The new BMW 1 Series goes on sale in Spring 2007 and features a model line up that includes the most fuel efficient production vehicle BMW has ever produced. The introduction of a three-door model and a revised five-door come as a raft of new fuel-saving innovations are rolled out across the range.

2007 BMW 1-series 3door and facelift

Specifications
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  • Model: 2007 BMW 1-series 3door and facelift
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Technologies such as Brake Energy Regeneration, Automatic Start-Stop function and Electric Power Steering are combined with lower rolling resistant tyres and a gearshift change indicator to encourage economical motoring. These innovations are in addition to the use of variable valve technologies and High-Precision Direct Injection engines on some 1 Series models that boost power output but cut fuel consumption and emissions.


The BMW 118d, BMW’s most economical car, manages its record 60.1mpg figure courtesy of these features in conjunction with the use of further lightweight engineering. The car now has an aluminium crankcase to save weight. Aside from the BMW Hydrogen 7, the BMW 118d also posts the lowest ever CO2 emissions of any BMW recording 123g/km (putting it into the Band C category for Vehicle Excise Duty).


Other engines in the new 1 Series range record economy improvements of up to 24 per cent compared to the previous model, while emissions have also been cut by up to 21 per cent. These improvements have not been to the detriment of driving pleasure. The new 1 Series is powered by a range of engines whose outputs have increased by up to 20hp with a consequential improvement in performance figures.


New fuel saving technology

Brake Energy Regeneration (iGR) makes its debut on the 1 Series. The system uses an Intelligent Alternator Control (IAC) and an Absorbent Glass Mat battery to recycle previously lost energy, in turn saving fuel. This is achieved as the IAC reduces drag on the engine by only engaging when required to charge the battery, whereas a traditional alternator is always pulling power from the engine. Additionally, the energy generated by the engine on over-run (under braking or descending a hill) was previously wasted. Now this lost energy is utilised by the IAC to charge the battery. iGR alone is responsible for a three per cent improvement in fuel economy.


The new 1 Series comes with Automatic Start-Stop function to cut fuel consumption. Standard on all manual transmission models (except 130i), the system automatically switches the engine off when the vehicle is stationary and the driver puts the car into neutral. To restart the driver only need engage the clutch again before pulling away in the normal manner. Should he not want to use the Automatic Start-Stop function it can be manually switched off.


The use of Electric Power Steering results in a 90 per cent energy saving compared to a conventional mechanical hydraulic steering system. Power assistance is now provided by an electric motor that works only when required, such as turning a corner. Other fuel saving enhancements have been made courtesy of various ancillary devices, such as the air-conditioning power supply being disconnected from the drivetrain when not in use. Even flaps behind the kidney grille improve economy, closing up for improved aerodynamic efficiency should the engine require less airflow. The feature also improves cold starting times.


Engine changes and statistics in detail


130i: World’s lightest six-cylinder production engine with VALVETRONIC and Bi-VANOS technology achieves zero to 62mph in 6.0 seconds (five-door is 6.1 seconds) and an electronically limited top speed of 155mph. Output is 265bhp while peak torque is 315Nm. Combined fuel consumption is 34.0mpg and CO2 emissions are 197g/km.


120i: New four-cylinder engine with High-Precision Direct Injection and Bi-VANOS technology achieves zero to 62mph in 7.7 seconds (7.8 seconds for five-door) before going on to a top speed of 139mph. Output is 170hp (up 20hp) while peak torque is now 210Nm (up 10Nm). Combined fuel consumption is 44.1mpg (improves by 17 per cent), CO2 emissions are 152g/km (down 16 per cent).


118i: New four-cylinder engine with High-Precision Direct Injection and Bi-VANOS technology achieves zero to 62mpg in 8.7 seconds (8.8 seconds for five-door) before going on to a top speed of 130mph. Output is 143hp (up 14hp) while peak torque is now 190Nm (up 10Nm). Combined fuel consumption is 47.9mpg (improves by 24 per cent), CO2 emissions are 140g/km (down 20.5 per cent).


116i (five-door only): Four-cylinder engine with Bi-VANOS achieves zero to 62mph in 10.9 seconds and a top speed of 124mph. Output is 116hp and peak torque is 150Nm. Combined fuel consumption is 37.7mpg and CO2 emissions are 179g/km.


