The 1 Series is a hatchback model developed by the BMW, whose facelift version has now entered the Indian shores. The company has launched only one variant of the model for Indian market, which is the BMW 1 series 118d sport line . Starting with the cabin, the company has lavished the interior space with chrome accents all over it. The drive atmosphere is further enriched with fine upholstery. There are minimal changes done to the vehicle's exterior facet, save for the facetlift added to the front. This includes minor upgrades to the shape of the headlamps, giving a more stylish theme to the front portion. All the other facilities and features of the car have been retained. The front seats come with electrical adjustment functions, along with a memory facility for the driver. An automatic air conditioning system keeps the cabin pleasant, and it comes with a 2 zone control and vents positioned at the rear as well. In addition to all of this, the cabin is also blessed with strong safety elements that include an impact protection design scheme, three point seatbelts, a warning triangle with a first aid kit, and an ISOFIX child seat mounting. For added safety, the company has given it runflat tyres with reinforced side walls. Coming to the heavier side, the car is driven by a 2.0-litre turbocharged diesel engine. It propels the vehicle from zero to 100kmph within just 8.1 seconds, which is astonishing for its hefty size. Its speed prowess is matched by a highly qualified braking and suspension arrangement, along with numerous techno aids such as ABS and cornering brake control.
Exteriors:
The car wears the signature design blueprint set by the company for most of its cars. Despite being a hatchback, it is large and muscular in shape, evoking the impression of an SUV at first sight. Its overall shape has been conditioned with aerodynamics in mind, helping it to gain and maintain speed on the road. Going into specifics, the front is adorned with the characteristic BMW kidney grille with 8 slats, which are now treated in black high gloss. On either side of this, there are newly designed headlamp clusters that have a more aggressive bearing to them. The brand has detailed them with LED lighting systems, which come with an automatic beam throw control for safety value when driving. The variant also has fog lamps at the bottom, which strengthen visibility when driving. The three part air intake section at the bottom helps to dissipate hot air from the engine. The bumpers are body colored, making for unison in the look of the front. The emblem of the company is posted by the front of the bonnet, creating a distinctive effect at the front. The two subtle lines by the sides of the bonnet add flavor to the front. The side profile is underlined by the large wheel archs and the cool looking rims beneath them. A slanting body line sweeps through the door handles right below the window, adding a rejuvenated feel to the image. The door handles and outside mirrors are body colored, integrating into the side profile well. The black window frames give the car a more diversified persona. The elegant body curvatures add glamor to the overall look of the machine. The compact vehicle has a toned rear portion that aligns with the overall body structure. The stylish tail lights come with turn indicators, courtesy lights and other necessary lighting units for reinforced safety.
Interiors:
The cabin is laid out in a clever manner, so that the limited space is utilized in the most efficient means possible. The seats are ergonomically designed, ensuring apt comfort for all of the occupants. The front row passengers get the benefit of sports seats that relieve drive discomfort. Also, the front row is blessed with a sliding armrest, promoting convenience for the diver and co passenger. The seats are covered in pure sensatec black upholstery, which redeems a plush atmosphere within the car when driving. The cabin is also provided with floor mats in attractive velor. For an enhanced driving feel, there is a multi-functional leather wrapped sports steering wheel for the driver. The high resolution instrument display comes with extended contents, and it lends a more sophisticated image to the interior. In addition to all of this, the cabin is also conditioned for convenience and utility. The front armrest has a storage compartment inbuilt within it. An extra storage compartment package ensures that all spare things can be stored without hassle.
Engine and Performance:
Powering this hatch is a diesel run engine that displaces 1995cc. It comprises of 4 cylinders with 4 valves per cylinder. Beside this, the plant is armed with a BMW twin-power turbo that boosts its performance capacity. Overall, the engine yields a power of 148bhp at 4000rpm, coupled with a torque of 320Nm at 1500 to 3000rpm. The engine's power is channelled to the rear wheels through a 8 speed steptronic automatic transmission, which promotes smoother shifting.
Braking and Handling:
For the braking needs of the car, the brand has equipped it with strong disc brakes. In addition to this, the anti lock braking system strengthens the control quality, reducing chances of skidding. The brand has also given it a cornering brake control for additional stability when making turns. Lastly, a dynamic stability control and a dynamic traction control help the vehicle adapt to any road condition without loss of handling.
Comfort Features:
The car features a stereo loudspeaker system that comes with 6 loudspeakers for the best audio experience. Going along with this is a BMW Professional radio system with an axillary input, CD Drive, MP3 decoder, along with a two-line display. A handsfree Bluetooth system enables in-cabin calling, and audio streaming through the phones of passengers. All of this is enhanced with an iDrive 16.5cm color display, along with a CD drive and a remote control. There are special BMW apps as well for improved drive convenience.
Safety Features:
Critical protection is offered by an advanced airbag system that consists of airbags at front, for head airbags and sides. A brake assist function augments the car's braking performance, preventing mishaps when cornering. Side impact protection has been incorporated into the vehicle, helping to reduce damage to the cabin in case of a crash. Three point seatbelts keep the occupants secure, and for the front, there come with pyrotechnic belt tensioners and belt force limiters. A run flat indicator ensures that the driver is alerted in case of a tyre burst. The security of the car is affirmed too with an engine immobilizer along with a crash sensor.
Pros:
1. Luxurious cabin design.
2. Its acceleration rate is a strong point.
Cons:
1. Safety needs to be upgraded.
2. Interior comfort could be enhanced.
