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New automotive technology is being used by BMW to cut fuel costs in a new BMW’s 1-Series hatchback range which wil include a sporty three-door model later this year. Also included is an iPod docking station.
Revisions to the line-up bring this new model, plus mechanical and design changes to the continuing five-door, with sales starting in March in Europe. Not only are the new models faster and more economical, they will also be cheaper to run.The 1-Series is receiving some of BMW’s latest fuel-saving technologies; fuel consumption has been reduced by up to 24% in some models, and emissions reduced by up to 21%. Most petrol engines now feature BMW’s Bi-Vanos variable camshaft adjustment, allowing for ultra-precise control of valve opening and closing, and direct fuel injection.
The key feature is Automatic Stop-Start, in all models except the 130i; this turns the engine off when idling in neutral gear, and restarts it again when the clutch is engaged. The system can be manually switched off. Brake Energy Regeneration, as recently added to the 5-Series, captures the energy otherwise lost under deceleration and braking, and stores it in a battery; this is then used to power the alternator, reducing demand on the engine and cutting fuel consumption by 3%.
Electric power steering replaces the mechanical hydraulic system, and is said to be 90% more energy-efficient, and further tweaks include improved aerodynamics for the flaps behind the grille, which close up when the engine requires less airflow, the disconnection of the air conditioning power supply from the drivetrain when the air conditioning is not switched on, and lower rolling-resistance tyres. And just to help the driver achieve even better economy, some models have an indicator on the display screen to suggest the optimum gear for fuel-saving.
The engines now on offer are as follows:
116i (five-door only): With Bi-Vanos variable camshaft adjustment, this now produces 116bhp and 111lb ft. Top speed is 124mph, 0-60mph comes up in 10.9 seconds, and it returns 37.7mpg and 179g/km.
118i: Features Bi-Vanos and direct injection; 143bhp and 140 lb ft, 130mph, 0-60mph in 8.7 seconds (three-door) or 8.8 seconds (five-door), 47.9mpg and 140g/km.
120i: Bi-Vanos and direct injection; 170bhp and 155lb ft; 139mph, 0-60mph in 7.7 seconds (7.8 seconds for the five-door), 44.1mpg and 152g/km.
130i: Bi-Vanos and Valvetronic variable-valve timing; 265bhp and 232lb ft; 155mph, 0-60mph in 6 seconds (6.1 seconds for the five-door), 34mpg and 197g/km.
118d: Now BMW’s lowest-emissions vehicle on offer (apart from the Hydrogen 7 and Mini-brand models), and its most economical. Now giving 143bhp, 221lb ft, 130mph, 0-60mph in 8.9 seconds (9 seconds for the five-door), 60.1mpg and 123g/km.
120d: Now producing 177bhp, 258lb ft, 142mph, 0-60mph in 7.5 seconds (7.6 seconds five-door), 57.6mpg and 129g/km.
Minor styling changes have been made to the five-door, which receives a larger front grille, a larger, lower front spoiler with bigger air intake, darkened headlamp lenses, and a restyled rear bumper and taillights. The three-door has the new-look front end too, though a slightly different side profile due to its longer front doors with frameless windows.
The cabin receives “higher quality materials” and minimal changes to layout. Three-door models come in four- or five-seat configurations, with the choice of two well-bolstered rear seats and a central storage compartment or a flatter three-person bench, as in the five-door model. Standard equipment now includes dynamic stability control and traction control, six airbags, run-flat tyres and tyre pressure monitoring; the 130i has hill start assist, sports-tuned DSC, brake pre-tensioning and brake drying, brake fade compensation and soft-stop braking. New options to the range include MP3-, iPod- and USB-compatible audio systems, and improved adaptive headlights.