120d: Second generation common-rail diesel engine with aluminium crankcase achieves zero to 62mph in 7.5 seconds (7.6 seconds for five-door) before going on to a top speed of 142mph. Output is 177hp (up 14hp) while peak torque is 350Nm (up 10Nm). Combined fuel consumption is 57.6mpg (improves by 16 per cent) and CO2 emissions are 129g/km (down 15.1 per cent).


118d: Second generation common-rail diesel engine with aluminium crankcase achieves zero to 62mph in 8.9 seconds (9.0 seconds for five door) before going on to a top speed of 130mph. Output is 143hp (up 21 hp) while peak torque is 300Nm (up 20Nm). Combined fuel consumption is 60.1mpg (improves by 19 per cent) and CO2 emissions are 123g/km (down 18 per cent).


Low running costs

The plethora of new technology showcased in the BMW 1 Series will have a significant impact on cost of ownership for customers. For the company car driver all but two engine variants now sit in the Band C category for Vehicle Excise Duty. This results in a saving of up to £505 for someone paying 40 per cent tax and up to £278 for those in the 22 per cent tax bracket. For all owners fuel consumption improvement means a 12,000 miles-a-year driver will save approximately £250 off the fuel bill.


Traction and safety

All BMW 1 Series models come with Dynamic Stability Control with Dynamic Traction Control for the best combination driving pleasure and safety. DSC allows drivers to make the most of the 1 Series’ 50:50 weight distribution and rear-wheel-drive configuration for the best on-road performance. The BMW 130i comes with five additional functions with its DSC+ system for enhanced convenience and driver safety: Hill Start Assistant, Brake Pre-tensioning, Brake Drying, Brake Fade Compensation and Soft Stop.


All BMW 1 Series have six airbags as standard, the Brake Force Display function on the rear lights to highlight sharp braking and Run-flat tyres with Tyre Puncture Warning System.


A new style of BMW 1 Series


To herald the introduction of the latest generation of engines, BMW’s designers have refreshed the interior and exterior styling of the five-door model. The 1 Series now features a larger kidney grille for improved airflow to the engine. The lower front spoiler has also been reprofiled to create a larger air intake, while the spoiler protrudes further for a more pronounced, sporting look. The headlamp cluster remains the same size but a darker cover gives a subtle, more distinguished front end.


At the rear a restyled bumper gives the impression of a wider, lower car. The rear lamp cluster now features a new arrangement of lights, but retains its original shape.


The new three-door 1 Series features the same styling cues but its side view is naturally different. The passenger doors are longer than those on the five-door model and are also frameless in the style of a coupé. Inside, customers will also be able to choose between either a four-seat or a five-seat configuration. In the four-seat arrangement rear passengers are separated by a central storage compartment and sit in more sculptured seats. As a no-cost option the five-seat layout offers the traditional bench seat standard on the five-door 1 Series. The introduction of higher quality materials and minor changes to the layout of the interior enhance customer comfort and practicality.


Optional highlights

The new 1 Series comes with MP3 and USB stick capability for the best in in-car entertainment. Customers with their favourite music loaded on an Apple iPod or a USB stick can now plug these into the car to continue their listening. Tracks are selected via steering wheel controls or the iDrive system.


The optional Adaptive Headlights that turn to follow the intended course of the car have been improved on the 1 Series. Cornering light function is added to the package as standard. This means two additional lights turn at speeds of between 22 and 40mph to further illuminate the direction of travel on a twisting road.


Since its launch in September 2004, the BMW 1 Series has proved a popular choice. In the UK with 51,492 sold to date and in excess of 200,000 worldwide. The new three- and five-door BMW 1 Series models will be on display at the Geneva Motor Show in March and go on sale in the UK at the same time.


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Drivetrain


At the core of the revised BMW 1 Series drivetrain are EfficentDynamics technologies. Innovations such as Brake Energy Regeneration, Auto Start-Stop and Electric Power Steering are combined with lower rolling resistant tyres and an Optimum gear shift indicator to deliver truly economical, yet dynamic motoring. These innovations are in addition to the use of variable valve technologies and, for the first time on the 1 Series, high-precision direct injection engines on most petrol models that boost power output but, at the same time, cut fuel consumption and emissions.


The BMW 118d is BMW’s most economical car, managing a record 60.1mpg. Aside from the BMW Hydrogen 7, the BMW 118d posts the lowest ever CO2 emissions of any BMW recording 123g/km, putting it into the Band C category for Vehicle Excise Duty.


