BMW 1 Series News

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has published its latest round of safety recalls, with models from Ford, Mazda, BMW, Kia, Audi, Jeep, Alfa Romeo and Lamborghini affected.

BMW Australia has announced pricing for its refreshed 1 Series line-up arriving in September, with the range-topping M140i benefiting from a significant price cut

Train spotters will find it hard to separate the exteriors of the new and old 2 Series, but there are some minor differences.

A special BMW M140i Performance Edition will arrive locally during the second quarter of this year, with the limited run of 60 units attracting a price of $71,900 before on-roads costs.

New engines and spec tweaks destined for 1 Series in Q4.

Luxury SUV sales growth continues during first five months of 2016.

Major engine enhancements to BMW's entry-level M Performance models will arrive before the end of the year.The Bavarian brand says it will "pass the baton" from the existing turbocharged six-cylinder engines powering M135i and M235i models to the typically more powerful and less thirsty new engine that will launch in models dubbed M140i and M240i.The upgrade affects three models in Australia: the M135i five-door hatch, M235i coupe and M235i convertible.The power boost is backed by a 7 per cent drop in fuel use, with the claimed official consumption now down to 7.9L/100km. As is becoming the norm with most makers, performance increases despite the engines being less thirsty.In this case 0-100km/h times are down to 4.6 seconds using the eight-speed auto that is already on M Performance models here. The convertible's extra mass adds 0.1 second.Power increases from the current 240kW/450Nm to 250kW/500Nm — incredibly, that matches the figures of the bahn-storming 1 Series M coupe cult car built in 2011-12.That car has only now been superseded by the M2 coupe, which can run to 100km/h in just 4.3 seconds, thanks to outputs of 262kW/465Nm, trick componentry and weight-saving measures.Prices for the existing M Performance models start at $62,900 for the M135i and top out at $86,500 for the M235i convertible.Expect minor increases across the range, given the engine updates are likely to be backed by refreshed fenders and features.BMW Australia spokeswoman Lenore Fletcher says the new powertrain should fuel already strong local demand for the company's performance variants."We don't have any specifics other than the release at this point but we do know Australians will welcome the added performance," she says."Until the arrival of the M2 the M135i and M235i models were our go-to hot hatch and fast coupe respectively and there is still a big market that appreciates a good engine without wanting to engage every day with a full-on M model."The gear ratios in the eight-speed auto have been stretched to match the extra power.Drivers can choose to perform multiple downshifts on the paddle-shifters when entering a corner, with the car then matching ratios to revs as they drop.Left in auto mode, the transmission can employ predictive shifting — checking with the satnav to match ratios with the contours of the road.

The 1 Series hatch has received a mid-cycle facelift for 2015, with BMW adding more standard features across the range, while maintaining the $36,900 entry point.While the 1 Series will still be spread across five variants, BMW has dropped the 116i entry-level model, replacing it with the 118i. The outgoing 118i has also been replaced by the 120i, while the 125i, M135i and diesel-powered 118d names carry over.Most variants maintain the same list pricing as their outgoing equivalents. Only the 125i has seen a minor price bump, with its list price rising $900 to $48,900. The M135i has received a $2030 drop to now be priced from $62,900.RELATED: Watch our 2015 BMW 1 Series first drive review video here.The 2015 118i features a 100kW/220Nm 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine (from the previous 116i), paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Combined fuel consumption also matches the outgoing 116i at 5.6L/100km. The four-cylinder 118i will be short lived however, as the entry model will adopt a version of the 2 Series Active Tourer's 1.5-litre three cylinder engine in the fourth quarter of the year.New standard features for the refreshed 118i include a reversing camera, rear parking sensors, satnav with live traffic information, auto wipers and 16-inch alloys.The $40,300 118d turbodiesel receives a bump in outputs with the 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine now producing 110kW (up 5kW) and 320Nm. It is also paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission.Despite the power boost, the efficiency-leading 118d now consumes in 0.4L/100km less on the combined cycle at 4.5L/100km.The Sport Line trim pack is standard on both the 118i, 118d and 120i which brings some black embellishments, unique cloth trim, leather steering wheel and bespoke alloys.The $41,900 120i has a 130kW/250Nm version of the 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine paired to an eight-speed auto. It brings a 5kW increase in power and a 5.6L/100km combined fuel consumption, which represents a 0.2L/100km improvement over the outgoing 118i it replaces.Also in the updated 120i package is Sensatec synthetic leather trim, auto-dimming rearview mirror, climate control, improved smartphone connectivity and 17-inch alloys.Priced from $48,900, the hotter 125i features the same 160kW/310Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine and eight-speed automatic transmission of the outgoing model. It also matches the outgoing model's combined fuel consumption, coming in at 6.3L/100km.The 125i also features an M Sport package bringing design tweaks inside and out, as well as M Sport brakes, LED headlights, front and rear parking sensors, Alcantara/cloth trim and 18-inch alloys.Topping out the 2015 1 Series hatch range is the $62,900 M135i performance flagship.Under the bonnet of the M135i is a 240kW/450Nm 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbochared petrol engine, matched with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The powerplant delivers a 5kW increase in power over the outgoing model, and now matches the power produced by the M235i.Continuing the theme, the M135i matches the combined fuel consumption of the outgoing version, achieving 7.5L/100km.The M135i features include premium satnav, improved sound system with digital radio, leather trim, adaptive LED headlights, as well as the M Performance trim pack, adaptive M suspension and 18-inch alloy wheels.

