One to watch
BY DAVID HASSALL | 13th Jun 2007
The facelifted 1 Series five-door hatchback is little-changed in appearance from the car that has been with us since October 2004.
More significant are engine upgrades, especially in the 120d, which features a second-generation aluminium-block 2.0-litre turbo-diesel that has 10kW more power (now 125kW at 4000rpm) and 10Nm more torque (340Nm at 1750rpm).
This has reduced 0-100km/h acceleration times from 8.5 seconds to 7.8 seconds while fuel consumption is down by about half a litre to 6.1L/100km.
The 120d also gets 17-inch wheels, rear parking distance sensors and an automatic interior mirror as standard.
Eagle-eyed enthusiasts might pick the thicker chrome grille surrounds, clear-glass headlights and revised airdam at the front, while the rear features lightly revised bumper and tail-lights (with two-stage brake lights).
Daytime running lights are offered as an option, as are adaptive headlights that look around corners.
Inside, BMW has addressed the 1 Series’ lack of storage by adding door pockets as well as a slightly bigger glovebox, while materials and colour choices have been revised.
Two new exterior colours have been added to the range, along with new alloy wheels for the 118i, 120i and 120d.
An MP3 compatibility option (standard on the 130i) has been added at a cost of $500 while the optional iDrive system benefits from the eight “favourites” buttons featured in the 7 Series and 3 Series Convertible.
Prices for 1 Series have risen by only $200 to $500, except for the entry-level 1.6-litre 116i, which is unchanged at $34,900.
| 2007 BMW 1 Series range pricing: | |
| 116i | $34,900 |
| 118i | $38,900 |
| 118i (a) | $41,100 |
| 120i | $43,300 |
| 120i (a) | $45,500 |
| 120d (a) | $48,000 |
| 130i | $63,700 |
| 130i (a) | $66,300 |