As BMW’s official entry in the ever-competitive compact car class, the BMW 1 Series is as brilliant as ever. Available in hatchback variants (with the coupe and convertible versions available as the 2 series), this car tries to bring the BMW experience in a compact and more affordable package. In many ways, they succeeded, as evidenced by their robust sales in Egypt and other countries.
Exterior
Many criticized the previous year’s 1 Series for having relatively bland styling. In response to this, BMW made some extensive modifications on this year model’s exterior. The nose was further sharpened, and the rear end was modified to reflect a more aggressive style. It is rumored to be the last year for this generation of the 1 Series, so this facelift represents BMW’s last-ditch effort to revise its love-me-or-hate me looks.
Interior
The interior of the 1 Series remain as tight as ever, which is mainly a fruit of this car’s engineering (most notably mounting the engine longitudinally). Squeezing into the front seats is a challenge especially for taller individuals. The rear is even more cramped, with both headroom and legroom more limited compared to its rivals. While the materials and build quality of the interior in general is at par with BMW’s lofty standards, dealing with a cramped interior may still prove to be too much for some.
Specs
There are 2 available engine options for the BMW 1 Series. The standard issue is the 1.5-liter 3-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine that delivers a maximum output of 109 horsepower and 180 Nm of torque. If you want something more powerful, you can go for the 3.0-liter six-cylinder turbo engine available in the M135i. This power plant generates a maximum output of 326 horsepower and 450 Nm of torque. Combined with any of these engines with BMW’s great suspension tuning and rear-wheel drive layout and you have a car that’s more than willing to go fast.
Verdict
The 2018 BMW 1 Series is the compact car of choice for those who want the dynamics of a rear-wheel drive car wrapped into a small package. It may have its flaws, but this car is built like a true-blue BMW, so that is an asset in itself.
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