From the age of 16, Calvin Luk dreamt of designing for BMW. Now he's one of the key people in the company's exterior production design studio in Germany. His first complete car will be public later in the year, but the 1 Series work is already on the road in Europe and he has a big grin."I'm enjoying it here. There is no reason to think about anything else. It was always a dream to come here," Luk tells CarsGuide.He wrote to BMW after visiting the Sydney Motor Show in the 1990s, took the company's advice to study at the Art Centre College of Design in California, then interned at BMW before being offered a full-time job."I always stayed in touch with the BMW team while I was studying. Once you leave Australia, that's it, you better make something out of it. It's a big commitment to leave home."The impression from front and rear is that it's almost a new carThat commitment is now reflected in his work on BMW production cars, starting with the 1 Series."It's a facelift. But it's the whole front and rear end," he says. "A lot of the change is being driven by the new components underneath, like the new light modules and air requirements for new engines."Overall, the impression from front and rear is that it's almost a new car."Sydney-born Luk says his background gives him a global view of the car business.What you consider important is coming from many facets at the same time"It's not just being Australian, but it's also studying in California and my Asian heritage from Hong Kong. Then you're living in Germany in Munich. What you consider important is coming from many facets at the same time."He has worked with BMW for nearly seven years, starting with the advanced design studio, and loves the competitive element to his job. That starts with concept sketches, runs through a contest to create the best design and models for a new car, to the final production work."I think it's exciting. Without competition you don't have the same sort of drive to make the best out of the project. It's much more exciting and thrilling, and it keeps you on your toes." Luk says working at BMW gives him both challenges and satisfaction.Customers expect more that they cannot get in other cars"You have to respect the brand. Part of the customer expectation is to buy a BMW at the end of the day, so you don't want to throw them something that's unrelated," he says."You add to the story. But you do have more freedom because you are a premium product, and you can invest more. And customers expect more that they cannot get in other cars."

BMW has taken the wraps off the facelifted 1 Series range, which will bring updated styling and engines to the small hatch lineup.Headlining the changes are completely redesigned head and taillights with revised front and rear bumpers that help correct the previous model's polarising styling.The new bonnet and front bumper also give the 1 Series a more aggressive appearance than before, while bringing the model’s design in line with newer BMWs like the 4 Series and X4 SUV.Daytime running LED lights positioned within the main headlights are also fitted as standard on the new model, while full LED lamps are available as an option.At the rear the new 1 gets refreshed taillights with distinctive L-shaped LEDs and a revised tailgate design that gives the hatchback a stylish 6 Series inspired design.The interior has also had a makeover, although the changes are less noticeable and limited to material upgrades around the centre console.Revisions have been made beneath the sheetmetal too, with BMW’s new three-cylinder engine family (first seen in the new Mini) introduced across the entry-level models.The petrol 116i will swap its current 100kW/220Nm 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine for the new 80kW/180Nm 1.5-litre three-cylinder motor, which can use as little as 5.0L/100km on the European cycle.However the power deficit compared to the four-pot means the new 116i is around two seconds slower from 0-100km/h than the outgoing model.An efficiency-focused 116d Efficient Dynamics Edition model is also being launched, powered by an 85kW/270Nm diesel three-cylinder and can return 3.4L/100km combined on the European cycle. It's unclear at this stage if this variant will be offered locally.The petrol 118i is also taking a power cut but keeps the same 1.6-litre turbo engine as before. It’s revised 100kW/220Nm  output is 20kW and 30Nm less than the outgoing version and it’s 0-100km/h time has increased by a smidge over a second to 8.5, though fuel consumption has dropped 0.1L/100km to 5.4L/100km combined on the European cycle. At the top of the range, the M135i performance model receives a 5kW power boost, bringing the outputs of its 3.0-litre turbocharged straight six to the same 240kW/450Nm as its more recent two-door M235i stablemate.Despite the extra power, with the no-cost option eight-speed automatic gearbox specified, the M135i still takes 4.9 seconds to reach 100km/h – the M235i is a tenth quicker.The new BMW 1 Series range is expected to arrive in Australia in the second half of this year.