BMW Refined new 1 Series

BMW has kicked off 2015 with a first look at the facelifted 1 Series, sporting a reprofiled nose, updated rear, and a brace of more efficient diesel engines, including the introduction of a new three-cylinder 1.5-litre unit that emits CO2 at the rate of just 89g/km in EfficientDynamics Plus guise, while achieving 83.1mpg on the combined cycle.

The most dramatic change is at the rear of the car, where the new 1 Series adopts the L-shaped LED tail lights to bring it closer to other models in the line-up. At the front, there’s a new bumper and grille, with larger air intakes, as well as reprofiled headlights that offer LED technology as an optional extra for the first time. Inside, there’s improved fabrics and materials, and extra chrome trim for the air vent surrounds.

But it’s in the engine bay that BMW engineers have made the most changes, with the entry-level 116d and 116d Efficient Dynamics Plus models adopting the new 114bhp 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine that was first seen in the MINI Hatch. And while the power output may be exactly the same as before, there’s 7lb ft of extra torque, and CO2 emissions drop down to 94g/km on manual 116d variants, and 96g/km when equipped with the eightspeed automatic transmission. An improvement by 15 and 17g/km, respectively, BMW claim that these new versions manage 78.5mpg on the combined economy cycle, compared to 68.9mpg before. But it’s the EfficientDynamics Plus version that is the star of the show, emitting just 89g/km of CO2 and the ability to achieve 83.1mpg in optimum conditions. Compared to the outgoing EfficientDynamics model, that’s an improvement of 10g/km and 8.8mpg. All engines now meet the latest Euro 6 emissions regulations, and 148bhp 118d and 188bhp 120d versions adopt the latest iterations of their engines, that were first seen on the 2 Series Active Tourer. The fourwheel-drive 120d xDrive model is exclusively paired to the eightspeed automatic transmission this time around, and the flagship twin-turbocharged 125d has been uprated to produce 221bhp and 332lb ft of torque.

The new diesel engine line-up has been right sized in blocks of 500cc per cylinder. Weight saving construction includes the use of aluminium for the crankcase and cylinder head, new low weight pistons, and a low friction coating for the cylinder walls. The common-rail injection system has been further honed, with the new solenoid valve injectors producing 2,500 bar of pressure. Thermodynamic performance has been optimised and work has been done to reduce engine noise, too. Improved sealing between the headlights and bonnet help to further optimise the air flow, while EfficientDynamics Plus models also include active air flap control, which closes the grille to allow the car to get up to operating temperature more quickly, and closely monitors air flow for the most efficient way of running the engine.

The revised 1 Series is offered with either three- or five-doors and the choice of trim levels has been simplified compared to the previous generation car, with just SE, Sport and M Sport editions on offer. Prices start at £21,710 for the 116d SE three-door, an £880 hike in cost compared to the outgoing model, but because the number of variants has been slashed with the introduction of the new car, the cost of entry into 1 Series diesel ownership has risen from £19,410 in the old car to £21,710, a hefty increase of £2,300. The new line-up is available to order now, with the first examples arriving in BMW showrooms at the end of March.