It is not just diesel power where all the gains in performance have been made. The 1,995cc four-cylinder petrol engine used in the 118i and the 120i both post significant improvements in performance compared to the powerplants they replace. The 143hp 118i has a 14hp improvement while, at the same time, offering a 24 per cent drop in fuel consumption and a 21 per cent reduction in emissions. Similar gains have been made with the 120i.


To showcase how BMW has used intelligent EfficientDynamics engineering to raise the bar in the premium segment, the table below compares a 118d with an Audi A3 2.0 TDi. While power and performance have increased this has not been at the expense of consumption and emissions.


EfficientDynamics - new fuel saving technology


Brake Energy Regeneration (iGR) makes its debut on the 1 Series and the concurrently launched revised BMW 5 Series. The system uses an Intelligent Alternator Control (IAC) and an Absorbent Glass Mat battery to recycle previously lost energy to save fuel. This is achieved by the IAC reducing drag on the engine by


only engaging when required to charge the battery. A traditional alternator is always drawing power from the engine. Additionally, the energy generated by the engine on over-run (under braking or descending a hill) was previously wasted. Now this lost energy is utilised by the IAC to charge the battery. iGR alone is responsible for a three per cent improvement in fuel economy.


The new 1 Series comes with Auto Start-Stop to further enhance economy. Standard on all manual transmission models (except the 116i and the 130i), the system automatically switches the engine off when the vehicle is stationary and the driver puts the car into neutral and releases the clutch pedal. To restart, the driver only need engage the clutch again before selecting a gear and pulling away in the normal manner.


For reasons of safety and motoring comfort, the automatic Start-Stop function will not engage under certain conditions i.e. if the battery is almost flat or in very high (more than 30oC) or very low (below 3oC) outside temperatures. It will also not engage if the interior temperature within the passenger compartment has not yet reached the level chosen on the air-conditioning. The same applies if heating power is required to de-ice or de-mist the windscreen.


Should the driver not want to use Auto Start-Stop it can be switched off via a button on the dashboard.


Another part of EfficientDynamics is the use of Electric Power Steering that results in a 90 per cent energy saving compared to a conventional mechanical hydraulic steering system and this arrangement is now fitted to all BMW 1 Series. Power assistance is now provided by an electric motor that works only when required, such as turning a corner. Because the system doesn’t constantly drain power from the engine it leads to an approximate three per cent performance improvement. The fact that an Electrical Power Steering system weighs less than a conventional hydraulic arrangement also benefits performance. The steering system’s fluid is of a higher viscosity to lessen friction and improve efficiency.


The introduction of Electric Power Steering comes at the same time as other fuel saving measures are introduced. These include the air-conditioning power supply and various ancillary devices that disconnect from the drivetrain when not in use. Aerodynamics play a key role in improving performance and economy. On SE variants of the new BMW 1 Series, flaps behind the kidney grille close for improved aerodynamic efficiency should the engine require less airflow. The feature improves cold starting times by closing the vents on start-up to retain engine heat and improve operational efficiency at an early stage.


The revised BMW 1 Series is equipped as standard with low rolling resistance Run-flat tyres to enhance economy and an Optimum gear shift indicator located on a central display ahead of the driver to highlight the best, and most fuel-efficient, time to change gear.


High-precision direct injection


All petrol engines (except 130i) in the revised BMW 1 Series now come with high-precision direct injection engines. Such engines provide a very accurate volume of the fuel/air mixture to be injected into the combustion chamber.  It allows the engine to run with a higher compression ratio – both ideal prerequisites for enhancing the engine’s efficiency and significantly reducing fuel consumption.


The performance gains from using high-precision direct injection are made possible by the use of piezo injectors placed between the valves and the spark plug. Each injector delivers up to four bursts of a consistent conical jet of fuel into the combustion chamber with a resulting clean and complete burn of fuel.  The result is more power but less consumption because unspent fuel does not pass into the exhaust system.


Engines in detail:


118d: Second generation common-rail diesel engine with aluminium crankcase achieves zero to 62mph in 8.9 seconds (9.0 seconds for five door) before going on to a top speed of 130mph. Output is 143hp at 4,000rpm (up 21 hp) while peak torque is 300Nm at 2,000rpm (up 20Nm). Combined fuel consumption is 60.1mpg (improvement of 19 per cent) and CO2 emissions are 123g/km (down 18 per cent). The BMW 118d is equipped with Brake Energy Regeneration, Auto Start-Stop, Electric Power Steering, Optimum gear shift indicator, low rolling resistance tyres and Diesel Particulate Filter.


