BMW 1 Series update 2013 Review - International

Equipment and technology across the 1 Series three-door spectrum will be shared with the 1 Series five-door launched here late last year. What is new, for us at least, is a significant expansion of engine options. They now total eight including an ultra-efficient EfficientDynamics Edition and the range-topping powerhouse M135i.

While we won’t get the three-door body style, it’s a sure bet that at least some of the engine options presented here will make it Down Under. Though just which of these will make this list is still a bone of contention with BMW Australia.

An automatic transmission attracts a $2700 premium locally, while metallic paint is a substantial $1700 extra.

Equipped with a less premium flavour than those models sold in Australia, Euro-spec models can seem a little ‘bare bones’ by comparison -- though the introduction of model ‘Line’ choices with 1 and 3 Series does help quantify those differences, at least to a degree.

Aimed at individualising packaging requirements to personal taste, the Sport Line, Urban Line and M Sport Package bring three unique personalities to 1 Series three-door. As these are identical to those on offer in five-door models, for details please refer to our launch review of this model via link above.

Starting at the lower end of the scale, the 114i and 116i variants share a 1598cc inline four-cylinder. Adjustments to boost pressure of the unit’s turbocharger achieve outputs of 75kW/180Nm and 100kW/220Nm respectively with full torque available on both models from as low as 1100rpm.

A six-speed manual transmission is standard fare, with 116i available optionally with an eight-speed automatic. Depending on wheel and tyre sizes composite fuel consumption figures for 114i and 116i are 5.5L/100km, with the automatic 116i sipping 5.6L/100km. CO2 emissions are 129g/km for both manual variants, the automatic adding a 2g/km at the tailpipe.

The entry-end 116d and 118d turbodiesel share a 1995cc inline four-cylinder featuring variable geometry turbocharging tuned to output 85kW/260Nm and 105kW/320Nm respectively. Like their petrol siblings, both models offer a low-end torque kick with the full complement of twist available from just 1750rpm.

In both guises a six-speed manual transmission is standard with an eight-speed automatic available optionally. Again, depending on the rubber fitted, fuel economy averages are rated at 4.3L/100km and 4.4L/100km for manual variants of the 116d and 118d respectively, while both automatic versions register 4.4L/100km. CO2 emissions are 114g/km and 115g/km for manual models, each adding 1g/km when fitted with an automatic transmission.

Nestled between the entry-level diesel and mid-tier petrols is an uber-efficient oiler dubbed 116d EfficientDynamics Edition. Powered by a 1598cc inline four-cylinder, this turbocharged diesel outputs a mere 85kW/260Nm, but achieves a hybrid-like combined fuel consumption figure of just 3.8L/100km.

Emitting 99g/km of CO2 116d EfficientDynamics Edition exemplifies BMW’s efforts in achieving ‘more from less’ where diesel power is concerned.

The sixth model in BMW’s new 1 Series three-door line-up is the petrol-powered 125i. Motivated by a 1997cc inline four-cylinder this peppy variant delivers 160kW/310Nm, with full torque available from a low 1350rpm. Accelerating from 0-100km/h in 6.2 seconds (auto) 125i consumes 6.6L/100km when married to a six-speed manual transmission or 6.4L/100km when optioned with an eight-speed automatic. Tailpipe emissions are 154g/km and 149g/km respectively.

Topping the diesel range 125d brings a whopping 450Nm to the 1 Series party. Powered by a 1995cc inline four-cylinder, this 160kW unit sprints to 100km/h in just 6.3 seconds (eight-speed automatic) while consuming as little as 4.8L/100km. Six-speed manual models are slightly slower and thirstier at 6.5 seconds and 4.9L/100km while CO2 emissions are lineball at 126g/km and 129g/km respectively.

The flagship of the 1 Series three-door range is the impressive M135i. As the ‘M’ might suggest, this sports-oriented model boasts the highest output of any in the range. Powered by a 2979cc inline six-cylinder M135i utilises a twin-scroll turbocharger and direct fuel-injection to output 235kW at 5800rpm and 450Nm from 1300 to 4500rpm.

Racing from 0-100km/h in 4.9 seconds for the eight-speed and 5.1 seconds for the six-speed manual, the M135i is electronically limited to a top-speed of 250km/h. These impressive figures notwithstanding, M135i consumes 7.5L/100km (auto) while emitting 175g/km of CO2, or 8.0L/100km and 188g/km when optioned with the automatic transmission.

All 1 Series three-door models are suspended by a strut (front) / multi-link (rear) arrangement, feature four-wheel disc brakes and electric power steering. Servotronic variable sports steering is optional, while wheel sizes range from 16 to 18-inches with a mix of steel and alloy construction depending on variant.

