2012 BMW 1 Series Shooting For October Australian Launch

BMW's all-new 2012 1 Series is on the fast-track to an Australian launch. Its local debut is planned for October - just one month after the new hatch's international unveiling in Frankfurt.

Speaking with TMR today, BMW Australia's Lucy McLellan said, "At this stage we're aiming for an October date, but we'll confirm as we move closer to launch." 

While local specifications have yet to be revealed, the new 1 Series will launch internationally with a trio of powertrains, made up of two petrol units and a single turbodiesel engine.

Powertrains

The petrol engines will come in two 1.6 litre configurations, producing 100kW and 220Nm in 116i form, while the 118i will offer 125kW and 250Nm of torque.

Both engines utilise BMW's TwinPower Turbo technology, along with High Precision Injection, ValveTronic variable valve control and Double-VANOS variable camshaft control.

Thanks to the High Precision Injection system, fuel consumption for the 118i is listed at a low 5.9 l/100km, and the 0-100km/h sprint is done and dusted in 7.4 seconds.

For the 116i, fuel consumption is listed at 5.7 l/100km and the 100km/h mark comes up in 8.5 seconds.

In diesel form, the BMW 118d gets a 2.0 litre turbodiesel engine, producing 105kW and 320Nm of torque. The 0-100km/h run is over in 8.9 seconds, and fuel consumption is a very low 4.4 l/100km.

Dimensions And Space

More powerful and more fuel efficient than its predecessor, the new 1 Series is also larger than the outgoing model.

The body of the 2012 1 is 85mm longer at 4234mm, and the wheelbase has been stretched by 30mm to 2690mm - giving rear passengers an extra 21mm of leg room.

It's 17mm wider at 1765mm, and height remains unchanged at 1421mm, a combination that gives the new model a more balanced look.

Storage space has also increased, with a 360-litre rear area expanding to 1200mm with the 60/40 split-folding rear seats laid flat. An optional through-loading system adds 40/20/20 split-folding rear seats.

Equipment And Features

The arrival of the new 1 Series will also mark the debut of the new BMW Sport Line and BMW Urban Line trim and equipment grades.

The BMW Lines packages have been developed to offer a range of personalisation and equipment options, along with colour schemes, interior trims and materials, highlights and light-alloy wheels.

Options for the new 1 Series will include Adaptive Suspension with Electronic Damper Regulation, along with 16, 17 and 18-inch light-alloy wheels.

BMW's ConnectedDrive system will also be available, including Adaptive Headlights (with the xenon headlights option), rain-sensing wipers and headlights, high-beam assistance, Park Distance Control, a rear-view camera, Park assistant, cruise control with braking, and Lane Departure with Collision Warning.

Standard equipment includes Dynamic Stability Control, ABS brakes, Dynamic Traction Control, Cornering Brake Control and Dynamic Braking Control - the latter featuring braking assistance, fading compensation, brake drying, hill-assist, and an electronic rear axle differential locking system.

Also standard is remote central locking, start/stop power button, height-adjustable front seats, electric exterior mirrors, electric front and rear windows, BMW Professional radio/CD player with six speakers and aux connectivity, and air conditioning. 

BMW's "Driving Experience" switch is also standard equipment, offering three driving modes: Comfort, Sport and Eco Pro. 

On BMW Sport Line models, and on cars fitted with the optional eight-speed sports automatic transmission, Variable Sport Steering or Adaptive Suspension, there is also a fourth mode, SPORT+. 

Watch for more details to come out of BMW as the new 1 Series nears its international and Australian unveilings.