2012 BMW 1 Series Pricing Announced For Australia

BMW Australia will move to undercut its competitors in the prestige small car segment when the all-new 2012 1 Series Hatch hits local showrooms in October.

Kicking off at $36,900 (plus on-roads), the second-generation 1 Series will enter at $2100 less than the current model - and $2910 less than the entry-level Audi A3.

The 1 Series' new starting price will also make it more affordable than the Lexus CT 200h ($39,990) and the Mercedes-Benz B-Class ($37,500).

With its sharp new pricing, BMW Australia will look to the 2012 1 Series to attract customers that may not have previously considered the brand.

“The 1 Series is widely recognised as the category benchmark in driving dynamics and in terms of value it is now more competitive than ever before,” BMW Group Australia Managing Director, Phil Horton said.

“The car’s dimensions have increased and its position as the most refined and dynamic vehicle in its class has been underlined."

For Australia, the 2012 1 Series line-up will mirror the international range revealed in June: with 116i and 118i petrol models, and the 118d diesel variant.

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 done and dusted in 7.4 seconds.

For the 116i, fuel consumption is listed at 5.7 l/100km; the 100km/h mark coming up in a claimed 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; fuel consumption a very low 4.4 l/100km.

• Click here for the full run-down on the new 1 Series.

The all new BMW 1 Series will be avaliable in Australian showrooms in October 2011.

Further specification details, including prices for the 118i and 118d, will be announced closer to the launch date.