BMW 1 Series updated

The German carmaker has given the BMW 1 Series coupe and convertible range a "very minor" model update ahead of the new-look 1 Series arrival in last quarter of this year.

The sales columns of the smallest Beemer will be given a jolt by the introduction of a new entry-level hard-top - the 120i Coupe - amid mild exterior changes, but without any pricetag changes.

The new entry-level model - powered by a four-cylinder 115kW/200Nm petrol engine for a 0-100km/h time of 8.6 seconds - gets leather trim, sports seats, climate control, Bluetooth phone link, USB port, cruise control, rear parking sensors, automatic headlights and 17in alloy wheels and is designed to bring new customers to the brand, says product and marketing manager Toni Andreevski.

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"The segment is down, the whole sportscar segment is down - the entry-level coupe will appeal to a new customer, it's the most affordable coupe we've ever offered, this is a new alternative in that segment," he says.

The model update new front air intakes, with the air curtain vent system to reduce wheelarch air turbulence (for improved aerodynamics), mildly-made-over headlights (with LED eyebrows if you option up to bi-xenons, which includes LED tail lights), but buyers opting for cars with the M-Sport body package don't benefit from the exterior changes.

Mr Andreevski says 135i buyers can also boost the outputs to near 1 M Coupe levels. "There's also a power kit upgrade, it ups the power to 240kW, up from 225kW, with an intercooler as well. BMW says the torque is boosted to 430Nm for manual models with the upgrade kit, or 450Nm for the automatic variants."

The company has also added two new metallic paint colours - "Marrakesh" brown and "Vermilion" red - as well as new interior trim and alloy wheel designs.

Drivetrain changes (including more work on fuel economy and emissions reductions) have seen small decreases in fuel use and emissions for some of the models in the 1 Series range.

The 1 Series customer now also has access to the optional Innovations package that the company says is a popular choice with 3 Series buyers - which adds the upgraded satellite navigation, bi-xenon headlights (with spray washers) and the auto-headlight dipping High-Beam Assist system to the bulk of the 1 Series fleet.

Those signing up for the package on a 135i add the Harman Kardon surround sound system and auto-dipping "anti-dazzle" exterior rearvision mirrors to the features list.

With no changes to the prices of the existing range, the only pricetag of note is the new entry-level car - the 120i Coupe, which starts from $47,400, rising to $55,600 for the 125i, $58,200 for the 123d and finishing at $75,000 for the 135i.

The droptop line-up starts with the 118d and the 120i both for $53,200, $64,900 for the 125i, the 123d is priced from $67,500 and the 135i tops the list at $82,500.