BMW 1-Series: Eco smarts at entry level

The new BMW 1-Series. Photo / Supplied

On-board eco options maximise town-and-around fuel efficiency for roomier entry-level model range the new BMW 1-Series Urban Line has a premium look with V-shaped bonnet contours and reworked LED tail-lights.

BMW is using its most fuel-efficient engine yet to sweeten entry to the new 1-Series range, the carmaker's smallest model apart from the Mini.

It's a 2-litre, four-cylinder turbodiesel unit under the bonnet of the car badged 116d. It is not expected until a year or so into the production cycle but the carmaker claims it is good for town-and-around consumption of 3.8 litres/100km, or 74mpg.

It carries a CO2 exhaust emissions rating of 99g per kilometre, the first BMW to drop below the 100g/km barrier.

The engine most likely to arrive in New Zealand first is also a 2-litre diesel with a claimed fuel economy of 4.2 litres/100km, or 66mpg, and a CO2 rating of 114g/km.

It will be joined by more powerful variants of the same capacity oil-burner, delivering between 107kW and 137kW, about 5 litres/100km and 118g/km.

About 60 per cent of BMW sales in New Zealand these days are diesels; the 1-Series is expected to land here later this year.

Completing the 1-Series range is a new generation of twin-turbocharged, direct-injection 1.6-litre petrol engines, available as the 118i, with 125kW, and the 116i, with 102kW. Both have a CO2 rating of 134g/km.

For the first time in this class, the 1-Series is available with an optional eight-speed automatic, although the option is yet to be confirmed for New Zealand.

As well as offering smooth, quick shifts, the new gearbox is more efficient than the manual models, says BMW.

Fuel-saving start-stop is offered across the range, along with a new feature called Eco Pro that tweaks various on-board systems to maximise efficiency.

Eco Pro also adjusts throttle response to encourage eco-minded driving, spelling out the gains to the driver on in-car displays. The set-up limits the use of the air-conditioning, heated mirrors and seats.

The carmaker has taken an evolutionary approach to the 1-Series, with a look influenced by the 5-Series and 6-Series models, noticeable up front with the V-shaped bonnet contours, and at the rear with reworked LED tail-lights for a more premium feel. Flared wheel arches make the 1-Series appear lower and wider, too.

Inside, the cabin is more luxurious and spacious thanks largely to a 30mm-longer wheelbase that boosts legroom in the rear by 20mm.

Quality and ease of use are said to be up to BMW's high standards. The dashboard is trimmed in soft-touch plastics and there's a generous amount of leather. Silver satin trim and cloth seats are fitted as standard, with leather or sports chairs offered as options.

Boot space has also increased from 330 to 360 litres, with maximum capacity now at 1200 litres. Three normal and five metallic exterior paint colours are available.

Other additions to the standard specification include a leather-covered steering wheel, chrome exhaust and keyless start.

SE models add a pop-up high-resolution 6.5-inch flatscreen monitor, with operation via iDrive. There is also Bluetooth hands-free with USB connectivity and a multifunction leather wheel complete with a speed limiter.

BMW is apparently keen to offer more customisation on the new 1-Series, something it has done with the Mini. The personal touch has yet to be confirmed for New Zealand.