Sheer driving pleasure and enhanced versatility: all new BMW 1 Series launches in New Zealand

• All new third generation BMW 1 Series to provide broader range of abilities than ever before to cater for both urban commuting and open road adventures 
• New BMW front-wheel-drive architecture combines driving pleasure with enhanced versatility thanks to increased interior space
• Launches with two models – BMW 118i, launched in Sport Line Edition  and M Sport guise, and M135i xDrive
• 118i Sport Line Edition priced at $49,990^*, 118i M Sport at $53,900* and $83,500^* for M135i xDrive 
• Panoramic Glass Sunroof available for the first time on BMW 1 Series 
• M135i the first BMW 1 Series available in New Zealand with xDrive to provide superior traction and stability
• Propelled by BMW TwinPower Turbo engines including the most powerful 
  four-cylinder engine from BMW in the M135i xDrive
• Debut of i3-inspired actuator contiguous wheel slip limitation (ARB) technology in a BMW combustion car 
• Enhanced suite of advanced driving assistance features fitted as standard equipment including Head-Up Display, Lane Change Warning and Reversing Assistant 
• Reversing Assistant makes segment debut
• BMW Live Cockpit Professional & Wireless Smartphone Charging fitted as standard
• 30kg lighter than outgoing 1 Series thanks to use of lightweight materials 
• 33mm more knee room, 19mm more rear headroom and 67mm more width in luggage compartment than previous model 

BMW New Zealand provides buyers in the premium small hatchback segment with a highly enticing new proposition by introducing the all new BMW 1 Series. 

The third generation model BMW 1 Series debuts new BMW front-wheel-drive architecture, bringing together the marque’s renowned driving pleasure and a significant increase in interior space. 

It also features a dynamic new styling package both inside and out while adding new levels of technology, standard safety options and BMW firsts in both equipment and powertrain offerings. 

Two models are now available: the 118i and M135i xDrive, providing buyers with the option of a highly specified entry level model and a potent high performance variant.   

Both launch models deliver smooth and progressive power delivery with the latest BMW three and four cylinder engines, combined with sporty seven and eight speed transmissions.   

The 1.5-litre three-cylinder TwinPower Turbo engine of the BMW 118i produces 103kW and 220Nm, and helps deliver the standard sprint in 8.5 seconds.

The BMW M135i xDrive features the most powerful four-cylinder engine BMW has ever developed, delivering 225kW and a whopping 450Nm. 

The two-litre unit helps propel the M135i xDrive to 100km/h from rest in just 4.8 seconds with traction aided by the celebrated BMW xDrive system. It is the first time a 1 Series has been offered in New Zealand with xDrive.  

Exterior design and key dimensions: aggressive and versatile

The styling package of the all new BMW 1 Series features flowing lines with a shorter bonnet that blends into the windscreen and a long roofline that drops away towards the rear. 

Significantly, the compact body offers considerably more space than its predecessor within an almost identical footprint.  

The BMW 1 Series is five millimetres shorter than the outgoing model, while it is 34 millimetres wider and 13 millimetres higher. These dimensions deliver a sporty appearance while enhancing the car’s day-to-day usability. 

A wide tail with an athletic shoulder line above the rear wheel arches underlines the car’s squat stance when viewed from behind. 

Two-part rear light elements with full-LEDs provide a contemporary, signature BMW look. 

The side profile also displays iconic brand design cues, from a pronounced shark nose to the Hofmeister kink at the C-pillar. A slim window line raising towards the rear also provides a sporty appearance. 

The front design is characterised by a new face and a reinterpretation of the famous BMW kidney grille. The grille is larger, has a noticeably stronger presence and for the first time on 1 Series the kidneys merge in the centre to provide a distinctive impression. 

The diagonal-design front headlights portray an impression of forward progress, while full-LED lamps provide enhanced visibility at night and add to the vehicle’s modern aesthetic.

The hexagonal tubes of the daytime driving lights showcase a futuristic and technical feel, while the ‘eyebrow’ turn-signals emphasise the width of the 1 Series. 

The 118i M Sport also provides a muscular appearance thanks to the specially-sculpted air intakes on the front apron. Illuminated Boston interior further enhances the premium feel of the cabin and the technologically-enhanced vehicle. 

The focused BMW M135i xDrive stands out even further with pronounced mesh design that replaces the traditional struts on the kidney grille. The three-dimensional element is inspired by motorsport and provides the front end with additional depth and stature. 

