The competition on the premium hatchback segment in Malaysia has notched a level higher with the recent launches of Volvo’s V40, Audi A1 and Mercedes A class, selling at an competitive price below RM200,000. Now BMW has joined the fray with the recent new launch of the new 1 Series hatchback. Offered in 5 trims, the new BMW 1 series was competitively priced from RM179,000 to RM253,000. The model range starts with the base 116i, followed by the 118i Sport and Urban trims and the fully imported 125i Sports and M Sports trim.
What separates the new 1 series with competitors, apart of the signature kidney grills, is that the new 1 Series is the only premium hatchback on the market with rear wheel drive configuration. Standard for the new 1 Series including 8 speed automatic transmission, BMW’s ConnectDrive, XENON headlights, and a new four cylinder engines featuring BMW TwinPower Turbo technology and BMW EffiicientDynamics. While all trims will be powered by BMW’s 1.6L petrol turbocharged engine, the base 116i has been tuned up to 136HP with 220Nm torque, offering efficient and economical driving with adequate performance. The 118i trims will be tuned to 170HP and 250Nm torque.
The 125i trims will be the most powerful offered with 218HP with 310Nm torque. 17 inch rims were offered as standard in exception for the 125i trims which were given 18 inch rims . The M sports suspension is offered for 125i M sports only, although buyers of the other trims can have the option to upgrade to the BMW M Performance package. The new 1 series has been engineered to have 50/50 weight distribution which is distinguished for balanced driving, something the Bavarian auto maker is familiar of.
Colors options available for the BMW 116i and BMW 118i Sport are include Alpine White, Mineral Grey, Black Sapphire, Glacier Silver and Crimson Red. For the BMW 118i Urban, additional colors are Midnight Blue and Sparkling Bronze. For the BMW 125i Sport and BMW 125i M Sport, colors available are Alpine White, Mineral Grey, Glacier Silver and Crimson Red. Meanwhile, Estoril Blue is an exclusive color addition for the BMW 125i M Sport. The pricing (excluding insurance) for the BMW 1 series as below, and exception for the 125i and 125 M Sports, all of them are locally assembled.
BMW 116i – RM 170,800.00
BMW 118i Sport – RM 190,800.00
BMW 118i Urban – RM 190,800.00
BMW 125i Sport – RM 238,800.00
BMW 125i M Sport – RM 253,800.00
The new 1 Series should propels BMW to take some pie on the competitive premium hatchback segment and there no reasons the new 1 Series not to do well given the competitive pricing.
Unless if you can’t afford any of these models, consider the cheaper alternative here
