The new three-door BMW 1 Series. Sporty individualist in compact format.

Singapore. BMW Asia has announced the arrival of the sporty and elegant BMW 1 Series which now comes in a three-door edition. This is only the second body variant added to the new BMW 1 Series that impressively underscores the compact model‟s sporting characteristics.

Available in Singapore in the BMW 118i M Sport variant, the new variant offers a powerful, brand-typical proportion that adds to its unique appearance thanks to its dynamically stretched side line, wide doors with frameless windows, and powerfully contoured side panels with particularly distinctive accentuation of the rear wheel arches.

“Since its launch in Singapore, the entry-level BMW 1 Series has struck a chord with the local audience through its ability to provide a compact package comprising of enhanced driving pleasure, greater fuel efficiency, added space and an innovative range of features and equipment,” said Mr Neil Fiorentinos, Managing Director of BMW Group Asia. “Now with a three-door version, the new BMW 118i M Sport is set to attract a younger audience who are after something sporty.”

“Further, with the introduction of the Carbon Emissions-based Vehicle Scheme in Singapore, the BMW 118i M Sport three-door falls under the $10,000 rebate banding (134 g/km, EU combined test cycle), which adds to the overall attractiveness that this sporty model entails,” added Mr Fiorentinos.

Design: sporty elegance as a sign of intense driving pleasure.

The new three-door BMW 1 Series is immediately recognisable as a dynamic and athletic individualist in the premium compact segment. The long bonnet, the aft-set passenger compartment and short overhangs are typical design elements that make this vehicle a genuine BMW when viewed from any angle. Yet at the same time, the new BMW 1 Series has its own young and sporty design language, giving the compact three-door model an individual personality of its very own. When viewed from the side, the flowing lines of the body exemplify the vehicle’s athletic grace. This sporty and elegant appearance authentically expresses the balance of agility and comfort that is epitomised by this vehicle.

When compared with its predecessor, the new model offers more than good looks and improved performance and handling – there is even more interior space. This has been achieved by intelligently expanding the exterior dimensions and proportions of the new model. The length of the new three-door BMW 1 Series is 4,324 millimetres (85 millimetres longer than before), with a wheelbase of 2,690 millimetres (30 millimetres longer) and an overall width of 1,765 millimetres (17 millimetres wider) – the height is still 1,421 millimetres. Thus the track width has been extended (front: + 51 millimetres, rear: +72 millimetres), and there is more rear legroom (+21 millimetres) and a luggage compartment with a volume of 360 litres (30 litres more than in the predecessor model).

Like the 5-door model, the front of the new three-door BMW 1 Series is dominated by the large BMW kidney grille, the contoured headlight units and a three-part air intake. The grille leans forward to underscore the dynamic character of the new compact model, and the three-dimensional surfaces surrounding the kidney create vibrant light effects. The upper edge of the dual round headlights is partially covered by accentuating trim, or with LED accent lighting as the vehicle is equipped with standard Bi-Xenon headlights. The front turn indicators are integrated in the inner light rings of the headlights; the side indicators are integrated in the exterior mirrors.

The characteristic attribute of the body styling of the three-door model is seen in the sporty and elegant side profile of the vehicle, which is dominated by the wide doors. The frameless door windows and the rear side windows form a consistent and holistic visual element that extends into the rear end, thus emphasising the dynamic appearance of the vehicle. This impression is further underlined by a visible curved indentation near the Hofmeister kink at the base of the C pillar. This makes the extended roofline appear extremely flat. The protruding contoured edge of the side skirt and the sweeping line along the lower door surface suggest dynamic forward motion combined with a road-hugging stance. The characteristic drive concept of the compact BMW can be seen in the bold styling of the rear wheel arches.

The wide rear quarter panels end flush with the wheels so that the powerful stature of the new three-door BMW 1 Series is distinctly highlighted when viewed from the rear. The tail lights, which are positioned far to each side, are surrounded by a three-dimensional bezel. If the vehicle is

equipped with the standard Bi-Xenon headlights, the package also includes tail lights that are comprised of L-shaped LED light banks. The third brake light is integrated in the roof spoiler. The contours of both the rear apron and the front bumper are dominated by V-shaped lines that draw the eye down toward the road surface, creating a perspective that emphasises the stable and road-hugging stance of the new three-door BMW 1 Series.

Premium interior ambience and driver-centric cockpit.

The dynamic lines and surface contours of the driver-centric cockpit are typical BMW and create a sense of forward thrust and movement – all interior elements are made of premium materials which add to the upscale flair of the new three-door BMW 1 Series. The design of the spacious interior is sporty and functional, just perfect for sheer driving pleasure. The instrument panel, centre console and door panels reflect the layering concept that dominates the look and feel of the interior. These component sections overlap to create the impression of a holistic and organic structure comprised of matching individual modules.

In conjunction with an optional navigation system and the BMW Professional radio, the new three-door BMW 1 Series is equipped with the BMW iDrive control system. In addition to the controller located on the centre console, the system features a freestanding flat-screen monitor and a control display measuring 6.5 inches is integrated in the instrument panel.

The 360-litre luggage compartment can be expanded up to 1,200 litres by folding down the 60: 40 split rear seat back-rests. With through-loading system as standard, the rear backrest can be folded down in a 40: 20: 40 configuration.

Powered by BMW TwinPower Turbo technology.

