BMW had unveiled the 2020 BMW 1 Series, which will reportedly come with important technological developments, design changes and a hot sporty hatch - the M135i. All these changes will allow the 1 series to compete with the Audi A3, Volkswagen Golf and Mercedes A-Class.
The 2020 BMW 1 Series comes with a new set of proportions. It has already been seen in spy photos, so it was expected that the new model is smaller in length and wheelbase than the second generation, but it grows generously in width and somewhat in height. The previous generation has a length of 4.324 mm, while the new version only has 4.319 mm. The width of the old one is at 1,765 mm with a height of 1,421 mm, while the new one grows to 1,799 mm for width and 1,434 mm in height.
One of the characteristic features of the Series 1 was its long hood, a condition inherited from the traction platform to the rear axle of the old Series 3, and with the rear compartment, these two qualities are not in the present in the new BMW 1 series giving the new model more balanced proportions.
What's great about the BMW 1 Series 2020 is that the result of the new proportions doesn't lessen the space inside. In fact, the new model has also reduced the volume of the transmission tunnel, giving more space for passengers in the rear seats, with 33 mm more for the legs, 19 mm more in the headroom with panoramic roof, and 13 millimeters more in the space between elbows. The volume of the trunk also increase a little and is now at 20 liters with a width of 67 millimeters.
The 2020 BMW 1 Series will also be lighter and thus faster. Thanks to its new architecture known as FAAR, it allows the 1 Series to be 30 kilograms lighter than its predecessor.because of its intelligent use of aluminum in the hood or the trunk lid, while the chassis is made of high-strength steel.
BMW made sure that the new BMW 1 Series will come packed with technological advancement. It now has a control panel with a classic analog watch, a 5.1-inch driver information screen, and a 10.25-inch digital display infotainment system. In addition, the new Series 1 premieres a new concept of decoration and ambient light with integrated moldings on the dashboard and a system of LEDs that offer different colors in a zenith aspect, associated to the mood of the passengers.
The new Series 1 also launched an intelligent personal assistant in which the driver can do voice command to select a comfort function and activate the air conditioning, change the temperature, pick the ambient light and more. It also has an optional "Head-Up Display" occupying a surface of 9.2 inches showing speed, limits, signs, prohibitions of overtaking, warnings of assistance systems, route guidance or warning of safety distance.
The 2020 BMW 1 Series is powered by three or four-cylinder engines with an initial range of three diesel engines and two gasoline engines. The range starts with the BMW 118i with a 3-cylinder engine and 1.5 liters and 140 HP (4 more than in the current model). Accelerates from 0 to 100 km / h. in 8.5 seconds, it reaches a maximum speed of 213 km / h, and consumes between 5 and 5.7 l / 100 km.
The diesel range includes two versions of the 1.5 three-cylinder (116d of 116 hp and 118d with 150 hp, in both cases with consumptions between 3.8 and 4.4 liters) and a variety of four cylinders, the 120d with a power of 190 HP that accelerates in 7 seconds, reaches a top speed of 230 km / h, and consumes between 4.5 and 4.7 l / 100 km.
In the BMW 116d, 118d and 118i, a six-speed manual gearbox is offered as standard. For the 116d and 118i, you can optionally opt for an automatic double-clutch transmission and seven staves while the BMW 120d xDrive and the M 135i XDrive have an eight-speed automatic transmission (optional on the 118d.
At the other end of the range, the M135i xDrive - which is the sporty hatch version of the BMW 1 Series loses the six-cylinder engine and goes on to assemble a two-liter four-cylinder with double turbo and 306 hp with which accelerates in 4.7 seconds and reaches a maximum self-limited speed of 250 km / h, with consumption of between 6.8 and 7.1 liters.
Dynamically, the BMW M135i xDrive features a Torsen limited-slip mechanical differential, a special M-direction tare with a more sensitive feel and a revised xDrive all-wheel drive, which varies the power distribution between the two axles depending on the traversed travel of the accelerator up to a 50:50 ratio.
With a new modern design, technological advancement and a sporty hot hatch option, it is expected that the new BMW 1 Series can now catch up with its main competitors the Mercedes A-Class, Audi A3 and Volkswagen Golf. However, interested buyers would have to wait until the end of September to order it.
