BMW updates 1 Series range

BMW has refreshed its 1 Series hatchback range with a mid-life update, lopping $4910 from its range-topping M140i hot hatch to bring the cost to $59,990 before on-roads and lifting prices across the remainder of its four-cylinder line-up.

The M140i price drop means the flagship 1 Series comfortably undercuts its main rivals, the Mercedes-AMG A45 from $78,900 and the Audi RS3 Sportback from $78,616, while laying claim to being the only hot hatch available on the market with a six-cylinder engine and rear-wheel drive.

Elsewhere, the entry-level 118i rises $2000 to $39,990, the 118d receives a price hike of $2090 to $43,990, while the 120i has risen $3000 to $45,990. The 125i price grows a modest $90 to $49,990.

BMW’s latest iDrive 6 infotainment system has been included as standard across the 1 Series range, while the Navigation Professional system, which is standard on the 125i and M140i and optional on others, makes the 8.8-inch screen touch compatible.

Tweaks to the interior include a high-gloss black centre stack, new upholstery stitching, chrome elements for the electric window controls and a greater choice of trim finishers, including Pearl Chrome and Dakota leather upholstery with Cognac finish.

Sunset Orange metallic paint is available range-wide, while Seaside Blue metallic is available on non- M Sport-equipped variants.

12 total paint options are now available – ten metallic and two standard.

LED headlights are now standard across the range, while the M140i gains adaptive LEDs.

Standard equipment on the 118 petrol and diesel pair includes Sport Line trim with 16-inch wheels, automatic climate control, DAB+ radio, reversing camera, sports steering wheel, cloth upholstery with sports seats for front occupants, rain-sensing wipers and BMW ConnectedDrive.

Stepping up to the 120i adds the Urban Line trim, 17-inch light-alloy wheels, LED foglights, front and rear park distance control, an interior lighting package, anti-dazzle interior mirror and Dakota leather upholstery.

Opting for the 125i nets buyers the M Sport package with M Sport suspension, brakes and aerodynamic package, 18-inch hoops, exterior mirrors with anti-dazzle exterior mirrors, high-gloss Shadow Line exterior finish, cloth/Alcantara upholstery, M leather steering wheel and anthracite roofliner.

The top-spec M140i adds jet black 18-inch alloys, adaptive M suspension, Dakota leather upholstery, electric seat adjustment with memory function, harman/kardon sound system and comfort access system.

Three equipment packages encompassing Driver’s Assistance, Innovations, and Comfort are available for $1400, $1800 and $2100 respectively.

No changes have been made to powertrains, beginning with the 100kw/220Nm 1.5-litre turbo-petrol three-cylinder in the 118i, all the way up to the 250kW/500Nm 3.0-litre inline six in the M140i.

All models are offered with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with a six-speed manual gearbox available as a no-cost option.

In the first half of 2017 BMW has sold 1227 examples of the 1 Series, down 16.8 per cent on the 1474 it sold to the same point last year.

1227 sales is enough to place the 1 Series third in its segment behind the Mercedes-Benz A-Class with 2560 sales, and the Audi A3 with 2483.

BMW Group CEO Marc Werner said the company was happy with the ability to lower the price point of the potent M140i.

“The BMW 1 Series remains a unique proposition in its segment, with rear-wheel drive dynamics in the best BMW tradition,” he said.

“BMW Australia is especially proud of the sharpened price point for the turbocharged six cylinder M140i, bringing its superb performance and dynamics under $60,000 for the first time.”2017 BMW 1 Series pricing*

118i (a)	$39,990
118d (a)	$43,990
120i (a)	$45,990
125i (a)	$49,990
M140i (a)	$59,990

*Excludes on-road costs