With the unveiling of the heavily facelifted BMW 1 Series, the German carmaker has attempted to address the awkward styling of its entry-level model, while upgrading the powerplants with more performance and increased efficiency. The front-end styling changes have been partly guided by the revised engines, as more cooling is required for certain units. As such, the air intakes have gotten bigger, giving BMW freedom to change the shape of the headlights which have become more rectangular and spacious enough to receive revised lenses.
DRLs now come as standard with optional full LEDs, which the M Sport edition models receive as standard. The fascia also benefits from a revised apron with an upgraded kidney grille sporting chrome accents and a more sculpted frame.
Flared wheel arches and sharp horizontal lines give the 1er a wider appearance, while at the back two-piece taillights extend onto the trunk lid with L-shaped graphics. LED technology comes standard across the range. At the bottom end of the new range of engines, the entry-level 116d gets a 1.5-liter three-pot with 114 hp.Three 2.0-liter diesels are topped by a 221-hp variant in the 125d, while crowning the lineup is the M135i, which gets the same powertrain as the M235i – a 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder rated at 322 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque. With the six-speed manual, it sprints to 62 mph in 5.1 seconds, dropping to 4.9 seconds with the new ZF-sourced eight-speed automatic, which is offered across the range.
Gasoline engines range from a 109-hp three-pot in the 116i to a 218-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder in the 125i. Inside, the facelifted BMW 1 Series gets a 6.5-inch central display (optional 8.8-inch screen) and Controller unit on the center console. There's new chrome highlights and piano-black trim, single-zone climate control as standard with optional dual-zone, while other new options include a self-park facility that can complete a parallel park on the street. After debuting at the Geneva Motor Show, the refreshed 1 Series will go on sale later this year.
