BMW 1 Series is Strange

BMW unveiled the redesigned 1 Series with a fresh look and updated features globally. While the design team aimed for an evolution, some changes might raise eyebrows. That said, the entire range of 1 Series is a forbidden fruit for us Indians.

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New Design Language

The most striking change is the new grille, which incorporates large black sections for advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS). While not as dramatic as some recent BMW grilles, it's a departure from the previous design. The M Sport variant adds a more aggressive look with bigger air dams, side skirts, and a rear diffuser.

At the back, BMW ditches the "i" designation for petrol models. So, the "M135i" becomes simply "M135," but with a confusing font size where "M1" is larger than "35." However this might be very unlikely lead to comparisons with the legendary M1 supercar. Further blurring the lines, the M135 gets quad exhaust pipes and M mirrors despite being an M Sport variant.

Tech Upgrade

The interior gets a major overhaul with a large curved display dominating the dashboard. This houses a 10.25-inch infotainment screen and a 10.7-inch digital instrument cluster, running the latest BMW OS 9 with over-the-air update capability. However, in favor of aesthetics, physical buttons are nearly eliminated. Climate controls are now part of the infotainment system, and the gear selector is replaced with a toggle switch. Environmentally conscious buyers can opt for vegan leather upholstery.

Engine Options

Several engine options are available, including a 1.5-liter three-cylinder, a 2.0-liter four-cylinder diesel, and a powerful 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder in the top-of-the-line M135 xDrive. All engines are paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. The M135 xDrive boasts 300 horsepower and all-wheel drive, achieving 0-100 kmph in a scorching 4.9 seconds, and it upto to you if you give it a pass as a hot hatch.

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