FIRST LOOKS
New BMW 1-Series
July 11, 2007 10:20 PM Author:
Chips
The new BMW 1-Series which made its global debut at the Geneva Motorshow in March this year is now available at BMW showrooms in Malaysia. After chalking up sales of more than 200,000 units worldwide to date, the premium compact car now has Efficient Dynamics, courtesy of new powertrains, significant modifications to its exterior design as well as interior redesign. And for the first time, the 1-Series is also offered in a 3-door bodystyle.
“The BMW 1-Series was tremendously successful not only in terms of its worldwide sales figures but also for the fact that it still remains unique as the first and only rear wheel drive car in this segment,” said BMW Malaysia’s MD, Wolfgang Schlimme of the latest model from BMW, adding that the new 1-Series, with its new feature changes coupled with its new pricing strategy, is set to be more popular than its predecessor.
“A new BMW always raises the bar set by its predecessors and this is the same with the new 1-Series. Everything about this car exudes sportiness and agility – from the sophisticated materials and fresh colours utilized to create this car to its interior trimmings as well as from its concave and convex exterior looks right up to its performance capabilities”, said Mr Schlimme.
The new 1-Series has four engine variants. The top end variant, the 5-door 130i features a straight six petrol engine with double VANOS and Valvetronic (195 kW/265 bhp; 315 Nm). The 3-door 120i Sports has a new 4-cylinder engine with second generation direct fuel injection (High Precision Injection) and produces 125 kW/170 bhp with 210 Nm of torque.
Next comes the 118i with an engine that has a fully-variable Valvetronic system as well as Bi-VANOS variable camshaft timing. This engine develops 100 kW/136 bhp and generates 190 Nm of torque. The lowest-priced version is the BMW 116i which has a 4-cylinder petrol engine petrol engine with double VANOS and churns out 85 kW/115 bhp and maximum torque of 150 Nm.
In the styling, prominent changes are very apparent in the front with a newly redesigned and larger kidney grille coupled with new headlight contours that have darker headlamp surrounds. Additionally, a wider air inlet in the front airdam as well as a horizontal trim strip and integrated rectangular fog lights gives the new 1-Series a particularly muscular outlook. At the rear, horizontal lines with distinctive light contour uphold the car’s sporty and agile perspectives. Furthermore, a new taillight design with LED functionality now features on the new 1-Series to not only offer a homogeneous lighting effect at night but also making this BMW much more recognisable.
From the side view, the five door model shows superior variability whilst the three door version expresses the 1-Series focus on enhanced performance. Longer doors accentuated by a single-piece frameless window moving right to the back end of the car also give the three door body a balanced outlook.
Inside, improvements are significant and portray a superior look and feel that matches that of the higher BMW model series. A new redesigned centre console that is joined seamlessly to the dashboard gives the cockpit a stylish yet sporty experience. Sportiness is further accentuated with a shortened sports gearlever for enhanced shifting experiences at the centre of the cockpit. Additionally, new door trims with materials echoing the upholstery furnish the compact car making the interior more refined.
Specific to the BMW 118i are chrome trimmings on the sports leather steering wheel and controls for the radio and automatic air conditioning whilst automatic transmission is now made available for the BMW 116i.
Other premium innovative offerings in the new 1-Series include front airbags, side air bags and curtain head air bags in the front and rear, AUX-in connector for personal audio file playback via the BMW Radio System Professional, Runflat tyres and dual level brake lights are standard.
In drive feel, the 1-Series promises a very engaging drive due not only to its rear wheel drive capabilities but also to its near perfect 50:50 weight distribution. Optimal 50:50 weight distribution, precise steering with aluminium-strengthened front axle and a finely tuned sports style chassis all contribute to the superior handling of the 1-Series.
The 120i Sports offers a more sports-like personality with an elongated shape of the windows making the car dynamic, elegant and sporty with optional chrome line linking the window area to appear almost as a single unit. The sporty coupe also comes with the M sports package consisting of the M Aerodynamics package, M light alloy wheels double spoke 207M with mixed tyres, satin chrome window frames, M Sports Suspension, Anthracite headliner, Sports seat for driver and front passenger, M Leather steering wheel, an M badge door sill finisher as well as Bi-Xenon lights with new daytime running lights.
The new 1-Series, like other BMWs, comes with special financing packages offered by BMW Credit and BMW Lease, which give BMW customers a truly unique one-stop solution from the company’s specialist financial arm. “With these new packages, owning the 1-Series can be a reality for many people because the attractive finance plans make the model a lot more accessible,” said Mr Schlimme.
Retail prices (on the road, without insurance, with BMW Service Inclusive + Repair) are as follow:
BMW 130i – RM 329,800
BMW 120i Sports – RM 223,800
BMW 118i – RM 199,800
BMW 116i – RM 179,800
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Rumour has it, that it will only available next year. So for those that are interested, there is still sometime to save some $$$ for it.
