Test Drive – The new BMW 1 Series

With a dynamic design presence, a completely revised drive portfolio and extensively improved chassis technology, the new BMW 1 Series has sharpened its profile in its fourth iteration, and exudes the confidence of the sportiest vehicle in the competitive environment.

The new highly efficient engines and a production process designed to conserve resources and prioritise recycled materials are a step towards a sustainable automotive product life cycle.

Business Tech Africa got to test drive the sporty new comer and experience first hand an extended range of automated driving and parking systems, built into the new BMW iDrive with QuickSelect and innovative digital services based on BMW Operating System 9.

Exterior design: Dynamic front end and hallmark BMW proportions.

The BMW 1 Series sports a long, sleek bonnet, with a dynamically flowing roofline and a powerful rear end.

The design is in line with the aggressive front end that sits significantly lower to the road than its predecessor. The wide, forward-leaning BMW radiator grille features an innovative structure of vertical and diagonal bars. 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.

The side view of the new BMW 1 Series is characterised by the dynamic wedge shape and the flat window graphics that taper towards the rear. The standard BMW Individual high-gloss Shadow Line includes a graphic element with the number 1 in the Hofmeister kink counter-swing on the C-pillar.

A long roof spoiler and side air deflectors emphasise the stretched silhouette. Vertical reflectors and a black diffuser-style insert add to the powerful appearance of the rear apron. The striking, two-part rear lights extend well into the side sections.

The body paintwork of the new BMW 1 Series is available in two solid paintwork finishes and seven metallic finishes. Four BMW Individual paint finishes and a wide range of BMW Individual special paint finishes are also available. The new BMW 1 Series is the first model in the brand’s range to be available with an optional contrasting roof paint finish.

Enhanced Performance

At the top of the model range is the BMW M135 xDrive with significantly enhanced performance characteristics. The BMW M model is powered by a 233 kW four-cylinder engine and features an Adaptive M Chassis with sport steering and intelligent all-wheel drive as standard, and accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds. On the outside, the M radiator grille with horizontal bars, M exterior mirror caps and four exhaust tailpipes make it instantly recognisable as a top-of-the-range model. 

Sporty premium ambience, leather-free interior.

The newly designed interior of the new BMW 1 Series, which is completely leather-free as standard, offers a modern premium ambience with sporty accents and generous space for up to five occupants.

Heated seats and a wide range of electric adjustments, including memory on the driver’s side, are available as options for all seat versions. Lumbar support can be added to the sport seats and the M sport seats. A driver and front passenger interaction airbag is now fitted as standard to further enhance occupant protection. By folding down the rear seat backrests, the storage space under the tailgate can be increased from 380 litres to 1,200 litres.

The fully digital display system comprises a 10.25-inch Information Display and a 10.7-inch Control Display. The number of buttons and controls in the cockpit has been significantly reduced thanks to the consistent use of digital technology.

The air conditioning in the new BMW 1 Series is also controlled digitally. As an alternative to the standard sport steering wheel, a similarly redesigned M leather steering wheel is also available. It is part of the M Sport Package and has shift paddles for manual gear changes.

New generation of engines, 7-speed Steptronic transmission with dual clutch as standard.

Like the BMW M135 xDrive engine, all of the other engines available for the new BMW 1 Series are part of the latest generation of modular engines from the BMW Group. In South Africa, the model lineup at launch will comprise the three-cylinder BMW 118 and the BMW M 135 xDrive, with the BMW 120 following in 2025. All of the drive units transmit their power to a 7-speed Steptronic transmission with dual clutch as standard.

Improved body rigidity and further development of the chassis.

The agility, steering precision and cornering dynamics of the new BMW 1 Series benefit from the increased rigidity of the body structure and the chassis connection. Advanced chassis technology includes optimised kinematics, highly preloaded anti-roll bar mounts and new shock absorber technology. The caster of the front wheels has been increased by 20 per cent, ensuring particularly stable directional stability and optimised steering feedback.

In addition to the directly controlled wheel slip limitation, the new BMW 1 Series also features an integrated braking system and 17-inch light-alloy wheels (BMW M135 xDrive: 18-inch) as standard. The optional M Sport Package includes the Adaptive M Chassis, which lowers the vehicle by up to 8 millimetres, sport steering and 18-inch light-alloy wheels. Up to 19-inch light-alloy wheels and an M sport brake system are also available as optional equipment.

State-of-the-art systems for automated driving and parking.

The new BMW 1 Series offers a significantly extended range of automated driving and parking systems as standard or optional equipment. These features include the Driving Assistant with front collision warning, Lane Departure Warning, Exit Warning and Traffic Sign Recognition, as well as the Parking Assistant with Reversing Assistant.

Highlights of the optional range include Steering and Lane Control Assist, Automatic Speed Limit Assist and route guidance when using Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go function. 

Expanded standard equipment, targeted individualisation.

In addition to the high-quality assistance systems, the significantly expanded range of standard equipment of the new BMW 1 Series also includes automatic air conditioning, alarm system, electrically folding exterior mirrors and the BMW Live Cockpit Plus including the BMW Maps cloud-based navigation system. New optional equipment packages allow targeted individualisation.

BMW Operating System 9, BMW iDrive with QuickSelect and BMW Digital Premium.

The new BMW 1 Series features the latest version of BMW iDrive with QuickSelect for intuitive and convenient operation of the vehicle’s functions. The new home screen shows function icons vertically arranged on the same level. “QuickSelect” allows direct access to functions without having to switch to a submenu.

The new BMW iDrive is consistently designed for touch operation and voice control. It is based on the BMW Operating System 9, which also provides the basis for a highly individual selection of additional digital services. Remote software upgrades allow new and improved vehicle functions to be integrated into the vehicle over-the-air.

Smartphone integration with Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ is available as standard in the new BMW 1 Series. BMW ID and My BMW App offer a convenient way to personalise the user experience in the new BMW 1 Series. The BMW Digital Key Plus with ultra-wideband wireless technology for compatible smartphones with iOS or Android operating systems and the Apple Watch can also be optionally set up via the My BMW App.