Bigger and cleaner than the model it replaces, the new BMW 1 Series is only hampered by its looks, writes PADDY COMYN
BMW’S 1 SERIES is likely to become a car that will increase in popularity over the coming years. With such massive demand for the 5 Series in its current form, there is perhaps the worry for BMW in Ireland that their next 3 Series, which we will drive later this year, will sit awkwardly in terms of pricing.
The 1 Series is, for now anyway, the entry point into the BMW range. For some, it is the graduation gown from years of Mini ownership. For others – up-and-coming 30-somethings, according to the firm – it is just the start of their long and illustrious life as BMW owners.
The last 1 Series is still selling relatively well. Initial figures suggest that globally it is finally going to see off the Audi A3 in terms of sales and that is before this new model arrives. When we first saw the pictures of this second-generation 1 Series, many commentators, this one included, winced a little at the sight of it. By transplanting what looked like much of the visage of the 5 Series onto a smaller car, it looked like a bit of a horror show. Are the results any better in the metal? Well, yes and no.
As is so often the case with the latest from Bavaria, the car looks much better in 3D than in a photograph. Yes, the car’s look is dominated by the new corporate face and aggressive snout, but the lights wrap around better than pictures suggest. The rear end is probably its weakest area from a design point of view though, with the rear three-quarters visually struggling to neatly package the extra space that customers asked for. Measuring in at 83mm longer, 14mm wider and with a 30mm longer wheelbase than the car it replaces, this is now a much more practical car. Rear seat passengers now get a much-needed 20mm extra legroom and at the back, there is an additional 30 litres of luggage space, which can expand to 1,200 litres with the seats folded flat.
Beauty, as always, is in the eye of the beholder, but what is cut and dry is that these cars are cleaner than before and come with a new engine line-up that will make them cheap to run and with a specification level that will make them more luxurious from the outset.
The engine line-up for Ireland consists of two petrol and three diesel engines. The range starts with a four-cylinder TwinPower 1.6-litre petrol engine that puts out 136bhp and 220Nm of torque and all with emissions of just 132g/km, meaning that you can pick petrol power without being penalised too much. The other petrol choice is the 118i, which is a 2.0-litre putting out 170bhp, yet still with emissions of just 137g/km. The diesel choices consist of the 116bhp 116d, 143bhp 118d, and the 184bhp 120d. Amazingly, all of these have emissions of less than 120g/km, putting them into motor tax band A.
All of the 1 Series are rear-wheel drive, and while this might not be the case in future models, for now this makes it a properly entertaining car to drive, and the wider track (51mm at the front, 71mm at the rear) makes the car feel more stable.
But if eco-driving is more your thing then there is a new Eco Pro function in the car, whereby the throttle response is adjusted to encourage a more economical driving style. The extra economy created is then fed back to the driver via in-car displays, showing the additional number of kilometres achieved.
The new interior is very good. It is quite driver focused and from SE specification upwards you get iDrive and all that it brings. The standard ES specification is okay, but best really ignored in favour of SE grade, which brings a freestanding high-resolution 6.5-inch flatscreen monitor and iDrive controller, Bluetooth hands-free facility with USB audio interface and a multifunction leather steering wheel with speed limiting function.
The car goes on sale in October priced at €26,790 for the 116i ES. The 116d ES starts from €27,560.
For more on the BMW 1 Series, check out The Irish Times Motors Blog at irishtimes.com/motors
FACTFILE 118 iSE
Engine2.0-litre petrol
Transmissionsix-speed manual gearbox, rear-wheel drive
Body stylefive-door hatchback
RivalsAudi A3, Alfa Romeo Giulietta
CO2emissions 137g/km (Band B €156)
Combined economy5.9 l/100km
Top speed225 km/h
0-100km/h7.5 seconds
Power170bhp at 4,800rpm
Torque250Nm at 1,500 – 5,000rpm
Pricemodel tested costs €30,560