The BMW 1 Series is the German company's entry-level vehicle, but it's not because it's the baby of the range in which it drives. equipped. Indeed, if you're ready to open your wallet, you can fill the BMW 1 Series with flagship automotive tech, but even if you don't go crazy, there's a solid foundation of features you can take advantage of. While the 1 Series starts at €24,430, we got behind the wheel of the M Sport, which starts at €27,230. However, once the different packages were added, including two technology packs, the starting price of our particular model hit €35,185. So it's not really cheap, but the BMW 1 Series is not a budget car, it's a high-end compact vehicle with a lot to offer.
Design and operation of the BMW 1 Series.
We drive
(Image credit: TechRadar) BMW F40 118i M Sport Engine: 1.5i petrol
Power: 140 ch
0-62 mph: 8.5 seconds
Energy efficiency: 42.8 mpg
Price: €35,185 BMW has improved the design of the 1 Series, the car now benefits from a sportier and more elegant aesthetic. Since we had the M Sport model, ours came with a rear wing to add to the sporty look. The front end is dominated by the large BMW grille, which glistens in the sun and adds to the macho stance of the car. It's a look we liked, but it's not for everyone and for those who prefer a softer, more rounded style, the Series 1 may be a bit much. Inside, and the premium feel continues, with soft-touch plastic and leather, including most of the dash and surrounding areas. It's a smart look and doesn't look too cluttered thanks to the many controls available on the large touchscreen, reducing the number of physical buttons required. It's also a comfortable place to sit, with the front sport seats rocking you well without making you too tight. They are also heated (front seats only), as is the heated steering wheel. Another nice touch is the ambient lighting in the cabin. They were set to blue by default on our Series 1, but you have the option to switch to a number of other shades, including white, red and green.
(Image credit: TechRadar) The light bars inside the doors (above) are particularly eye-catching, providing a relaxing atmosphere at night. The three seats in the rear offer enough space for children or a couple of adults, while the trunk offers adequate storage space for a few large suitcases, the weekly store or a stroller. In terms of driving, we had the 6-speed manual at our disposal, and with the 1.5-litre engine, the 1-Series offered efficient speed off the line and its light, agile steering made it easy to move around corners. You can also cruise comfortably at high speed and the insulated cabin ensures that road noise is minimized for a relaxing experience. Hit the Sport button and the suspension stiffens up and there's a little more juice in the gas pedal if you're feeling fancier. One small problem we had was putting the car on reserve. You must push the shift lever all the way to the left, but slightly down, before driving. It sounds relatively easy, but in practice it's far from a smooth experience. It will take some time to master it. Image 1 of 8
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Specifications and technology of the BMW 1 Series
The BMW 1 Series is one of the cars that advances technology on board, and this can be seen from something as simple as its USB ports. There are four in total, but only one, the port between the cup holders and the wireless phone charger, is the traditional size. The other three (one under the center armrest, the other two accessible to rear passengers) are all USB-C ports. This newer port allows for faster charging and is slowly being adopted by phone manufacturers. What this means, however, is that you'll probably have to buy a new charging cable for your phone if you want to use these USB-C ports; however, very few smartphones come with a proper cable. 39, is likely to improve in the coming years. However, cables are not expensive and once you have them, you can enjoy faster charging in your car. Compatible with most wireless charging phones, including newer iPhones, the wireless charger is angled and requires you to slide your phone down where it will hold it in place. This prevents your phone from slipping off while you're on the go, ensuring a constant charge.
(Image credit: TechRadar) Calling attention to the large 10.25-inch screen in the center console, we found BMW's interface to be relatively intuitive, easy to use, and responsive. It's easy to enter a destination into navigation (navigation is very good), find a digital radio station, or connect your smartphone via Bluetooth which allows you to make and receive hands-free calls, as well as stream from music on the set. 1 & # 39; audio system When it comes to audio, our Series 1's upgraded Harman/Kardon speaker system delivers beautifully clean sound, with a powerful subwoofer providing deep bass reverberation. If you prefer physical controls, the BMW 1 Series retains the iDrive control dial next to the gear stick, though we found it to be an awkward way to scroll through the options on the screen. Most of the time, using our fingers on the touch screen was much faster. You don't have to use the BMW interface because the 1 Series is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. And what's even better is that it supports wireless connectivity for these services, which means you don't even have to find a USB cable to use them. That means you can get your phone's key apps — like Apple Maps, Google Maps, Spotify, messages and more — right on the car's main screen with a minimum of fuss. Image 1 of 4
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(Image credit: TechRadar) There's another display too, with an 8.8-inch screen behind the wheel giving you a wealth of useful information. Speed and revs are standard and flank a sat-nav map that provides clear turn-by-turn directions. We're not there either, as it's also possible to get a HUD (heads up display) on the 1 Series, which sees additional information projected onto the windshield. When you look at the car, this information appears to be hovering just above the hood, not high enough to be on your way, but close enough to your line of sight to safely check your speed or next direction. In sport mode you also get a speed bar, which allows you to define these gear changes. The steering wheel comes with additional buttons, allowing you to adjust the volume and skip tracks, as well as switch the audio input between the likes of your phone and the radio. Cruise control settings are also available on the steering wheel, making it easy to adjust the cruise limit. Image 1 of 3
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(Image credit: TechRadar) Less flashy, but certainly useful features include climate control, lane change assist, automatic wipers and lights, and blind-spot warning lights in the door mirrors, which make driving easier. of the BMW 1 Series. When you are successful in reversing the car in reverse, you will find a good quality rear camera to guide you in places and sensors around the vehicle to make sure you don't have a nasty collision. If you're ready to spend some money on optional technology packages, the BMW 1 Series can offer you a wide range of features and gadgets, there are even options for voice and gesture control. if you feel particularly flushed. It's not just about flashy toys, Series 1 also delivers on the go. It's comfortable, quiet, and with enough power and precision to deliver thrills on the road.
- John McCann takes the wheel to give you a fresh look at the wealth of automobiles, and the technology within, available today. From ultra-fast sports cars to hatchbacks, it will guide you through a range of makes, models, horsepower, and price tags in your regular TR Drives column.