Inserts fitted to the outer air intakes provide the M135i xDrive with another distinctive design aspect. 

At the rear, the M135i xDrive features an M rear spoiler, providing visual dynamism while enhancing aerodynamic downforce. 

Interior design: more space and higher levels of refinement   

The new 1 Series cabin delivers more space thanks to the new front-wheel-drive architecture while providing high quality materials, driver-focused controls and innovative details such as backlit trim strips. These trim strips, which are selectable in colour and lighting effect, feature in a BMW for the first time and are standard across both models. 

Grouped control clusters enhance operability, while comfort is enhanced by the practical stowage zones. 

BMW Operating System 7.0 headlines the new infotainment offering and is available with optional gesture control. Two 10.25-inch screens display vehicle information and the wide array of adjustable features in crystal clear clarity. 

Deep thought has been given to enhancing ergonomics and ensuring intuitive control for the driver. The heating, air conditioning and new hexagonal air vents are grouped in the centre console below the Control Display, while the engine Start/Stop button is now located in the control panel next to the gear selector. 

Racing-inspired M Sport seats are standard on the M135i xDrive and available as an option on the118i M Sport. They feature an integrated headrest and more pronounced support bolsters to deliver a muscular yet cushioned look and feel. 

A new panoramic glass roof – available for the first time on 1 Series – allows more light into the interior and enhances the feeling of space. A pleasant acoustic environment can be achieved even when the roof is open thanks to a net wind deflector and a comfort rest position for the glass roof panel. 

Internal accommodation: elevated usability

The all new BMW 1 Series has made a significant leap in interior space thanks to the new transverse engine position and lower centre tunnel. Access is easier and there is an additional 33 millimetres of knee room in the rear, while rear headroom has increased by 19 millimetres due to the outward opening design of the panoramic glass roof. 

Elbow room has increased by 42 millimetres and 13 millimetres in the front and rear respectively, while the luggage compartment capacity has increased by 20 litres to 380 litres. 

A voluminous 1200 litres of space is available when the rear seat bench is folded down. 

An electrically-operated tailgate is now optionally available on BMW 1 Series for the first time, and when Comfort Access is optioned the vehicle can be opened with contactless operation of the tailgate (kick function).

Drivetrain and chassis: modern and highly capable with integrated i3 innovation

The new front-wheel-drive architecture blends cutting-edge chassis engineering, innovative technologies and integrated components and control systems that influence the car’s driving dynamics. 

The exceptional agility of the all new BMW 1 Series is the enhanced by the debut in a combustion car of actuator contiguous wheel slip limitation (ARB) technology. This system, which is standard on both models and was first seen on the BMW i3, has the effect of significantly improving traction when pulling away, cornering or driving in the wet. It does this by allowing wheel slip to be controlled more sensitively and swiftly than before. 

ARB technology employs a slip controller positioned directly in the engine control unit rather in the control unit for the Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) system. This eliminates long signal paths and relays information three times faster, while the driver perceives wheel slip being brought under control approximately 10 times faster.

The ARB system works in close tandem with the DSC system to reduce power understeer – a typical drawback of traditional front-wheel-drive vehicles – without the need for corrective inputs. The system adds to this with reduced friction to improve steering feel.

ARB is complemented by BMW Performance Control (for yaw moment distribution), which provides more agile handling potential by intelligently applying the brakes at the wheels on the inside of the bend before the slip threshold has been reached. This supresses any initial understeer and provides neutral steering attributes. 

Increased use of aluminium including for the bonnet and tailgate, combined with high-strength steels, has shaved 30 kilograms of weight from the new 1 Series compared with its predecessor. These measures also increase the body structure’s bending and torsional stiffness. Bracing elements, including the standard boomerang-shaped strut in the vehicle’s rear section, also assist the stiffness to aid enhanced handling capability. 

Driver assistance systems: innovative aids now in the premium compact class

The all new BMW 118i M Sport and M135i xDrive are fitted as standard with the advanced BMW Head-Up Display. The system projects driving-related information onto an area of the windscreen measuring 9.2-inches with full-colour graphics optimally positioned in the driver’s field of view. 

Information shown includes vehicle speed, speed limits, status indicators, warnings from the assistance systems, route guidance instructions and telephone and multimedia lists. 

