The all-new fourth-generation BMW 1 Series has just made its debut. Globally, it is available in a total of four variants, with two petrol and two diesel options.
Variants offered with the all-new F70 BMW 1 Series are namely the BMW 120, M135 xDrive, 118d, and the 120d. Notice the lack of the letter “i” behind the names of the petrol-powered models? No, this isn’t a typo, as BMW has officially removed it from the all-new 1 Series. The letter “d” continues to live on with the diesel models though.
On the outside, the all-new F70 BMW 1 Series looks, well, different from its predecessor. Up front, it has adopted the beaver-like design like many of its other siblings in BMW’s lineup. Making up its face is the large and wide BMW radiator grille, along with new sharp-looking LED headlights which house the latest BMW LED daytime running light (DRL) signature.
At its side, the all-new BMW 1 Series is fitted as standard with BMW Individual high-gloss Shadow Line finishing. It also comes with a graphic element with the number 1 in the Hofmeister kink counter-swing on the C-pillar.
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Round the back, the all-new F70 BMW 1 Series looks more rounded than before. It comes with a pair of all-new LED taillights that feature a set of “7-shaped” graphics, similar to the ones found in the latest iX2 SUV. Contributing to the top-spec M135 xDrive’s sporty looks are the M radiator grille with horizontal bars, M exterior mirror caps, and four exhaust tailpipes.
Powering the entry-level BMW 120 is a 1.5-litre 3-cylinder TwinPower turbo engine that comes with 48V mild hybrid assistance. Paired with a 7-speed Steptronic dual-clutch transmission, which is also featured across all variants of the all-new BMW 1 Series, its system output is rated at 170 hp and 280 Nm. Speaking of transmission options, the manual gearbox has been dropped from the new BMW hatch altogether.
The BMW M135 xDrive gets a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder TwinPower turbo engine that makes 300 hp and 400 Nm. Power is sent to all four wheels, enabling the hot hatch to perform the century sprint in just 4.9 seconds and achieve a top speed of 250 km/h.
Both the BMW 118d and 120d are powered by a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder TwinPower turbodiesel engine. The 120d does get 48V mild hybrid assistance though. Power output is rated at 163 hp and 360 Nm with the former, while the latter makes slightly more at 163 hp and 400 Nm.
Moving inside the all-new BMW 1 Series, you will find a completely revamped interior, as compared to the older model. The new interior is also claimed to be fully vegan, featuring no real leather at all.
It now gets the BMW iDrive 9 infotainment system that features twin floating screens, consisting of a 10.25-inch digital instrument display and a 10.7-inch touchscreen central display. Like with many modern vehicles’ interiors, BMW has removed many of the buttons from the all-new 1 Series in the name of minimalism, including the iDrive rotary knob. In fact, the traditional gear lever has been deleted in place of the tiny gear selector. The BMW M135 xDrive does get paddle shifters as standard, as well as M Sport seats though.
Closer to home, the older third-generation BMW 1 Series is offered in a sole variant only, namely the M135i xDrive. It is priced at RM361,320 and is powered by a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged engine that makes 306 hp and 450 Nm. Paired with an 8-speed Steptronic automatic, power is sent to all four wheels.
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