The new three-door BMW 1 Series

BMW Asia has announced the arrival of the sporty and elegant BMW 1 Series which now comes in a three-door edition. Available in Singapore in the BMW 118i M Sport variant, the new variant offers a powerful, brand-typical proportion that adds to its unique appearance thanks to its dynamically stretched side line, wide doors with frameless windows, and powerfully contoured side panels with particularly distinctive accentuation of the rear wheel arches.

OneShift Editorial Team

22 Feb 2013

The new three-door BMW 1 Series is immediately recognisable as a dynamic and athletic individualist in the premium compact segment. The long bonnet, the aft-set passenger compartment and short overhangs are typical design elements that make this vehicle a genuine BMW when viewed from any angle.

When compared with its predecessor, the new model offers more than good looks and improved performance and handling – there is even more interior space. This has been achieved by intelligently expanding the exterior dimensions and proportions of the new model. The length of the new three-door BMW 1 Series is 4,324 millimetres (85 millimetres longer than before), with a wheelbase of 2,690 millimetres (30 millimetres longer) and an overall width of 1,765 millimetres (17 millimetres wider) – the height is still 1,421 millimetres. Thus the track width has been extended (front: + 51 millimetres, rear: +72 millimetres), and there is more rear legroom (+21 millimetres) and a luggage compartment with a volume of 360 litres (30 litres more than in the predecessor model).

The design of the spacious interior is sporty and functional, just perfect for sheer driving pleasure. The instrument panel, centre console and door panels reflect the layering concept that dominates the look and feel of the interior. These component sections overlap to create the impression of a holistic and organic structure comprised of matching individual modules.

The 360-litre luggage compartment can be expanded up to 1,200 litres by folding down the 60: 40 split rear seat back-rests. With through-loading system as standard, the rear backrest can be folded down in a 40: 20: 40 configuration.

The 1.6-litre petrol engine found in the BMW 118i is driven by BMW TwinPower Turbo technology, consisting of a twin-scroll turbocharger, High Precision Injection, VALVETRONIC and Double-VANOS. Output is also boosted by VALVETRONIC variable valve control, which is fully integrated into the cylinder head, and Double-VANOS variable camshaft control on the intake and exhaust sides.

The four-cylinder engine of the new BMW 118i, which has an all-aluminium crankcase, has a maximum output of 170 hp at 4,800 rpm, and a maximum torque of 250 Nm at between 1,500 and 4,500 rpm, accelerating the car from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.2 seconds and on to a maximum speed of 222 km/h.

Advanced suspension technology, which includes a double-joint spring-strut front axle with stabilisers and a five-arm rear axle, in conjunction with the precise electromechanical power steering and the significantly wider track in comparison to the previous model, ensures sporty agility and excellent ride comfort in exactly the right proportions.

The standard Dynamic Stability Control system DSC includes the anti-lock braking system (ABS), the Dynamic Traction Control system (DTC), the Cornering Brake Control system (CBC) and the Dynamic Brake Control system (DBC). These capabilities are now complemented by additional features such as the Brake Assistant, Fading Compensation, Dry Braking functionality and a Hill Start Assistant.

The standard Driving Experience Control button located on the centre console allows the driver to select an individual level of tuning for the vehicle. In addition to the engine characteristics and the Driving Stability Control system DSC, the characteristics of the Servotronic system and the shift program as well as the shift dynamics of the optional automatic transmission can also be finely tuned. Complementing the COMFORT, SPORT and SPORT + modes, the ECO PRO mode is also available as standard, in conjunction with the eight-speed automatic sports transmission, the Variable Sports Steering or the BMW Sport Line.

The new three-door BMW 1 Series comes equipped with a multifunctional steering wheel, 18-inch M light alloy wheels, M Sport brake, M Sport suspension, M leather steering wheel, M Aerodynamics package, and Comfort Access system that automatically locks and unlocks the vehicle, just to name a few.

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