120d: Second generation common-rail diesel engine with aluminium crankcase achieves zero to 62mph in 7.5 seconds (7.6 seconds for five-door) before going on to a top speed of 142mph. Output is 177hp at 4,000rpm (up 14hp) while peak torque is 350Nm at 2,000rpm (up 10Nm). Combined fuel consumption is 57.6mpg (improvement of 16 per cent) and CO2 emissions are 129g/km (down 15.1 per cent). The BMW 120d is equipped as standard with Brake Energy Regeneration, Auto Start-Stop, Electric Power Steering, Optimum gear shift indicator, low rolling resistance tyres and Diesel Particulate Filter.


118i: New four-cylinder engine with high-precision direct injection and Bi-VANOS technology achieves zero to 62mpg in 8.7 seconds (8.8 seconds for five-door) before going on to a top speed of 130mph. Output is 143hp at 6,000rpm (up 14hp) while peak torque is now 190Nm at 4,500rpm (up 10Nm). Combined fuel


consumption is 47.9mpg (improvement of 24 per cent), CO2 emissions are 140g/km (down 20.5 per cent). The BMW 118i is equipped with Brake Energy Regeneration, Auto Start-Stop, Electric Power Steering, low rolling resistance tyres and Optimum gear shift indicator.


120i: New four-cylinder engine with high-precision direct injection and Bi-VANOS technology achieves zero to 62mph in 7.7 seconds (7.8 seconds for five-door) before going on to a top speed of 139mph. Output is 170hp at 6,700rpm (up 20hp) while peak torque is now 210Nm at 4,250rpm (up 10Nm). Combined fuel consumption is 44.1mpg (improvement of 17 per cent), CO2 emissions are 152g/km (down 16 per cent). The BMW 120i is equipped with Brake Energy Regeneration, Auto Start-Stop, Electric Power Steering, low rolling resistance tyres and Optimum gear shift indicator.


130i: World’s lightest six-cylinder production engine with VALVETRONIC and Bi-VANOS technology achieves zero to 62mph in 6.0 seconds (five-door is 6.1 seconds) and an electronically-limited top speed of 155mph. Output is 265bhp at 6,650rpm while peak torque is 315Nm at 2,750rpm. Combined fuel consumption is 34.0mpg and CO2 emissions are 197g/km. The BMW 130i is equipped with Brake Energy Regeneration, Electric Power Steering, low rolling resistance tyres and Optimum gear shift indicator.


116i (five-door only): Four-cylinder engine with Bi-VANOS achieves zero to 62mph in 10.9 seconds and a top speed of 124mph. Output is 116hp at 6,000rpm and peak torque is 150Nm at 4,300rpm. Combined fuel consumption is 37.7mpg and CO2 emissions are 179g/km. The BMW 116i will receive EfficientDynamics derived enhancement in September 2007.


Gearbox


The BMW 1 Series comes as standard with a six-speed manual gearbox. Customers can specify a six-speed automatic with Steptronic function offering manual changes of the automatic gearbox for spirited driving. This sophisticated automatic gearbox comes with new torque converter technology featuring an integrated torsion damper that reduces energy losses and ensures even shorter reaction and gearshift times. BMW 130i M Sport models specified with an automatic gearbox come with steering wheel mounted paddle shift to activate the changes.


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Chassis


The new BMW 1 Series offers an unsurpassed driving experience in the compact segment.  With near perfect 50:50 weight distribution and its unique front-engined, rear-wheel drive arrangement, optimum driving performance is achieved. Unlike front-wheel drive cars that have a tendency to understeer, the 1 Series’ configuration leaves the front wheels free to steer the vehicle uncorrupted by power inputs while the rear wheels transmit the power for optimum traction.


A first for the segment is the car’s advanced suspension set up using an all-aluminium front axle and lightweight steel five-link rear suspension. The front axle consists of a double-joint spring strut tiebar complete with anti-rollbar made largely of aluminium to ensure the optimum combination of supreme stiffness and low weight. The five-link rear suspension provides the driver with the ultimate in feedback and car composure.


All 1 Series models (except 130i M Sport) come as standard with 195 / 55 VR16 Run-flat tyres fitted to 6.5J x 16 wheels or 7J x 16 wheels, but a wide choice of alloy wheel options up to 8J x 17 with 225 / 40 R18 tyres are available.

The latest version of Active Steering is offered on the 1 Series featuring further refinements of the system that offers drivers a variable steering ratio. The system allows for greater manoeuvrability at lower speeds while still delivering increased levels of stability at higher speeds. Active Steering is currently only offered on 120d and 130i models.


