Thabiso Malimela
BMW’s 1-series has always been the outlier in the executive C-segment hatchback segment – it came with rear-driven wheels, had a relatively long bonnet and rear space always left much to be desired, both points alluding to the point of the 1-series’ rear-wheel drive configuration. So when BMW announced that their new F40 1-series would share its platform with the 2-series Active Tourer (a quintessentially front-wheel drive car), very little hope was left for anyone who was a fan of the oddball drivetrain in this segment.
Well, now that BMW has officially unveiled the 1-series hatchback, we can confirm that the new car has its front wheels driven rather than its rears. To be honest, though, I don’t think this will be a deal breaker for anyone who even remotely likes this car – in fact, I don’t think the majority of current 1-series owners are aware that their car is rear-wheel drive…or even care. Well now that we’ve dealt with the elephant in the room, let’s go on to see what other interesting things you can expect from the brand new F40 BMW 1-series.
More Space All-Round
The biggest criticism about the outgoing model was its general lack of space when compared to its competitors such as the Audi A3 and Mercedes A-Class. The at-a-premium space was limited by its unique drivetrain (longitudinally mounted engine and gearbox, propshaft running down the middle and then meeting differential gear and driveshafts at the rear). However, since the new front-wheel drive setup is introduced, the new 1-series comes in with 33 mm more kneeroom even though the wheelbase is shortened by 20 mm and the car by 5 mm altogether. The new 1-series is now wider by 34 mm and its 13 mm height increment means that there is 19 mm more headroom – great news if you (still) have a tall mohawk!
The boot, which now features an electric tailgate, has a 67 mm wider entrance and grows by 20 litres relative to the outgoing model (word has it that it achieved that by doing squats). In fact, at 380 litres, the new 1-series boot is bigger than the one found in the new Mercedes A-Class. So if you like a big booty, the 1-series is the perfect car for you!
It Now Looks Like A Hatchback
When looking at the outgoing model, you’d be forgiven for confusing it for a small station wagon, which isn’t a bad thing at all. In fact, the long bonnet and low roof design is something that has always made the 1-series stand out among sit-up-and-beg hatchbacks in its segment. This time, however, the transverse engine layout (engine mounted sideways due to the front-wheel drive setup) means that the bonnet can now be shorter, with more portion of the wheelbase being given to the car’s interior. The roof slopes neatly toward the flat back-end and while new, this look can’t be said to have ruined this car’s styling – 10 extra points for the designers at BMW!
Also on the topic of styling, the double kidney grille is now enlarged (akin to BMWs of new) and meets in the middle – imagine if your nostrils merged into one big nostril, except it doesn’t look weird at all. The headlights are now angled, sport an L-shaped daytime running light design and feature adaptive LEDs as an option while the rear lights also are optionally available with LEDs. You’ll have an option to choose between a range of wheels going from 16-inch and all the way to 19-inch while the standard 1-series model receives a single 90 mm exhaust tip – that’s a large tip!
Luxurious Interior Not Lacking In Gadgets
For the first time ever in a BMW 1-series, expect to find an electric panoramic sunroof as an option to give occupants an impression of a more airy cabin. You will also find a wireless charging pad on the centre console and some ambient lighting strips on the door panels that make one feel like they’re in a relatively more expensive car. A conspicuous infotainment touchscreen (available in 8.8-inch or 10.25-inch) makes itself seen above an assortment of climate control buttons. This touchscreen can be operated via BMW’s iDrive rotary controller or using gesture control on the 10.25-inch variant – or you can just touch it, just saying.
The infotainment system, which uses BMW Operating System 7.0 (creative naming there!) on the 10.25-inch display and 6.0 on the smaller unit, also features the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant. This Apple Siri-esque feature is activated by saying “Hey BMW” and allows you to control various functions of the car such as the climate control using voice commands. So, if you say “Hey BMW, I’m tired”, it will turn up the air-conditioning, increase the music volume and brighten the ambient lighting – basically everything an annoying passenger would do, but only now it’s all those things at once. You will also have an option to upgrade the 5.1-inch analogue instrument cluster to a now fully digital 10.25-inch screen with a hexagonal speedometer and rev counter.
Only 2 Engines For South Africa…For Now
At its launch later on in the 3rd quarter of 2019, the BMW 1-series will arrive with only 2 engine options across 2 models. The more timid 118i features a 1.5 litre 3-cylinder turbo petrol-burner conjuring up 103 kW and 220 N.m of torque, going through a 6-speed manual or 7-speed dual clutch transmission before reaching the front wheels. This “cooking model” does the obligatory 0-100 km/h sprint in 8.5 seconds before reaching a top speed of 213 km/h. A claimed fuel consumption between 5.7 and 5.0 litres per 100 km is to be expected from this frugal powerplant.
Image Credit(s): www.motor1.com
Topping of the list of engine options (as short as it is) is the 2.0 litre 4-cylinder turbopetrol powerhouse producing 225 kW and 450 N.m of torque. An Aisin-built 8-speed automatic gearbox finds its way onto cars with this engine and is mated to BMW’s xDrive all-wheel drive system which is essentially front-wheel drive until the front wheels call for help, at which point up to 50% of torque can be then sent to the rear wheels for improved traction.
