Fresh BMW 1 Series to battle A-Class, A3

BMW Australia hopes more standard equipment, upgraded engines and an Australian-influenced design update will help arrest a near-20 per cent sales slide so far this year for its smallest model, the 1 Series hatchback.

According to BMW Group Australia Product and Market Planning Manager, Shawn Ticehurst, the facelifted 1 Series will be a more compelling rival for popular small luxury cars like the Audi A3 and Mercedes-Benz A-Class, which account for a respective 28 and 25 per cent of the segment so far this year, while the old 1 Series' share was less than 11 per cent.

"We know in this segment we've got a lot of ground to catch up," he admitted. "We acknowledge that we've got a gap to fill. We're planning to grow and we want a richer mix of model sales."

To that end, the major midlife makeover of the second (F20) generation model, first revealed in January in mainstream and M135i hot hatch form and released in Europe in March, scores brings better value and a renamed model range.

As revealed a week ago, 1 Series pricing continues to start at $36,900 plus on-road costs ($1000 more than the base A3 and A-Class) for what is now the 118i (previously 116i).

The different name designation also reflects the increased standard specification of the base model, which will be shared with the 118d diesel variant ($40,300 plus ORCs – down $2700).

The previous 118i is now known as the 120i and now costs $41,900 plus ORCs (also down $2700), while the 125i is now priced at $48,900 plus ORCs (up $900) and the flagship M135i is now $62,900 (down $2030).

The 118i, 120i, 125i and M135i are now on sale, while the 118d arrives next month and the entry-level 118i will swap its four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine for the three-cylinder turbo-petrol from the 2 Series Active Tourer and MINI Cooper in the fourth quarter of this year.

Both the 118i and 118d gain Sport Line trim and a reversing camera as standard, along with an eight-speed automatic transmission, Sport steering wheel, automatic climate-control, automatic 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.

There are no changes to the 100kW/220Nm 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine in the 118i (nee 116i), which will be replaced by a 1.5-litre turbo-triple with similar outputs, meaning combined fuel consumption remains 5.6L/100km and claimed 0-100km/h acceleration still takes 8.7 seconds.

The 2.0-litre turbo-diesel four in the 118d, however, now boasts an extra 5kW (now 110kW/320Nm), consumes 3.8L/100km and hits 100km/h in 8.1 sec.

The previous 118i is now known as the 120i and also boasts more standard equipment. Additional features over the 118 twins includes 17-inch alloys, interior mirror with anti-dazzle, fog lights, extended climate-control, interior lights package, storage package, extended Smartphone connectivity, Sensatec upholstery, Driving Assistant and extended instrument cluster.

The renamed 120i also packs an extra 5kW from its 1.6-litre turbo-petrol four (now 130kW/250Nm), consumes 5.7L/100km and hits 100km/h in 7.2 sec.

Moving up to the 125i now brings 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.

The 125i continues to be powered by a 160kW/310Nm 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four that consumes 6.5L/100km and hits 100kmh in 6.2 sec.

Topping the range is the M135i, which for less money than before (but $1800 more than the Audi S3) now adds Adaptive M suspension, adaptive LED headlights, Professional sat-nav, DAB+ digital radio, HiFi loudspeaker system, leather trim and 18-inch M alloys.

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 4.9 sec.

While changes are minor inside, Sydney-born designer Calvin Luk was in charge of the exterior refresh <<<<< news/2015/prestige-and-luxury/bmw/bmws-aussie-connection-49905 >>>>>, which is said to be the most comprehensive mid-cycle facelift in BMW’s recent history.

External cosmetic updates include a new front bumper with larger air intakes, a more pronounced grille and LED raytime running lights for the first time, plus slimmer headlights and new two-piece L-shaped LED tail-lights.

Globally, BMW has sold more than two million 1 Series models since 2004 (including coupe versions first released in 2007 and convertibles from 2008) and nearly 600,000 of the second generation since 2011 (excluding two-door models, which now wear the 2 Series badge), including almost 8000 in Australia.

2015 BMW 1 Series pricing (plus ORCs):
118i (a) -- $36,900
118d (a) -- $40,300
120i (a) -- $41,900
125i (a) -- $48,900
M135i (a) -- $62,900