Arriving in October, the update aims to build on the car’s strong sales performance and keep pace with rivals like the Audi A3 Sportback, Mercedes-Benz A-Class and Volkswagen Golf.
One of the most striking changes is the exterior design. The 1 Series gets a new, lowered, and more angular face for a commanding presence. The signature kidney grille receives a makeover, resembling the one on the 3 Series and featuring modern diagonal bars at the edges.
The M Sport and M135 models sport a simpler horizontal blacked-out grille design. The M sport variant carries an uncanny resemblance to the Ford Focus. The rear sees minimal alterations, with new two-part taillights and a lowered bumper being the most notable updates. The car’s length increases slightly to 4361mm. It is worth mentioning that while the diesel variants of the 1 Series continue to carry the ‘d’ suffix, the petrol variants drop the ‘i’ suffix, which is now reserved for electric BMW models only.
The interior is where the most significant transformation takes place. BMW’s new 20-inch Curved Display takes centre stage, housing both the digital instrument cluster and infotainment system powered by the latest OS 9 software. This shift towards a digital interface results in a drastic reduction in physical buttons, including those for climate control, which can now be accessed through the touchscreen. Material quality gets an upgrade as well, with Alcantara offered in M Sport models, while new seats promise improved comfort on long journeys.
BMW has streamlined the 1 Series lineup to just three models: the 120 Sport, 120 M Sport, and the top-of-the-line M135 xDrive. All variants ditch the manual gearbox opting for a sole seven-speed automatic transmission in a move towards simplified offerings and stricter emission regulations. The 300PS M135 xDrive sees a slight decrease of 6PS compared to its predecessor.
This streamlined approach comes at a price. With the SE entry trim eliminated, the starting price is expected to rise by around GBP 2500. While final figures haven’t been confirmed, estimates suggest the range will start at GBP 31,000 for the 120 Sport and reach GBP 42,000 for the M135 xDrive.
Overall, the revamped 1 Series promises a sportier design, a tech-centric interior, and a simplified lineup. Whether the trade-off of a reduced offering and increased price resonates with buyers remains to be seen, but the update certainly signals BMW’s intent to keep the 1 Series competitive in the hatchback segment.