The 1.6-litre petrol engine found in the BMW 118i is driven by BMW TwinPower Turbo technology, consisting of a twin-scroll turbocharger, High Precision Injection, VALVETRONIC and Double-VANOS. The forced-induction system uses the twin-scroll principle, with separate ducts both in the exhaust manifold and the turbocharger itself, each serving one pair of two cylinders. Output is also boosted by VALVETRONIC variable valve control, which is fully integrated into the cylinder head, and Double-VANOS variable camshaft control on the intake and exhaust sides. The new petrol engines are also highly fuel-efficient, thanks mainly to High Precision Injection.

The four-cylinder engine of the new BMW 118i, which has an all-aluminium crankcase, has a maximum output of 170 hp at 4,800 rpm, and a maximum torque of 250 Nm at between 1,500 and 4,500 rpm. It is exceptionally responsive, accelerating the car from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.2 seconds and on to a maximum speed of 222 km/h. Improved efficiency is reflected in combined-cycle fuel consumption of 5.8 litres per 100 kilometres and CO2 emissions of 134 grams per kilometre (EU combined test cycle).

Advanced suspension technology for an optimum balance of agility and ride comfort.

Advanced suspension technology, which includes a double-joint spring-strut front axle with stabilisers and a five-arm rear axle, in conjunction with the precise electromechanical power steering and the significantly wider track in comparison to the previous model, ensures sporty agility and excellent ride comfort in exactly the right proportions. The high proportion of aluminium used in the manufacture of the front axle ensures an effective reduction in the unsprung masses. The weight of the vehicle is almost perfectly balanced between the two axles; this 50: 50 ratio emphasises the inherent dynamic benefits of a rear-wheel drive vehicle, translating them into an exquisitely agile driving experience. Servotronic, the speed-dependent steering support system comes standard while Variable Sports Steering is available as an option. The Sports Steering reduces the degree of steering movement required to turn the front wheels by means of a variable rack and pinion setup. Parking and turning maneuvers can thus be carried out safely and comfortably with a minimum of steering effort. However at higher speeds, the legendary BMW steering precision and line-holding characteristics on straight roads are of course guaranteed. Also available optionally in the range of special equipment is an Adaptive Suspension System with electronically controlled dampers and an M Sports Suspension; both of these involve lowering the vehicle by ten millimetres.

DSC Driving Stability Control with additional features, optimised weight and comprehensive passenger protection.

The standard Dynamic Stability Control system DSC includes the anti-lock braking system (ABS), the Dynamic Traction Control system (DTC), the Cornering Brake Control system (CBC) and the Dynamic Brake Control system (DBC). These capabilities are now complemented by additional features such as the Brake Assistant, Fading Compensation, Dry Braking functionality and a Hill Start Assistant. In DTC mode, the response thresholds of the driving stability control system are automatically set at a higher level. This makes pulling away on loose sand or in deep snow far easier. In addition, controlled slippage on the drive wheels gives the vehicle the ability to dynamically oversteer when negotiating bends. When DSC mode is off, the Active Differential Brake (ADB-Sport) on the rear axle is activated. To optimise traction during acceleration in tight bends, a carefully calculated braking force is applied to any drive wheel which the system detects as slipping, to enable the remaining drive wheel on the axle to continue to power the vehicle forwards.

The principle of intelligent lightweight design, upon which the construction of the body is based, greatly enhances both the agility of the vehicle and the safety of its passengers. The targeted use of high-strength and ultra-high tensile grades of steel increases the torsional stiffness of the body, as well as the strength of the passenger safety cell, at an optimised weight. With large, generously dimensioned deformation zones and precisely calculated load paths, the considerable forces which are generated in a collision are absorbed and directed away from the passenger compartment. Standard safety equipment includes front airbags, side airbags integrated into the seat backs, head airbags for both the front and the rear seats, three-point automatic seatbelts fitted to all seats, belt force limiters and belt tensioners for the front, and ISOFIX child seat mountings in the rear.

Standard equipment: Driving Experience Control with ECO PRO mode.

The standard Driving Experience Control button located on the centre console allows the driver to select an individual level of tuning for the vehicle. In addition to the engine characteristics and the Driving Stability Control system DSC, the characteristics of the Servotronic system and the shift program as well as the shift dynamics of the optional automatic transmission can also be finely tuned. Complementing the COMFORT, SPORT and SPORT + modes, the ECO PRO mode is also available as standard, in conjunction with the eight-speed automatic sports transmission, the Variable Sports Steering or the BMW Sport Line. In vehicles equipped with the Navigation System Professional, the sport indicators on the control display keep the driver abreast of current engine performance and torque levels.

High-quality range of standard equipment including air conditioning and keyless engine start.

As an exceptionally sporty example of a compact premium vehicle, the BMW 1 Series three-door car sets new standards in pioneering technology, driving pleasure, quality and spirited, expressive design. The calibre of this first-class vehicle is reflected in the generous range of standard equipment and the extensive selection of attractive options available. The new three-door BMW 1 Series comes equipped with a multifunctional steering wheel, 18-inch M light alloy wheels, M Sport brake, M Sport suspension, M leather steering wheel, M Aerodynamics package, and Comfort Access system that automatically locks and unlocks the vehicle, just to name a few.

The new BMW 118i M Sport three-door is now available for viewing at Performance Motors’ showrooms.

For more information on BMW vehicles, contact:

Performance Motors Limited
303 Alexandra Road
Singapore 159941
Showrom: 1800-CALL-BMW (1800-2255-269)
Service:     6319 0111
http://www.pml.com.sg