BMW releases third-generation 1 Series pricing

BMW Group Australia has released increased pricing for the entry-level and performance variants of its 1 Series small hatch, which will become $4000 dearer in the fourth quarter this year when the third-generation model enters showrooms.

Making the switch from rear-wheel drive (RWD) to front-wheel drive, the range-opening 118i now starts 1 Series proceedings from $42,990 plus on-road costs.

The flagship M140i has been replaced by the $63,990 M135i, which features a four-cylinder engine and BMW’s xDrive all-wheel-drive system instead of its predecessor’s inline six-cylinder unit and RWD set-up.

Despite its price rise, the 118i is still level with the entry-level version of Mercedes-Benz’s new-generation A-Class hatch, the $42,900 A180. Audi’s A3 35 TFSI Sportback is the most expensive of the big three, at $43,300.

When it comes to performance variants, though, the M135i is the cheapest ahead of Audi’s $64,200 S3 Sportback, while Mercedes-AMG’s incoming A35 hatch is much further upstream, at $67,200.

The 118i is again motivated by a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol three-cylinder engine, but it now produces 103kW (+3kW) of peak power, while maximum torque remains at 220Nm. It sprints from standstill to 100km/h in 8.5 seconds.

As the flagship 1 Series, the M135i ups the ante with a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol unit that punches out 225kW and 450Nm – down 25kW and 50Nm over the preceding M140i. Triple digits come up in a scant 4.8s (+0.2s).

While the 118i makes use of a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, the M135i is instead mated to an eight-speed torque-converter unit sourced from Aisin.

Standard equipment in the 118i includes bi-colour 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, front foglights and tail-lights; a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, one year of Apple CarPlay support, a 100W sound system with six speakers, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, a 9.2-inch windshield-projected head-up display, wireless smartphone charging, ambient lighting, an M Sport steering wheel, sports seats, cloth/Sensatec leather-accented upholstery, Illuminated Boston trim and an Anthracite headliner.

Advanced driver-assist systems extend to autonomous emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, speed limit recognition, park assist and Reversing Assistant.

The M135i adds Cerium Grey matte 19-inch alloy wheels, M Sport brakes, adaptive LED headlights, a rear spoiler, keyless entry and start, a 464W Harman/Kardon sound system with 16 speakers, power-adjustable front M Sport seats with integrated headrests, driver’s seat memory functionality, Dakota leather upholstery and high-beam assist.

Several options packages are available for both variants, including the $2900 Enhancement Package that bundles in metallic paintwork and a panoramic sunroof alongside Jet Black 19-inch alloy wheels for the 118i or adaptive cruise control with stop and go functionality for the M135i.

The Comfort Package features heated front seats with lumbar support alongside keyless entry and start, and power-adjustable front seats for the 118i ($2300) or a heated steering wheel for the M135i ($923).

The $1200 Convenience Package includes a power-operated tailgate, a storage net for the rear compartment, and a through-loading system.

The 118i is exclusively available with the $1000 Driver Assistance Package (adaptive LED headlights, adaptive cruise control with stop and go functionality, high-beam assist and tyre pressure monitoring) and $2100 M Sport Plus Package (M Sport brakes, a rear spoiler, front M Sport seats and M seatbelts).

Sales of the 1 Series have cooled off slightly this year in the lead up to the new model’s release, with 1627 examples sold to the end of August – a 6.8 per cent decrease over the 1745 deliveries made during the same period in 2018.

The 1 Series is still the third best-selling model in the $40,000-plus small-car segment, trailing the A-Class (3354 units) and A3 (2244).

2019 BMW 1 Series pricing*

*Excludes on-road costs