The BMW 1 Series is a range of subcompact executive cars available since 2004. It is currently in its third generation of design and originally replaced the BMW 3 Series Compact.
BMW 1 Series Design and Introduction
The first-generational BMW 1 Series (E8x) was designed under the supervision of then-design director Chris Bangle. It was first unveiled at the 2002 Geneva Motor Show, with production following two years later. It was developed alongside of the E90 BMW 3 Series and shares many major components with it. The 1 Series E8x available in four different body styles: 3-door hatchback (E81), 5-door hatchback (E87), coupe (E82), and convertible (E88). In 2014, the coupe and convertible have switched over to the BMNW 2-series designation. A variety of engine options were available, concluding a naturally aspirated 4- or 6-cylinder gasoline engine, a 6-cylinder turbocharged gasoline engine, and a 4-cylinder turbodiesel engine. At its introduction, the 116i was the smallest version available with a 1.6L inline-4 engine producing 114 horsepower and 111 lb ft of torque. The 120i was the most powerful originally, with a 2.0L inline-4 engine producing 148 horsepower and 148 lb ft of torque.
2007 Changes and Available Options
Changes were made across the board, including a slightly exterior redesign and many engine upgrades, in 2007. At that time, the 130i and 135i were introduced, and the 135i’s 3.0L turbocharged inline-6 engine produced a respectable 302 horsepower and 295 lb ft of torque. In 2011, the BMW 1M Coupe was released, using a 3.0L N54 inline-6 turbochargers engine with 335 horsepower and 332 lb ft of torque. At its introduction, the BMW 1 Series had the longest wheelbase in its class, giving it the typical BMW driving ability in the subcompact model with a more affordable price tag. BMW balances the economy of the smallest vehicle in the lineup with the ability to add on a variety of premium options found in more expensive offerings. A 5-speed manual transmission was used in most first-generation 1 Series vehicles until 2006, when it was replaced with a 6-speed alternative, in both manual and automatic. A 7-speed Getrag dual-clutch transmission was available in some models after 2011.
Second Generation Updates
The second-generational BMW 1 Series (F20 & F21) was released in 2011. The coupe and convertible were now marketed as 2 Series BMWs, so only the 3- and 5-door hatchbacks remained as the BMW 1 Series offerings. This generational used a variety of 1.6L, 2.0L, and 3.0L engines, with the top M135i using a 3.0L inline-6 producing 315 horsepower and 332 lb ft of torque. A larger M140i came out in 2016, using a 3.0L inline-6 with 335 horsepower and 369 lb ft of torque. The interior was available in three trim levels, Sport Line, Urban Line, or M-Sport line with different wheels, grilles, and interior and exterior features. Satellite navigation on an 8.8-inch screen, iDrive, and LED headlights were available options. In 2015, the M135i won Sport Auto magazine’s Best Compact Car Up To €50,000.
Current Generation: Front Wheel Drive
The third and current generation of the BMW 1 Series (F40) was released in 2019. For the first time, the 1 Series is now available with front-wheel drive, compared to the rear-wheel drive that had been standard on all 1 Series prior to that. It is also available as an all-wheel drive version and has been since 2012. The F40 1 Series is only available as a 5-door hatchback. A 6-speed manual transmission is still standard on most 1 Series, with a 7-speed Getrag and an 8-speed Aisin automatic transmissions available as an option. Engine choices now include a 1.5L inline-3 turbocharged with up to 138 horsepower and 162 lb ft of torque and a 2.0L inline-4 turbocharged engine with up to 302 horsepower and 332 lb ft of torque in the M135i xDrive. 1.5L and 2.0L diesel engines are also available, with up to 188 horsepower and 295 lb ft of torque. The available trim levels include Advantage, Luxury, Sport, and M Sport. Driver assistance features, including collision detection and lane departure warning are standard on all European models, while an available voice-controlled iDrive system with two 10.25-inch displays is an option. A heads-up display projected to the windshield, automatic parking, and a panoramic sunroof are all available options, plus the 1 Series can be integrated with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The most recent 1 Series features more legroom and cargo area that previous generations with a somewhat respectable 380 liters of space in the trunk. For those big shopping days, the rear seats fold down to reveal a 1,200 liter cargo space.