If you are a BMW lover, then you have heard of or even driven a BMW 1 series. While seeking to design the one series, BMW thought of taking on the concept design of the Rover R30. After much deliberation, however, the German automaker decided to develop the 1 series along the E90 3 Series. This is why you are likely to notice that about 60% of components in the 1 Series can be found in the E90. The BMW 1 Series (E81, E82, E87, E88), for example, has similar front and rear suspension, chassis, powertrain, hardware elements, structure and even electronic elements as the E90 3 Series. The E8x models took over as the smallest and most affordable vehicle in the BMW vehicle range. A title previously held by the 3 series compact.
Since the BMW 1 Series has a wide range of cars, you will get different engine specifications. These include;
*A 1.6L I4 engine
*Twin Turbo diesel engine
*2.0L diesel engine
*2.0L I4
*3.0L I6
*A single and twin-turbo engine (both 3.0L I6)
Being an entry-level model range, the 1 series is a rather small vehicle. Also, most of the cars in the field are rear-wheel drive (RWD) except the F52 sedan that has the alternative Front-wheel drive (FWD). Some models in the series have an optional All-Wheel Drive (AWD). While the first generation of the one series had the coupe, hatchback, and even the convertible style, second-generation BMW 1 series cars only include the hatchback body style. The automotive company decided to market the coupe and convertible models like the BMW 2 series.
The company also manufactured an M version, i.e. the BMW 1 Series M Coupe. BMW M2 later replaced this.
Developing and Launching the BMW 1 Series
Initial designs for the BMW 1 Series were developed by Christopher Chapman, who worked under Chris Bangle, a renowned design director. Although the plans were completed in 2001, it was not until the following year when the CS1 Concept unveiled the 1 Series design. This launch was done at the Geneva Motor Show. However, the first 1 series vehicles to be produced, the E87, was launched in 2004 during the Paris Motor Show.
Body Styles
The 1 Series range has several body styles for its different models. These include;
The Five-door hatchback
The first model in the 1 Series was the E87, a 5-door hatchback. This model (E87) started production in 2004 till 2011 with its model ranges including the
· 116i
· 116d
· 118i
· 118d
· 120i
· 120d
· 123d
· 130i
The Kerb weight for this model is 1340kg
Three-door hatchback
Made from July 2007 until 2012, the E81 was designed as a three-door hatchback. Like the 5-door body type, it's model range included;
· 116i
· 116d
· 118i
· 118d
· 120i
· 120d
· 123d
· 130i
It has a lighter kerb weight than the 5-door style (1330kg).
Two-door coupe
Launched at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2007, the E82 is the Coupe in the Series. It has a 2-door body style with an array of model ranges including a 1 Series M Coupe. Production of the E82 spanned about six years and ended in August 2013.
Two-door Convertible
The convertible E88 model started production from 2007 to about June 2013. Unlike the E93 convertible, the E88 adopted a folding fabric roof as opposed to a metal roof.
Model Range
First Generation
The first generation of the BMW 1 Series model consisted of the E81, E82, E87 and the E88. It was produced from 2004 to 2013 it then went on to replace the 3 series compact model as the most cost-friendly and smallest BMW car. Each of the five models has a different body style with the E81 having a 3-door hatchback while the E87 models had a 5-door hatchback. The E82, on the other hand, has a 2-door coupe style but the E88 comes in a 2-door convertible form.
You also get the option of four-cylinder diesel and 4/6-cylinder petrol engine with both of them being turbocharged. Unlike other hatchback models in the market, the first-generation BMW 1 series models use Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD).
Second Generation
Unveiled in 2011, the F20/F21 models are the 2nd generation of the BMW 1 Series. The two have different body styles with the F21 adopting a 3-door hatchback while the F20 takes a 5-door hatchback. Initially, the F20/F21 models were powered by 4-cylinder petrol and diesel engines and a 6-cylinder petrol engine with all of them being turbocharged. However, 3-cylinder diesel and petrol engines were later included in the 2nd generation models. They also adopted a Rear-Wheel Drive and were the first 1 series to get an All-Wheel-Drive option.
Sometime in 2015, the 1 series got a comprehensive facelift in the rear of the vehicle. The M140i was also released during this period and featured a 6-cylinder, 3.0-litre engine that produced about 340hp.
1 Series Sedan
Specially made for the Chinese automobile market, BMW initiated the production of the 1 Series (F52) in 2017. It is a four-door sedan that was manufactured by BMW brilliance, a partnership between the German carmaker and Brilliance Auto. A unique feature of this model is that it has a front-wheel drive.
Third Generation
The third generation of 1 series (F40) was redesigned in 2019 to include the UKL2 Four-Wheel drive platform created for the F60 countryman and the X1 (F48). This model will have five engines with its base model being the 116d and the M135i as the range-topping model. Other key transmission features in the model range include a seven-speed dual-clutch and eight-speed automatic. You can also get a six-speed manual transmission.