F20 LCI

BMW admitted it work to do in the compact prestige segment with its rtear-wheel drive 1 Series and gave it a revamped look and model line-up.

A broader "kidney" grille, larger air intakes beneath the bumper and LED daytime running and tail lights, were among the changes, as was the dropping of the entry-level 116i.

The range kicked off with the 100kW/220Nm 1.6-litre direct-injection turbo four-cylinder 118i that had as standard a reversing camera, 16-inch alloy wheels, keyless start and a 40/20/40 splitfold rear seat to access 360 litres of boot-space (rising to 1200 with seats folded) but that engine was replaced by the 100kW/220Nm 1.5-litre three-cylinder late in its first year on sale.

The standard fare also included heated exterior mirrors, cloth trim, real-time traffic information for the satnav, rear parking sensors, climate control, rain-sensing wipers, a sports steering wheel and the eight-speed, with a six-speed manual available for special order across the range.

Safety systems included six airbags, stability and traction control, an electronic differential lock and a five-star crash test rating.

The 118d 2.0-litre turbodiesel offered 110kW (a 5kW increase over the previous model) and 320Nm from 1500 to 3000rpm.

The 120i was new to the range following the change to the entry-level model – it used the same engine but pumping out 130kW and 250Nm – and got 17- inch wheels and an auto-dimming centre mirror, fog lights, dual-zone climate control, upgraded instruments and artificial "leather." Sportier hatch buyers were targeted by the 160kW/310Nm 2.0-litre turbo 125i, which received on M Sport suspension and brakes, as well as a body extras, variable-ratio sports steering, suede/cloth trim, LED headlights and 18-inch alloy wheels.

The range-topper was the 3.0-litre turbo six-cylinder M135i, which got an extra five kW, taking power to 240kW of power, while torque was 450Nm between 1300 and 4500rpm for a sprint to 100km/h in 4.9 seconds.

The flagship had leather trim, 18-inch M alloys, M Performance adaptive suspension, adaptive LED headlights and digital radio.