BMW Group will launch the new version of the 1 Series, an entry-level model, in the domestic market. The new 1 Series is a hatchback, compact in size but excelling in driving performance and practicality. The vehicle moved nimbly in response to external conditions and boasted explosive acceleration at high speeds. Its smaller size reduces the burden of driving and parking, and the utilization of interior space is high.
The test drive of the new 1 Series took place in September last year in Munich, Germany. There was fun in changing driving styles on various roads. I experienced everything from the narrow urban alleys unique to Europe, to quiet yet winding two-lane suburban roads, the autobahn (Germany's freeway), and an open racing track. The cars driven were the basic model BMW New 120 and the high-performance model New M135 xDrive.
The new 1 Series is a completely redesigned model released four years after the third-generation model launched in 2020. The overall exterior is similar to the previous version, but the body has slightly increased in size, harmonizing a long hood (engine cover) with a short overhang (distance between the front bumper and the front axle). The length has increased by 42 mm to 4,361 mm, the height has increased by 25 mm to 1,459 mm, the wheelbase (the distance between the front and rear axle centers) is 2,670 mm, and the width is 1,800 mm.
All models of the new 1 Series are equipped with BMW's new engine, which is said to have improved both efficiency and power performance. The new 120 produces a maximum output of 170 horsepower (hp) and accelerates to 100 km/h in just 7.8 seconds. The top speed is 226 km/h. The New M135 xDrive has a maximum of 300 horsepower, accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds, and has a top speed of 250 km/h.
As I started the engine and pressed the accelerator, the vehicle responded immediately. As I accelerated, I quickly surpassed 100 km/h, handling inclines with agility. During steady high-speed driving, the vehicle felt solidly planted on the road with almost no shaking, and lane changes and direction shifts were relatively smooth.
Participating in a program developed by BMW called 'M Mixed Reality,' I experienced the vehicle's delicate steering feel and cornering performance while driving on a track. M Mixed Reality involves using virtual reality (VR) devices to drive on a real track. During the experience, an instructor sits in the passenger seat to assist with safe driving. The vehicle may be on an actual track, but from the driver's perspective with the device, it feels as if racing in a game, and during high-speed driving with sharp turns, the car maintained its center without excessively drifting outward.
During the drive, the noise from the road and wind noise occasionally disturbed my ears. In the high-performance model New M135 xDrive, the rumbling engine noise made the sounds more noticeable. Due to the limitations of the car's size, impacts and vibrations were felt when passing through potholes and uneven areas, providing a bumpy ride.
The new 1 Series is equipped with various advanced and safety features that assist in comfortable driving and parking. Although it's an option, the Parking Assistant Professional, which allows control over parking and vehicle movement using a smartphone, is a prominent feature. When I pressed the 'park' button on the smartphone application outside the car, the vehicle automatically found and reversed to a designated space, recognizing pedestrians during the parking process and stopping abruptly.
Thanks to the slight increase in body size and the larger central digital display, the interior space feels more spacious compared to the previous model. The reduction of physical buttons allows the climate control system to be operated digitally, making the openness of both the driver's and passenger's seats more prominent. The trunk capacity is a basic 380 liters (L), which expands to a maximum of 1,135 L for the New 120 and 1,200 L for the M135 xDrive when the rear seats are folded down.
The basic interior seats and materials are somewhat rough due to the use of recycled materials instead of natural leather. Although it appears similar to fabric, the seats showed impressions when sitting down, looking dirty. Questions arose about the effectiveness in preventing damage or contamination and how easy it would be to maintain and clean. Vegan leather seat options, known as Beganza, are available with the quality of natural leather.
The BMW 1 Series is a model that has especially gained popularity in Europe, where demand for hatchbacks is high. About 80% of the global sales of the 1 Series come from the European market, with Germany, Italy, and Spain being the major selling countries. The vehicle has been fully produced since July last year at the Leipzig plant in Germany and was first launched in Europe and the United States in October last year. It is scheduled to be launched in the domestic market in the first half of this year, with prices yet to be determined.