Pole Position
With its sleek new look, the fourth generation BMW 1 Series is mightily impressive, writes Paul Agnew. Photography: Peter Austin
When vying for attention and acclaim in an over-crowded and ultra-competitive market you have to be very good. No, erase that – you have to be exceptional.
Additionally, the car-buying public in the premium compact segment is not short on choice. Consequently standards are high and demands even higher.
But BMW has never shirked a challenge and the ‘baby’ in its famous family – the big-selling 1 Series – has more than held its own for some time now.
Some say it is BMW’s best-ever motor and sales figures and popularity ratings would lend support to that view.
But to sit back and wallow is to run the risk of sliding into reverse, so please welcome the FOURTH generation of the BMW 1 Series – and stand by to be impressed.
This new generation covers all bases with a sportier appearance, more efficient engine, a hi-tech interior and genuine kerb appeal. Somehow you know at first glance that this is the real deal.
The visual and mechanical changes are significant, although the new look is clearly based on the predecessor.
Unmistakably a 1 Series, but you can’t help notice the sleeker and longer bonnet with swept-back LED headlights and the sharper, more angular surfacing. The roofline is dynamic and the kidney grille is now a smart, single, vented panel, comprising vertical and diagonal bars which also houses the sensors and radars for the Driver Assistance systems.
On the side, a notable change is the embossed number ‘1’ on the car’s C-pillar (end-section-of-back-door-alongside-rear-window in layman’s terms) incorporated within the iconic Hoffmeister kink.
Changes at the back are more subtle with revised LED light clusters and a fresh bumper design. Oh, and another super touch – the exhaust pipes are totally hidden (on the 120 model).
The standard LED headlights feature striking vertical elements for the daytime running light and the turn indicators. Adaptive LED headlights with glare-free matrix high beam, cornering light function and blue accents are optionally available.
Overall the new BMW 1 Series is longer and taller, but similar in width to before.
Moving inside and the first change of note is a hugely-impressive, single-piece curved infotainment display, made up of a 10.25-inch Information Display and a 10.7-inch Control Display.
Note also a striking but simplistic overall appearance – it’s almost as though some things are missing, which, of course, they’re not. This clean, uncluttered look is totally down to the very latest tech with QuickSelect on-screen shortcut functions paired up with BMW Operating System 9.
In short, that equates to far fewer buttons and switches and far more finger feely involvement with the touch screen.
The body paintwork of the new BMW 1 Series is available in two solid paintwork finishes and seven metallic finishes and it is the first model in the brand’s range to be available with an optional contrasting roof paint finish.
Standing proud on top of the range is the BMW M135 xDrive with impressive fuel consumption, low CO2 emissions, 300hp and significantly enhanced design characteristics – including four exhaust tailpipes, M kidney grille and M rear spoiler. The series also includes the 120 Sport and M Sport and the 123 M Sport xDrive and while there are differences (the M135 xDrive has 19-inch alloys as opposed to 17-inch for example) you cannot go wrong with any of the options.
Depending on your choice, you can get over 60mpg and the fastest model is capable of taking you from 0-62mph in under five seconds.
Completely leather-free as standard with space for up to five occupants, you get very comfy seats (heated as standard) and a wide range of electric adjustments, including memory on the driver’s side. Lumbar support and massage function can be added.
Automated driving and parking systems feature – Driving Assistant with front collision warning, Lane Departure Warning, Exit Warning and Traffic Sign Recognition, as well as the Parking Assistant with Reversing Assistant.
Also under the ‘standard’ headline is automatic air conditioning, electrically folding exterior mirrors and the BMW Live Cockpit Plus including the BMW Maps cloud-based navigation system.
The Innovation package includes BMW Live Cockpit Professional with BMW Head-Up Display and Augmented View on the Control Display as well as Parking Assistant Plus.
The Premium package adds telephone wireless charging, comfort access, logo projection from the exterior mirrors, automatic dimming interior mirror and adaptive LED headlights.
If you want two-zone automatic air conditioning then of course you can have it, along with a panoramic glass roof and a Harman Kardon sound system.
Unfortunately the space available here does not allow for a full list of the umpteen ‘modern tech bits’ everyone needs, so take it as read that there is smartphone integration with Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto et al.
The BMW 1 Series has always held pole position in its class and this latest generation is set to keep it that way.
Bowker Blackburn
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01254 274444
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