The all-new BMW 1 Series grows a bit, and gets all the attention

Here’s the one-two-three punch: The 1 Series has become the second-most popular BMW brand after the 3 Series. Easy to remember, huh? Let’s add a little jab to that. The 1 Series has been top-of-mind for BMW since ’04.

Since its inception, the BMW 1 Series has redefined the hotly contested compact class, sweeping the market’s attention with its aggressive looks and sophisticated technology. As the “BMW” book by Rainer W. Schlegelmilch et al. states, the 1 Series has “a long wheelbase, short overhangs and no high build, instead a car that, with a drag coefficient of 0.29, is aerodynamically a sports car.”

The all-new BMW 1 series has just recently been launched in the Philippines by official distributor Asian Carmakers Corp. (ACC). This writer, along with a couple of other lucky chaps in the local motoring media, had the chance to test-drive this car in Germany four months ago. We experienced firsthand how BMW designers and engineers had addressed some of the fundamental concerns arising from the previous 1 Series, such as space, drive and ride quality. And for good measure, BMW also threw in a nice extra: The new 1 Series now also costs less to run.

Initially, three variants have been introduced for the Philippine market: The BMW 116i, BMW 118d Urban Line and BMW 118d Sport Line. This 1 Series is the first model to be offered with the BMW Sport Line and BMW Urban Line.

With this, ACC sees this second-generation 1 Series widening its lead even more in the entry-level premium cars in the country (locally, its fiercest competitors are the Audi A3 and the Mercedes Benz B-Class). For ACC, however, there is no competition, as it sees the 1 Series, which accounts for 15 percent of the company’s entire sales, as lording it over its class in all possible ways.

During the launch, ACC president Maricar Cristobal Parco said: “The premium compact BMW 1 Series is already synonymous with driving pleasure. Now, the All New BMW 1 Series offers state-of-the-art engine and suspension technology, further improvements in fuel efficiency, significantly more space and an innovative range of features and equipment.”

Glen Dasig, ACC’s sales and marketing executive director, said that the term “entry-level” may no longer be relevant with the All-New 1 Series, which is just as expected.

“Before, people used to say, this is the most affordable, but (not) the ‘latest and the greatest.’ But this one, you get the new engines even prior to the 3 Series (the new 1.6 engine), better horsepower but better fuel consumption. The 118d has better horsepower than the previous one; it’s a two-liter (engine) with better fuel consumption.”

Aside from that, what come as standard on the 1 Series are efficient dynamics, auto-start and stop (from the entry level model), idrive, 8-speed automatic transmission, brake regeneration system, optimum shift indicator, and eco pro mode. Dasig was prompted to quip in the vernacular: “Sobrang sulit.”

So, how “sulit” is “sulit”? Packed with all-new features, the 116i goes for P2,290,000. Add P200,000 and you get the prestigious Lines: the 118d Urban Line (P2,490,000). Add another P200,000 and you get the 118d Sport Line (P2,690,000).

Die-hard fans of BMW, obviously, want to get their hands on the All-New 1 Series. But with so many features, the new 1 Series offers so many reasons for the market. Here are some of them:

— Multiple driving modes. In our test drive in Germany, through Linthe (at Adac Safety Driving Center) and Berlin, the experience gave us the opportunity to finally toy around with the four drive modes: Sport, Sport Plus, Comfort and Eco Pro. The unanimous verdict had been that this, indeed, is a technically endowed car, and that the term “entry-level” is a misnomer, indeed.

The BMW EfficientDynamics technologies, fitted as standard, include Brake Energy Regeneration and electromechanical servo-assisted steering, and tires with reduced rolling resistance.

The Automatic start/stop function comes as standard with the automatic transmission. Using the driving experience switch, drivers can activate ECO PRO mode, which is designed to facilitate a particularly economical driving style. The Start-Stop technology does take a while to get used to, what with the awareness that the car’s engine “dies” on you during idling times or at stoplights. That feeling of unease is relieved as soon as the foot steps on the gas pedal and the engine is resurrected.

The Start-Stop technology also readjusts the power needs of the car, such as the air-conditioning system. The special starter system’s layout has also been redesigned to accommodate the substantially increased number of times the starter system would be activated by the Start-Stop technology. BMW engineers have also re-thought the wet battery technology, virtually replacing this with a special battery that holds more potential energy.

The 8-speed automatic transmission is standard—the only car in the compact segment to offer this. This makes it possible for the car to engage/disengage gears faster and smoother, with consideration to fuel efficiency.

The new generation 4-cylinder gasoline and diesel engines with the BMW TwinPower Turbo technology is featured. Its TwinPower Turbo technology has been designed by its engineers to combine sporty power with exceptionally low fuel consumption and emissions (combined-cycle fuel consumption has been reduced to between 4.5 and 4.6 liters per 100 km, with CO2 emissions of 119 to 122 grams per km, according to EU test figures).

The subtle differences between variants count a lot. Aspirational cars such as the All-New 1 Series offer those little surprises, such as the Lines concept, which offer differences and distinctions (in its Sport and Urban variants), and nice identifying touches in its interior and highlights.

Roomier than its predecessor, the All-New BMW 1 Series is longer, wider, and has more legroom, longer wheelbase and bigger luggage compartment.

The real joy about the new 1 Series can only be found by driving it, though. It’s the One to make BMW believers of us all.