First front-drive BMW hatchback revealed

The third generation of BMW’s cheapest model has been officially revealed in full for the first time, and the all-new BMW 1 Series is a radical departure from its forebears in terms of both design and engineering.

While its chief competitors like the Audi A3 and Mercedes-Benz A-Class have always been front-wheel drive, the 2019 BMW 1 Series is the first ever front-drive BMW hatch and only the second front-drive BMW model after the 2 Series Active Tourer people-mover.

By riding on a development of MINI’s UKL platform, BMW says the new 1 Series “has taken a major leap forward” in terms of passenger and cargo space, as well as weight, while the range-topping transverse turbo-four M135i xDrive promises to live up to the dynamic reputation of the unique, outgoing turbo-six rear-drive M140i hot hatch thanks to all-wheel drive.

After more than 1.3 million sales of the first two 1 Series models globally, BMW says a five-year development process saw it “channel all the experience amassed by the BMW Group over recent years with front-wheel drive technology in other models into the new 1 Series.

“The result is a dynamic sharpness unprecedented in front-wheel drive cars, with which it sets new standards in the premium compact class.”

Confirmed for Australian release in the fourth quarter of this year – around the same time as Europe, following the global launch in late September – the F40-generation BMW 1 Series has been teased, leaked and spied several times.

The replacement for BMW’s smallest model is based on the German car-maker’s new FAAR platform and available only as a five-door hatch with a striking wedge-shaped profile, narrow side windows, steeply raked bonnet, angular headlights and, for the first time, a large double kidney grille.

Riding on a 2670mm wheelbase (20mm shorter than before), it measures 4319mm long, 1799mm wide and 1434mm tall, making it 5mm shorter but 34mm wider and 13mm taller than the second-generation BMW 1 Series.

Despite the shorter wheelbase, the wider, taller body are claimed to liberate 42mm more elbow room for front occupants and an 20 extra litres of boot space (now 380 litres). Total cargo space expands to 1200 litres with the 60/40-split rear seats (a 40/20/40-split will be optional) folded down. Boot width is up by 67mm and accessible by an optional electric tailgate for the first time.

The switch from RWD to FWD/AWD also brings a bit more knee, elbow and head room for rear-seat passengers. How much? Just 33mm, 13mm and – if the new outward-opening sliding panoramic sunroof is specified – 19mm respectively.

Australian specifications are yet to be confirmed but standard across the European range will be autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning and rear cross-traffic alert.

Apart from the powered tailgate and panoramic sunroof, new technologies will include a 10.25-inch touch-screen infotainment system with BMW Operating System 7.0, BMW Live Cockpit Professional, gesture control and natural voice recognition, plus a customisable 10.25-inch digital instrument panel, 9.2-inch colour head-up display and backlit interior trim strips in three different designs with six switchable colours.

Other options or fitted only to the top-shelf BMW M135i will be active cruise control with stop/go, full LED headlights, automated parking assist, a 464-Watt 16-speaker Harman/Kardon audio system, BMW Digital Key (the ability to use an NFC-equipped phone as a wireless key), wireless phone charging, front/rear parking sensors and wheel sizes up to 19-inch.

Depending on the model variant (four equipment lines will be available in Europe including Advantage, Luxury and Sport), cosmetic features will comprise aluminium or gloss black body bits, Dakota leather trim, sports seats and, for the M135i, an M body kits with mesh-design grille and 100mm angle-cut exhaust outlets in Cerium Grey.

Other than the M135i xDrive flagship, the Australian model range is yet to be revealed, but none of Europe’s three diesel engines (consuming as little as 3.8L/100km) are likely to be offered here. These include the 85kW/270Nm 116d, 110kW/350Nm 118d and the 140kW/400Nm 120d xDrive.

That leaves only two petrol models including the other AWD model, the M135i xDrive powered by a 225kW/450Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine, and the entry-level BMW 118i powered by a 103kW/220Nm 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine with petrol particulate filter.

In Europe, a six-speed manual is standard for the 116d, 118d and 118i, a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission is optional for the 116d and 118i, and an eight-speed auto is optional for the 118d and standard for the 120d and M135i AWDs.

BMW says all new 1 Series models will handle better than the vehicles they replace, thanks in part to actuator contiguous wheel slip limitation (ARB) from the BMW i3s. Standard across the range, ARB is claimed to relay traction loss up to three times quicker than before and allow drivers to perceive it being brought under control up to 10 times faster.

Combined with stability control and BMW Performance Control (yaw moment distribution via inside wheel braking), which is also standard across the range, ARB is said to “bring about a clear reduction in the power understeer normally experienced in front-wheel-drive cars”.

“Whether front-wheel drive or equipped with BMW xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive, the new 1 Series has taken its agility to a level above its predecessor. Its fast and precise responses are clearly perceptible and serve to enhance the driving experience,” says BMW.

All engine variants receive multi-link rear suspension and a specific chassis set-up, with the M135i differentiated by a 10mm-lower ride height and (optional in Europe) Adaptive suspension with Variable Damper Control (VDC) comprising Comfort and Sport options via the Driving Experience Control switch.

As standard, the BMW M135i xDrive also scores a new mechanical Torsen limited-slip front differential integrated within its standard eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission with Launch Control, which offers the full 450Nm of torque in first and second gears.

Despite consuming 6.8-7.1L/100km and emitting 155-165g/km of CO2, the BMW M135i xDrive is claimed to hit 100km/h in 4.8 seconds, or 4.7 seconds with an optional M Performance package available from November production.

Also standard on the new BMW 1 Series flag bearer are M Sport steering and brakes, which will be optional on lesser models.

Currently, BMW’s 1.5-litre 118i opens the outgoing all-turbo 1 Series hatch range at $38,990 plus ORCs, and is topped by the $49,990 2.0-litre 125i and the $59,990 3.0-litre M140i Finale Edition, which appears likely to be BMW’s last rear-drive six-cylinder hot hatch.