BMW sharpens up the style in its new 1 Series

BMW has at last banished the cross-eyed styling of the 1 Series for a much cleaner and sharper look, inspired by the closely related 2 Series Coupe. The new 1 Series gets an entirely different front end, as well as tweaks to the lights and styling at the rear.

Under the skin there are much more significant changes: the 1 Series is the first rear-wheel-drive BMW to get the new three-cylinder petrol and diesel engines. These engines have already been seen in the current Mini range. The headline performer is the 116d Efficient Dynamics, which uses the 1.5-litre diesel engine with 115hp to emit just 89g/km of CO2 when fitted with a manual gearbox.

The existing 118d and 120d continue to use the same basic 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, but their emissions have fallen to 99g/km and 103g/km respectively. Both can now be had with the option of four- wheel-drive, badged xDrive.

Full LED setup

Petrol-lovers can choose from a three-cylinder turbo 116i with 110hp, or a four-cylinder 118i with 135hp and 125g/km. 120i and 125i versions will also be available but if it’s power you want then you need to upgrade to the M135i with its 322hp and 4.9sec 0-100kmh time.

Those new lights mean that all 1 Series models will now come with daytime running lights while the top-spec models will get full LED setups. Interior changes are very minor: some new dials and that addition of climate control as standard across the range. Prices will go up, when they're announced, but only by a very small amount, according to BMW. The new 1 Series will get a full public premiere at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show.