Additionally M Sport models fitted with Active Steering have had the set-up further tuned by BMW M GmbH in Garching, Germany, to cater for that model’s high performance parameters. Non-Active Steering fitted cars come with a standard rack and pinion set-up with Electric Power Steering assistance.


Active chassis


The BMW 1 Series comes with Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) as standard. This system comprises functions such as ABS and Automatic Stability Control to prevent the drive wheels from spinning while the car is accelerating. It includes Cornering Brake Control that stabilises the car when applying the brakes in a bend. DSC prevents the car from oversteering or understeering, simply by reducing engine power or applying the brakes specifically on individual wheels as required.

 


Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) is a sub-function of DSC which offers two further capabilities. Accessed by one push of the DSC button, DTC allows for a 10 per cent greater degree of wheel slip than with DSC. This enables the 1 Series to continue a degree of forward motion on slippery surfaces such as snow and ice when pulling away. Without this DSC would instantly cut in and prevent forward movement. DTC also allows the driver to indulge in more spirited driving without electronic interruption.


Fitted as standard to the six-cylinder engined BMW 130i M Sport, DSC+ offers five additional safety features:


  • Brake Drying gently applies the pads to the discs in wet conditions to clear a film of water and prepare the car for more effective braking.
  • Brake Pre-tensioning recognises the driver’s foot coming off the accelerator in preparation for an emergency stop and readies the brakes.
  • Soft stop releases brake pressure just before the car comes to a halt in order to avoid a jolt on stopping.
  • Hill-start Assistant applies the brakes for a short time when starting off on a gradient to prevent the car rolling back.
  • Brake Fade Compensation recognises brake temperature rises and automatically increases brake pressure to prevent any fading.


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Design


To herald the introduction of the latest generation of engines, BMW’s designers have refreshed the interior and exterior styling of the BMW 1 Series. The car now features a larger kidney grille for improved airflow to the engine. The lower front spoiler has also been reprofiled to create a larger air intake, while the spoiler protrudes further for a more pronounced, sporting look. The headlamp cluster remains the same size but a darker cover gives a subtle, more distinguished, front end.

At the rear a restyled bumper gives the impression of a wider, lower car, while the rear lamps have been redesigned to also accentuate the car’s width and poise.


The new three-door 1 Series features the same styling cues but its side view is naturally different. The passenger doors are longer than those on the five-door model and are frameless, in the style of a coupé. Inside, customers will be able to choose between either a four-seat or a five-seat configuration. The five-seat arrangement is standard but a four-seat configuration can be specified as a no-cost option. With this option selected the rear passengers are separated by a central storage compartment and sit in more sculptured seats. The introduction of higher quality materials and minor changes to the layout of the interior enhance customer comfort and practicality.


For optimum practicality the BMW 1 Series’ luggage compartment can be extended to cater for differing loads. With all seats in place the boot volume is 330 litres, but with 60:40 split rear seats lowered this increases to 1,150 litres.


The new 1 Series comes with the option of USB stick and MP3 playback capability for the best in-car entertainment. With their favourite music loaded on an Apple iPod or a USB stick customers can now plug these devices into the car to continue their listening. Tracks are selected via steering wheel controls or the iDrive system.


Safety


The 1 Series comes with six airbags with the front two being intelligent dual stage airbags. In the event of an accident, seat-belt latch tensioners and belt force limiters help restrain the occupants while the control unit shuts off power from the battery, deactivates the fuel pump, unlocks all the doors and switches on the hazard lights. For children’s safety, ISOFIX child seats are standard on the two outer seats in the rear and the front seat. The front passenger airbag can be deactivated as required.


The BMW 1 Series has been awarded five stars in the Euro NCAP crash test. Protection comes not only from the extremely stiff structure and the use of crumple zones but also energy absorbing materials.


The highest levels of safety can be further enhanced with the specifying of optional Adaptive Headlights. These turn the main headlight beam in the same direction as the steering wheel for optimum illumination on winding roads. This function is provided by a special mechanism moving the bi-Xenon modules in accordance with the car’s steering angle, lateral acceleration and road speed.


In addition to this the BMW 1 Series also comes as standard with Cornering Lights function. Following the same principle as the Adaptive Headlights this function is activated at speeds up to 25 mph and uses the foglights to turn to their extreme position facing left or right depending on steering input to illuminate kerb edges and side turnings.