Parking Assistant with Reversing Assistant provides automatic assisted parking in parallel or perpendicular spaces and is ideal for manoeuvring in tight urban areas. 

The system manages the steering, acceleration and braking while also making the necessary gear selections. 

The innovative Reversing Assistant meanwhile makes its debut in the premium compact class. Having already featured on the BMW 3 Series, the system offers the highly convenient option of automated reversing in confined spaces. 

The car stores the steering movements for any section the car has just traversed at no more than 36 km/h. Reversing Assistant can then reverse the vehicle for distances up to 50 metres by steering it along the same line it took when moving forward. 

The all new BMW 1 Series has unprecedented levels of active safety packaged within BMW Driving Assistant, offering Approach Control Warning, Lane Departure Warning and for the first time on a BMW in this segment – Lane Change Warning. 

Depending on the situation, BMW Driving Assistant can bring the 1 Series to a halt, thereby avoiding a collision or minimising its consequences. 

Lane Departure Warning features active steering intervention, which is operational from 55 to 210 km/h. 

Lane Change Warning alerts the driver of vehicles in their blind spot at speeds of 20-250 km/h by means of a visual warning in the exterior side mirrors. It will also provide steering input if necessary. 

Other technologies within BMW Driving Assistant include Rear Cross Traffic Warning – which reduces the risk of a collision when reversing into roads obstructed from the driver’s view – and Rear Collision Prevention. 

Grade, pricing and specification  

The BMW 118i Sport Line Edition is priced at $49,900* and includes the following standard specification highlights: 

• 17“ light alloy wheels Double-spoke style 549 
• Driving Assistant, incl. Lane Departure Warning, Lane Change Warning, Approach control Warning with city-braking intervention, Rear Cross Traffic Warning, Rear Collision Prevention and Speed Limit Information and Cruise control with braking function 
• Parking Assistant, incl. PDC (front and rear), Rear View Camera, Automatic Parking Assistant and Reversing Assistant 
• Live Cockpit Professional including 10.25” instrument cluster, 10.25” BMW operating system 7.0 display and Intelligent Personal Assistant 
• Connected Package Professional including Apple CarPlay (1 year) plus Wireless Charging for smartphone 
• Storage Compartment Package 
• Lights Package incl. Ambient interior lighting and exterior BMW Logo projection on driver’s side 
• LED headlights and tail lights, LED fog lights, front 
• Stereo speaker system, 6 loudspeakers (100W) 
• Wireless smartphone charging 
• Sport seats for driver and front passenger 

The BMW 118i M Sport, priced at $53,900* adds to this the following details over and above the 118i Sport Line:

• M Sport Package including M Sport multifunction leather steering wheel, Sport Seats, Cloth/Sensatec upholstery, BMW Individual headliner in Anthracite 
• 18” M Light alloy double spoke wheels, style 819 M Bicolour (1RL) 
• BMW Head-Up Display 
• Interior trim finishers ‘Illuminated Boston’ 
• M Sport Suspension 

The BMW M135i xDrive is priced at $83,500* and adds the following specification items in addition to those listed above:

• M Sport Brakes 
• M Sport Steering 
• M rear spoiler 
• 19” M Light Alloy Wheels 557 M Bicolour Cerium Grey matt (1Y3) 
• Comfort Access incl. BMW Digital Key 
• M Sport Seats for driver and front passenger with integrated headrests and improved lateral support 
• Leather ‘Dakota’ Upholstery 
• Electric Seat Adjustment incl. driver’s side seat memory function 
• Adaptive LED headlights incl. High Beam Assistant 
• harman/kardon surround sound system, 16 speakers (464W) 

Options packages

Visibility Package: $2,500

Package features:

• Metallic Paint
• Adaptive LED Headlights
• Panorama Glass Roof

Additional features - M135i xDrive only:

• Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go function

Comfort Package: $1,200

Package features:

• Comfort access
• Electronic seat adjustment
• Seat Heating for driver and front passenger

Additional features - M135i xDrive only: 

• Automatic tailgate
• Lumbar Support for driver and front passenger

By variant: performance and efficiency

*Recommended Retail Pricing is shown and includes GST, but excludes on-road costs. Customers are advised to contact their nearest BMW dealer for all pricing enquiries.

Warranty and Servicing

As with all New Zealand-new BMW vehicles a five year warranty, three year service inclusive programme and five year roadside assist coverage is fully included.