As the images show, the biggest purpose of this facelift was to correct the hatchback’s only flaw. Nothing more, and nothing less. The front fascia, for instance, was heavily inspired by 2-Series, but in a way that made possible to use the previous hood and fenders. The headlights became somewhat bigger and more rectangular, certainly in order to make people forget the (alleged) resemblance with angry birds. The bumper, as usual, varies with the trim level. At the sides you’ll only see new wheels, once again depending on which 1-Series version you take, but there are more interesting changes at the back: along with the redesigned bumper, the trunk lid became a little smaller, and the tail lights followed BMW’s signature L-shape for the very first time.
Opening the doors won’t reveal much else new. The model received some other electronic equipments as standard. ConnectedDrive bundles camera-based Driving Assistant, latest-generation Parking Assistant, radar-based active cruise control, real-time traffic information, speed limit, and an embedded SIM card dedicated to provide internet and telephone services. The new iDrive, in turn, uses a 6.5” screen to control infotainment functions. And there are individual items such as tire pressure monitor, LED-based lighting, and the improved Professional navigation and audio systems. Everything adapted to the particular color, material and trim selections of each of the Lines in which you can take this car: Urban, Sport, and M Sport, not to mention the super-sporty M135i.
When it comes to the technical part, the new 1-Series became the very first BMW to use engines originally created for Mini vehicles – until now, it only worked the other way around. The new 116i EfficientDynamics uses a three-cylinder 1.5, delivers 109 hp and 133 lb-ft, makes 56.5 mpg and emits 116 g/km of CO2. 118i and 120i share a four-cylinder 1.6 which takes these numbers to 136 and 177 hp, 162 and 184 lb-ft, 125 and 132 g/km. If you prefer to use the new 1-Series in a fun way, 125i’s four-cylinder 2.0 reaches 218 hp, 229 lb-ft, and takes it from 0 to 100 kph in 6.2 seconds. M135i, in turn, sticks with its Motorsport-tuned six cylinders once again, in order to deliver 326 hp and 332 lb-ft and accelerate in 5.1 seconds.
Switching to diesel, 116d uses Mini’s three-cylinder 1.5 to deliver 116 hp and 199 lb-ft, to make 68.9 mpg, and to emit 96 g/km. Taking this one in the EfficientDynamics Edition leads you to the impressive 74.3 mpg and 89 g/km. 118d and 120d, in turn, use the new four-cylinder 2.0 to offer 150 and 190 hp, 236 and 295 lb-ft, 65.7 mpg, and 99 and 103 g/km. Finally, 125d is good for 224 hp, 332 lb-ft, 62.8 mpg and 114 g/km. If you’re feeling tempted by any of these, you’d better hurry up a little. Since this facelift marks the second half of 1-Series’ current generation, it’s supposed to last around four years. However, the rumors concerning its future claim that its successor will share the same front-wheel-drive platform which underpins the new Cooper family and the 2-Series minivans.