This all-wheel drive system features a mechanical differential which forms part of a system BMW calls Contiguous Wheel-Slip Limitation, which is a fancy way of saying it minimises wheel slip for maximum acceleration coming out of corners. The 2.0 litre powerplant has a claimed fuel consumption figure between 7.1 and 6.8 litres per 100 km – this figure will definitely experience an exponential jump if you explore all 225 of those kilowatts.
Sporty Handling Across All Models
Now that the 1-series is front-wheel drive, that doesn’t mean that BMW has abandoned all efforts of making this a competent handling machine – fun fact: BMW makes Minis too and those are known to handle pretty well, so…. In fact, BMW has gone to lengths to make sure that the 1-series possesses a sporty handling characteristic that its competitors just don’t. The aforementioned xDrive system will definitely play a huge role in ensuring that all-wheel drive 1-series models handle like a panicked cockroach. However, on the regular front-wheel drive models on which xDrive is absent, an electronic stability program that brakes individual wheels and thus simulates the actions of a differential will make sure to keep understeer at a minimal.
While there is a standard suspension, which will be happier on our less-than-silky smooth South African roads, there is also an optional M suspension which is stiffer and 10 mm lower than the standard setup. An Adaptive M suspension upgrade is also available only on 18-inch wheel models and provides with the liberties of choosing and switching between a soft ride or a more taut one.
A Potential Cheat Code For Driving Tests
For anyone whose done a driving test, reversing (during alley docking and parallel parking) can be one of the most nerve wrecking experiences during the test due to how tricky the car generally is to control while going backwards – massive respect to forklift operators! Well, using BMW’s Innovative Reversing Assistant, you can reduced this reverse parking anxiety. This driving function remembers your steering inputs from your most recent 50 meters and plays them in reverse when reversing out while you only operate the pedals. So, it’s like how they shot the music video of Coldplay’s “The Scientist”, and just like the song, this parking feature will see you out of a “sticky” situation.
M Performance Bits To Get Your Bits Excited
The purpose of M Performance adornments is to improve on the aesthetics of the BMW model it’s applied to while also sometimes working on the functional elements of the car which decrease weight and improve the car’s aerodynamics. On the 1-series’ M Performance catalogue, expect to find bits such as a front splitter, a horizontal flow rear spoiler, vortex generators on the front and side sill – all in high gloss black. A new rear diffuser and mirror caps receive the carbon fibre treatment and there is a matte black decal on the car’s side with subtle M Performance text to show people that you like to go hard…sometimes.
On this catalogue, you will also find M Performance brakes which swop out the regular brakes and replace them with 4-piston red brake callipers and perforated brake discs in the front and a single piston in the rear. Also expect an option of lightweight forged wheels between 18-inch and 19-inch in size. On the inside, the M Performance steering wheel introduces Alcantara grips and thicker thumb rests for a more race car feel and carbon fibre shift paddles are also available to spec with this mostly ostentatious but very much appropriate list of options.
M135i xDrive
Topping the range of the 1-series line-up (at least for now) is the M135i xDrive which goes up against the likes of Audi’s S3 and Mercedes-AMG’s A35. So what do you need to go toe-to-toe with cars that have a 2.0 litre turbocharged 4-clinder engine with all-wheel drive? The M135i xDrive receives BMW’s 2.0 litre 4-cylinder powerplant along with the aforementioned xDrive all-wheel drive system. This combination culminates to a 0-100 km/h sprint time of 4.8 seconds and a 250 km/h top speed (you’ll be forgiven for suspecting that this figure is electronically capped because it probably is).
Image Credit(s): www.motor1.com 
Image Credit(s): www.motor1.com 
Image Credit(s): www.motor1.com
Visually, the M135i receives a mesh-style double kidney grille (instead of the vertical-style fins) and is outlined by a brushed metal-looking material. You will also find some silver mirror caps which feature vortex generators to reduce wind noise and two 100 mm exhaust tips to increase noise. In fact, the left exhaust tip features a valve which opens up if you want your arrival to be accompanied by a mechanical soundtrack of petrol being turned into noise (see vrr pha). Also unique to the M135i is a swooping rear spoiler and a specific front bumper design.
The M135i is available as standard with 18-inch wheels, but you can always upgrade these to 19-inch if the mood takes you in that direction. However, if you do end up picking the M135i xDrive, I recommend consulting the M Performance catalogue for a full fat experience.
Inside the range-topping 1-series are some M-Sport seats with integrated head rests and more pronounced bolstering for increased support for when the laws of physics take course during enthused cornering. These sports seats are covered in alcantara leather while there is a fabric insert running down where your spine would be. There is also ambient lighting on the passenger’s side of the dashboard and the regular steering wheel is tossed out in favour of a 3-spoke M-Sport steering wheel which features a thicker rim, aluminium inserts and an M logo at the six o’clock position.
Although there is no word on pricing yet, expect the new BMW 1-series to come in at a price a smudge higher than that of the Mercedes A-Class and Audi A3. However, all will be revealed at its launch later on in the 3rd quarter this year so do keep your eyes peeled for this new and exciting offering from BMW (I say new because we’ll definitely miss the rear-wheel setup and long bonnet of the outgoing car. And exciting because, well, who doesn’t like a good looking hatch?)
