In mid 2011, BMW->ke178 unveiled the 1-Series Sport and Urban Line models, both of which featured five-door configurations, but what about a three-door version? We had to wait a bit to get it, but BMW finally unveiled the new 1-Series three-door line-up, with the most powerful version being the M135i.

The new BMW 1-Series three-door will be offered with a widened choice of petrol and diesel engines featuring BMW TwinPower Turbo technology. The base version is the 114i powered by a four-cylinder engine with 102 HP, while the other extreme will take you to the 125i with 218 HP. Starting November 2012, BMW will add a 170 HP 118i engine and a 184 HP 120d engine. All engine variants come with optimized six-speed manual transmissions as standard, while aneight-speed automatic transmission or eight-speed automatic sports transmission will be offered as options.

The three door 1-Series will feature the same design elements as the previously announced 1-Series model, except of course for its stretched side line, wide doors with frameless windows, and extended side sill line, underscoring the dynamically stretched character of the vehicle’s silhouette.

Updated 05/14/2012: This review has been updated with the official details and images of the BMW 1-Series 3-Door.

Hit the jump for more details on the BMW 1-Series 3-Door.

2013 BMW 1-Series 3-Door

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2013 BMW 1-Series 3-Door
  • Engine/Motor: inline-6
  • Horsepower: 218 @ 5000
  • Torque: 228 @ 1350
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

The new BMW 1-Series three-door will be offered with the same design language as its five-door version, but because of its long bonnet and lack of extra doors, it will offer a more sporty appearance. Compared to the previous version, the new 1-Series three-door has been significantly increased in its sizes, making it 4,324 millimeters long (85 millimeters longer than before), with a wheelbase of 2,690 millimeters (30 millimeters longer) and an overall width of 1,765 millimeters (17 millimeters wider). The height was maintained at 1,421 millimeters.

At the front of the three-door 1-Series is the usual large BMW kidney grille, the contoured headlight units, and a three-part air intake. The model has also received dual round headlights partially covered by accentuating trim, or with LED accent lighting if the vehicle is equipped with optional Bi-Xenon headlights. At the rear, there are new, distinctly tail lights surrounded by a three-dimensional bezel.

Interior

On the interior, all of the elements are made of premium materials and offer a sporty and functional, just perfect for sheer driving pleasure. The model will be equipped with an optional navigation system and the BMW Professional radio, as well as the new BMW iDrive control system that features a freestanding flat-screen monitor.

The new 1-Series three-door offers a 360-liter luggage compartment that can be expanded up to 1,200 liters by folding down the 60: 40split rear seat backrest.

BMW Sport Line

-the kidney grille slats, the strut and the bezels for the inlet

vents, as well as the trim on the rear bumper painted in high-gloss black

-16-inch light alloy star-spoke wheels (17-inch light alloy

bi-colour wheels available as an option)

-black trim for the exhaust pipe and door sill finishers with aluminum inserts

-"BMW Sport" lettering

-sport seats with selected upholstery,

-a sport leather steering wheel with contrasting red stitching,

-a sliding armrest,

-high-gloss black interior trim

-accent trim in matt Red Coral.

BMW Urban Line

-chrome kidney grille slats having white sides

-a white strut across the front center air intake.

-the bezels for the front inlet vents at each side are finished in the color of the vehicle

-white trim strip on the rear bumper,

-16-inch light alloy V-spoke wheels or optional 17-inch wheels with a white, gloss-lathed finish,

-door sill finishers with aluminum inserts and "BMW Urban" lettering

-cloth or leather seats,

-a sport leather steering wheel,

-a sliding armrest and interior trim made of innovative acrylic glass

-white or black with accent lines in matte Oxide Silver

Engine Line-up

The new BMW 1-Series three-door will be offered with a wide range of petrol and diesel engines, all with BMW Efficient Dynamics technology including Auto Start Stop function. They will be teamed up with manual and automatic transmissions as well as ECO PRO mode.

The base gasoline version is the 114i model. It is powered by a straight four-cylinder petrol engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology that delivers a total of 102 hp at 4000 rpm and a peak torque of 132 lbs-ft at 1100 rpm. This version will sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 11.2 seconds and up to a top speed of 119 mph. Next in the line-up is the 116i model. It gets a 1.6 liter straight four-cylinder petrol engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo and an output of 136 HP at 4350 rpm and a peak torque of 162 lbs-ft at 1350 rpm. This version will sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 8.5 seconds and up to a top speed of 130 mph.

The most powerful gasoline version is the 125i model. It gets a 2.0 liter straight four-cylinder petrol engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology and an output of 218 hp at 5 000 rpm and a peak torque of 228 lbs-ft at 1350 rpm. This version can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 6.4 seconds, while top speed is 152 mph.

The first diesel engine is found in the 116d model. It is powered by a 2.0 liter straight four-cylinder diesel engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology that delivers a total of 116 hp at 4000 rpm and a peak torque of 191 lbs-ft at 1750 rpm. The 0 to 60 mph sprint time in this case is 10.3 seconds, while top speed is 124 mph. Next, we have the 118d model with its 2.0 liter straight four-cylinder diesel engine and BMW TwinPower Turbo technology. This version delivers a total of 143 hp at 4000 rpm and a peak torque of 236 lbs-ft at 1750 rpm. The 0 to 60 mph sprint time for the 118d is 8.9 seconds and the top speed is 131 mph. Finally, the most powerful diesel version is the 125d model. It gets a 2.0 liter straight four-cylinder diesel engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology and an output of 218 hp at 4000 rpm and a peak torque of 331 lbs-ft at 1500 rpm. The 125d will sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds and will be capable of hitting a top speed of 149 mph.

All engine variants come with optimized six-speed manual transmissions as standard, while a eight-speed automatic transmission or eight-speed automatic sports transmission will be offered as options. All models will also get the Auto Start/Stop function and an ECO PRO mode, which can be activated via the Driving Experience Control button that is standard on all models.

Prices

Prices for the new BMW 1-Series will be announced at a later date.

Competition

The main competitor for the new BMW 1-Series three-door is still the Audi A3. The new A3 will be offered with one TDI and two TFSI engines, with power ranging from 122 to 180 HP. The 1-Series still has an advantage in comparison. The top version of the new 1-Series is also a bit faster: it sprints from 0 to 60 mph in just 6.5 seconds, while the A3 does it in 7.2 seconds.