In fact, the body and wheelbase are longer (+85mm and +30mm), the track wider (+51mm front, +72mm rear) and body fatter (+17mm) than the first-gen 1. And while the body height is the same, the interior space sees new 1 Series three-door liberate more rear legroom (+21mm) and more cargo space (+30 litres), to now total 360 litres.

Available with a two- or three-passenger rear seat, 1 Series three-door also offers a choice of split-fold bench (60:40 or 40:20:40), liberating up to 1200 litres of cargo space when flipped flat.

The driver-oriented cockpit offers identical layout and accommodation to the five-door model and includes the layered, forward-angled lines and wider centre stack aimed at created greater “visual space”.

Again, like five-door models, the three-door offers improved oddment storage -- something sorely lacking in the original 1 Series -- and improved outward vision. iDrive and the 6.5-inch colour infotainment screen are also carried over from 1 Series five-door.

Optionally, BMW’s ConnectedDrive system offers a raft of driver assistance and mobility services including high-beam assist, adaptive headlamps, parking assistance, reversing camera, lane departure warning, cruise control with brake function, speed limit and passing information systems, as well as enhanced integration of smart phones and music players to now include real-time traffic information, web radio reception and access to Facebook and Twitter.

Like its five-door sibling, 1 Series three-door offers six airbags, a tyre pressure indicator, dynamic brake lights (which pulse under heavy braking), anti-whiplash head restraints, and three-point (lap-sash) seatbelts in all seating positions.

ISOFIX and top-tether child seat anchorage points are offered in the rear while the usual array of electronic driver aids -- including stability and traction control, antilock brakes, etc. --  are offered as standard on all models regardless of variant.

Nonetheless, and reiterating its stance from the five-door’s launch, BMW insists that on a dollar-for-dollar, spec-adjusted basis 1 Series will attract people who want to “be seen” in a Beemer, while the “dynamism of rear-wheel drive” will alleviate any shortcomings in standard equipment offered in cheaper alternatives…

Driving the M135i at the launch of the new 1 Series three-door (it was the only model offered to international media), we find a particularly sporty package that retains the practicality of an urban runabout... Albeit one with a fire in its belly.

Behind those big eyes and long bonnet BMW’s 3.0-litre six beats deeply at idle, its hearty bass note hinting none too subtly at what lies beneath. The acres of power (14hp and 50Nm more than 335i) is immediately accessible and small prods at the throttle in the industrial estate leading from BMW M GmbH HQ were an early indicator that there’s a serious side to this pint-sized hatch.

Pointing M135i at the autobahn we found an appropriate length of unoccupied tarmac and opened the taps. A quick jump back to second gear and the shove in the back came like a crack of the whip as the tacho soared to redline.

The sound in the cabin is immensely impressive, and is met at each shift by a brief flutter from the turbocharger -- and another kick from the driveline. There’s so much power coursing through this little chassis that you’re acutely aware of the 'twist' running through the car’s centre, and each gear change is felt as you pile on the revs.

The ultra quick Servotronic electric power steering keeps a firm hold on proceedings with an accurate feel we found lacking in 3 Series Touring and ActiveHybrid 3 models sampled earlier. Just two turns lock-to-lock is enough to keep M135i’s nose to the ground as it sniffs out corners quick enough to test M’s lowered ride and super sticky 18-inch Michelin rubber.

Overall the hatch doesn’t disappoint. The grip is there in spades, and though the drive route’s handful of uber smooth corners was limited, the few bends sampled at speed simply whet the appetite.

Braking is equally strong. The four-pot front / two-pot rear stoppers grab dinner plate-sized discs with sufficient grip to feel the seatbelt tug at your collarbone. It’s nearly impossible to upset M135i’s innate sense of balance, and even with the electronic nannies hogtied in the dashboard, the little hatch would only come unstuck when given a hearty dose of throttle.

While it certainly has the dynamism and the horsepower to make any hot hatch owner jealous, M135i is not without its Dr Jekyll side. You can wind back proceedings with just a wrist flick of the gearstick, and a double tap of the Drive Mode selector to Comfort. Here, the M135i is as placid as any weekday runabout, quiet and obviously practical.

For the record the rear seats still flip down but there's only enough room in the back seat to accommodate children, pets or amputees. At least fuel economy figures return to respectable levels when given half a chance.

As quick as the 1 Series M Coupe, the M135i is just as impressive on the road and just as practical as any other hatch. Sure, it’s not the track-day warrior the M Coupe is, but as a fast and liveable hatch M135i has it nailed.

Read the latest Carsales Network news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at the carsales mobile site