meaning we won’t see a dedicated M model built on BMW’s UKL-2 platform nor a direct rival for the Mercedes-AMG 45.

Combining high-strength steel with aluminium – in the bonnet and tailgate, for instance – allowed BMW to strip 30kg from the kerb mass of the new 1 Series.

Considering the old model tipped the scale between 1305 and 1475kg (kerb), that difference is negligible, but the body also brings an improvement in torsional rigidity that pays dividends both at the wheel and in the unfortunate event of a crash.

The new BMW 1 Series rides on a MacPherson front and multi-link rear suspension arrangement. It is available in standard, lowered M Sport (-10mm) and adaptive configurations, the latter offering a two-mode set-up for Comfort or Sport driving.

Camera, ultrasonic and radar-based driver assistance technologies found in more expensive BMW models are also offered in the 1 Series for the first time.

The array includes everything from Stop & Go adaptive cruise control to traffic sign recognition, collision and pedestrian warning (with autonomous emergency braking), lane departure and active lane return technology, as well as rear and cross-traffic collision warning.

Anti-slip technology from the BMW i3 is included in the stability control program of the new 1 Series to help eliminate the front-wheel drive model’s inherent understeer properties. BMW says the system also helps to improve steering feel and provides a more neutral chassis balance.

In the event the system is disabled by the driver, the electronic differential lock control function (electronic torque vectoring by another name) works to simulate the function of a mechanical limited-slip differential by applying the brake to the unloaded wheel. There’s also a ‘half-way’ setting in which the traction control is reduced.

BMW also included a new ‘boomerang-style’ cross-brace between the rear suspension and rear-seat footwell to distribute vertical and torsional impact loads more evenly throughout the chassis. It’s a first for the brand, and one it says promotes a more neutral feel from its first front-wheel drive 1 Series.

BMW offered both the 118d and M135i xDrive for us to drive at the international launch and since only petrol models will be offered in Australia, it’s the M135i xDrive that is the focus of this review.

Jumping behind the wheel and it’s obvious the new 1 Series is a step up over its predecessor. The quality of materials, shut lines and technology offerings are of an obviously higher standard, and the view out of the car is also easier as a result of the squarer body style.

However, the proximity of the seat to the A-pillar can make stepping in and out more difficult if the seat isn’t retracted first.

Hit the console-mounted starter and the M135i xDrive has a noticeable cold-start bark. It’s somewhat artificial, but soon vanishes as you take to the road.

The BMW 1 Series is noticeably quieter this time around and the reduction in road and wind noise is especially evident. It’s a quality that allows easy conversations at highway speeds and greater enjoyment of the high-fidelity Harmon/Kardon audio system.

On the road the new 225kW/450Nm four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine takes little provocation to deliver highway speeds. The eight-speed automatic cooperates cleanly to reach higher ratios quickly, helping to achieve fuel consumption figures close to those claimed on the brochure.

It’s a combination that can be trusted to comply with the driver’s intention when left to its own devices (ie: in Drive), but is more enjoyable driven manually since BMW has delivered a pronounced ‘step’ for each shift of the ZF Sachs-sourced transmission.

Drive to the front wheels (in most situations the 1 Series favours the front wheels) comes without evident torque steer and, unless provoked, demonstrates very little driveline ‘shunt’ or transmission shift shock – even when driving the M135i in its sportiest setting and at speeds unlikely to be encountered on Australian roads.

Steering feel is relaxed and well-assisted, but without the ‘realness’ of the outgoing model. It’s a lighter, more digital steering sensation, for sure, but one that’s still impressively accurate; and far easier to live with in an around-town setting.

The wheel position falls to hand easily, as do all the primary controls. The cockpit design makes the 1 Series feel like a more ‘driver-focussed’ car as the angular edges of the instrument binnacle subliminally guide your eyes upward to the road ahead.

Get on the picks and the M135i xDrive stops in a hurry. Considering the newly designed narrow-block four-piston callipers are a first, the modulation of the brake pedal and assistance of the electronics is equally impressive. The car stops accurately and with real purpose when requested, hinting that the M135i xDrive is keen to follow in the footsteps of the outgoing M140i – even if that soulful six-cylinder soundtrack is no longer.

It’ll be interesting to see how the BMW 1 Series drives on local roads. Low-profile rubber on 19-inch wheels might work well on German roads (and it did), but on pockmarked Aussie B and C roads it could be a different story.

It’s unclear whether Australia will get the clever, two-stage adaptive dampers on its petrol-powered variants, but if the suspension is as good as it was on the new Bimmer’s home ground, then we should see an interesting rivalry rise between it and the Audi S3 and Mercedes-AMG A 35 (cue the comparison…).

As a front (or all) wheel drive proposition the new BMW 1 Series certainly lives up its manufacturer’s claim of being a pleasurable driving car. It’s undoubtedly a sweet, well sorted and spritely premium hatch.

Sure, it doesn’t have the same dynamic ‘push’ or on-throttle response of its unique rear-drive predecessor, but considering the cloth it’s cut from it performs exactly as the educated premium hatch buyer would expect.

If that’s not proof that BMW can adapt to changing trends, then perhaps the 1 Series isn’t for you. For everyone else, it’s an absolute winner.

How much does the 2019 BMW 116d cost?
Price: $38,990- $62,990 (current Australian price range)
Available: N/A
Engine: 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 85kW/270Nm
Transmission: Six-speed manual; seven-speed dual-clutch
Fuel: 3.8L/100km (NEDC Combined)
CO2: 100g/km (NEDC Combined)
Safety rating: TBC

How much does the 2019 BMW 118d cost?
Price: $38,990-$62,990 (current Australian price range)
Available: N/A
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 110kW/350Nm
Transmission: Six-speed manual; eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 4.1L/100km (NEDC Combined)
CO2: 108g/km (NEDC Combined)
Safety rating: TBC

How much does the 2019 BMW 120d xDrive cost?
Price: $38,990-$62,990 (current Australian price range)
Available: N/A
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 140kW/400Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 4.5L/100km (NEDC Combined)
CO2: 117g/km (NEDC Combined)
Safety rating: TBC

How much does the 2019 BMW 118i cost?
Price: $38,990-$62,990 (current Australian price range)
Available: October
Engine: 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 103kW/220Nm
Transmission: Six-speed manual; seven-speed dual-clutch
Fuel: 5.0L/100km (NEDC Combined)
CO2: 114g/km (NEDC Combined)
Safety rating: TBC

How much does the 2019 BMW M135i xDrive cost?
Price: $38,990-$62,990 (current Australian price range)
Available: October
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 225kW/450Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 6.8L/100km (NEDC Combined)
CO2: 155g/km (NEDC Combined)
Safety rating: TBC