2012 BMW 1-Series Coupe and Convertible

Exterior and Interior

For the exterior, the 1-Series Coupe receives a restyled front apron, a black trim strip enhancing the central under-bumper air intake, apron-integrated fog-lamps, and new vertical air intakes. A resized vertical ventilation slits in the front apron channel air into the wheel arches.

The most important changes on the exterior, however, are the restyled and more attractive headlights and rear lights. The L-shaped rear light cluster now features a new, all-red housing, while xenon headlights receive integrated LED accent lights.

Also, new for the 2012 model year are two new exterior colors: Vermilion Red and Marrakesh Brown. The exterior changes are rounded off with new 17-inch alloy wheels in star-spoke and Streamline styling, and 18-inch V-spoke alloy wheels with mixed tires.

The interior gets a sports leather steering wheel with shift paddles and an M leather steering wheel plus a new range of seat upholstery and decorative trim.

The Engine

The engine line-up remains mostly unchanged. This means customers will have to choose from two 4-cylinder diesel engines with 122 or 143 HP or a 3.0-liter 6-cylinder engine with 230 HP. The only difference is that the 135i will drop its current 3.0-liter twin-turbo in favor of a twin-scroll turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine that delivers the same 300 HP and 300 lbs-ft of torque. This change will allow for a better throttle response and even more fuel efficiency.

The new model will be offered with a standard six-speed manual transmission, but customers will also have the option of a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT).

The Competition

The new BMW 1-Series joins some stiff competition on the market with the Audi TT - also offered in both coupe and convertible - and the Infiniti G37 offered in two distinctive versions.

While the Infiniti G is mostly offered for customers looking for luxury, the real battle will be between the 1-Series and the TT. Both models are sporty and offer the same amount of interior convenience. However, the TT is considered a girly car, while the 1-Series looks much more aggressive. We guess it comes down to customer preference.

When Can I Buy One?

The 2012 BMW 1-Series will make its world debut at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show with sales to begin shortly after. Prices will be announced at a later date.

Press release

Outstanding efficiency and sporty driving enjoyment are hallmarks of the BMW 1 Series Coupe and the BMW 1 Series Convertible premium compact-class models. These two-door BMW 1 Series models will be adding to their sporty and elegant appeal in model year 2011 with some carefully selected design modifications, optimised aerodynamics and attractive equipment features. A restyled front apron now showcases the typical BMW personality even more effectively. The central under-bumper air intake is strikingly enhanced by a black trim strip, and the sporty theme continues with the apron-integrated foglamps and the new vertical air intakes, which are mounted well to the outside.

The resized vertical ventilation slits in the front apron channel air into the wheel arches to create a kind of "air curtain" or aerodynamic screening effect across the face of the front wheels, which significantly reduces drag in this area. The Air Curtain is a further step in BMW’s pioneering EfficientDynamics programme. In combination with Brake Energy Regeneration, the Auto Start- Stop function, the gear shift indicator and on-demand control of auxiliary units, it has a further positive impact on fuel consumption and emissions.

New accents on the lighting front: bold and instantly recognizable.

Both the new BMW 1 Series Coupe and the new BMW 1 Series Convertible come with restyled and even more attractive headlights and rear lights. The detailed reworking of the main headlight unit is further enhanced by an accent strip which runs across the top of the twin headlights. The L-shaped rear light cluster, which now features a new, all-red housing, makes a particularly powerful statement, while xenon headlights with integrated LED accent lights (daytime running lights) and LED strips in the rear lights create the typical, instantly identifiable BMW night-time look.

Further fresh new touches are added by the extended range of exterior paintwork colours and wheel styles. Two bright metallic paintwork colours - Vermilion Red and Marrakesh Brown - add to the exclusive appeal of the BMW 1 Series Coupe and BMW 1 Series Convertible. New 17-inch alloy wheels in star-spoke and Streamline styling, and 18-inch V-spoke alloy wheels with mixed tyres, highlight the distinctive character of these two models, which also happen to be the only rear-wheel-drive cars in the compact segment. Even the entry-level BMW 1 Series Convertible 118i will now run on 16-inch V-spoke alloy wheels as standard.

New upholstery: improved interior customization.

The sporty and exclusive interior feel has been further heightened by new, carefully coordinated interior trim features. The range of seat upholstery and decorative trim features has been extensively revised. The new upholstery options for the BMW 1 Series Coupe and BMW 1 Series Convertible comprise "Network" fabric upholstery in Magma Brown, and Oyster or Savanna Beige "Boston" leather. Other new interior options are a sports leather steering wheel with shift paddles and an M leather steering wheel, again with shift paddles.

On all models, regardless of specification, BMW has now improved the markings on the DSC button in the instrument panel by replacing the letters DSC (Dynamic Stability control) with a new international symbol. On all BMW 1 Series Coupe and BMW 1 Series Convertible models, the standard-version interior now includes a wide range of features that further reinforce the strong sense of quality and refinement. For example, the light control centre and the climate control panel in the centre console now feature elegant chrome edging. The interior trim strip range has been revised and now includes an Alpine White version.