Esthetically, the renewed Series 1 comes with a front marked by smooth lines, as well as LED headlights and a grille with more contained dimensions. In the rear, the redesigned taillights stand out, now very similar to those used by the X2.
In the cabin, the renewed BMW Series 1 is equipped with a 10.25” digital instrument panel and a 10.7” infotainment screen, both housed in a curved screen compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
BMW has eliminated many of the buttons on the dashboard and central console, allowing for a simpler look. As standard, all versions of the updated Series 1 feature a special Arktur anthracite interior, opting out of leather. Also noteworthy are optional features such as a head-up display, panoramic glass roof, and a Harman Kardon audio system.
There is also a wireless smartphone storage area in the central console, automatic dual-zone climate control, and ambient lighting. The rear seats can be folded in a 60:40 or 40:20:40 split, providing 380 liters of cargo capacity with the seats up and 1200 liters with the seats folded down.
The complete range of the revamped Series 1 is now composed of the 118d, 120d, 120, and M135 versions, although not all of these four versions reach all markets. The 120d is equipped with a four-cylinder 2.0-liter diesel engine that delivers 161 hp and 400 Nm of torque, while the petrol variant 120 comes with a three-cylinder 1.5-liter engine, which delivers 170 hp and 280 Nm of maximum torque. Both incorporate 48-volt mild-hybrid technology.
At the base of the range is the 118d, which features a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine, although it has been limited to 148 hp of power and 360 Nm of torque, allowing it to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.3 seconds.
At the top of the range is the M135 version, which like the petrol 120 has lost the “i” from the name, and is equipped with a 2.0-liter, turbocharged, four-cylinder engine with 300 hp and a torque of 400 Nm. This version accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds and is capable of reaching a top speed of 250 km/h.
All versions of the revamped Series 1 come factory-equipped with a seven-speed dual-clutch Steptronic automatic transmission, thus putting an end to the manual transmission that is no longer available for the Series 1.
