2008 BMW 1-Series

The BMW 1 Series was launched in September 2004 with the brand slogan 'the only 1'.

The much anticipated BMW 1 Series Sport Hatch sets new standards for compact hatchbacks and offers drivers the unique proposition of a front-engine, rear-wheel drive car with the practical day-to-day benefits of a compact hatchback.

Undoubtedly BMW knows their target audience and the 1 Series is targeted at the well educated, young to late 20's - early 40's, who work hard but not too hard and love driving. Paradoxically everyone we have seen driving a 1 Series looks like they are affluently retired, but then we do live near to Budleigh Salterton in Devon.

The BMW 1 Series is a blend of prestige and performance at a reasonably affordable entry price. The split between corporate buyers and private individuals should be circa 45:50.

The 1 Series comes with five doors, four engines (1.6 and 2.0 petrol engines and a 2.0 diesel engine with 122 bhp or 163 bhp) and three trim levels ES, SE and Sport. Prices range from £15,995 for the 116i to £21,360 for the 120d SE.

BMW's aim is to bring the 'Ultimate Driving Machine' to the the competitive lower medium segment which includes the Audi A3, Ford Focus, Vauxhall Astra and Volkswagen Golf - attracting a whole new group of buyers to the BMW brand.

We tested the range topping BMW 120d Sport to find out if it is 'the only 1' for us.

At launch the BMW 1 Series was available with a choice of four engine: 1.6 litre - 116i and 2.0 litre - 120i petrol engines and a 2.0 litre diesel engine with two power outputs the 122 bhp - 118d and the 163 bhp - 120d.

We tested the higher output 120d, which is equipped with a 2.0 litre turbo-charged common rail diesel engine mated to a standard 6-speed manual gearbox. Should you wish the 120d can also be specified with a 6-speed automatic gearbox (£1485 option) featuring the Adaptive Gearbox System with Steptronic manual gear selection.

From the moment you press the starter button you know you are going to experience something special. The engine produces 163 bhp @ 4,000 rpm and 340Nm of torque @ 2,000 rpm enabling the 120d to accelerate from 0-62 mph in just 7.9 seconds and continue to a terminal speed of 137 mph. Just as impressive is the 50-75 mph acceleration figure in fourth gear of just 6.6 seconds. The precise, short throw gearshift makes for quick and effortless changes.

Until recently, like many people, we were not really diesel fans, considering them to be smelly, slow and noisy but how things have changed - the 1 Series 120d is testament to this. Here we have a diesel sports hatchback that can reach 62 mph in 7.9 seconds. One of our team used to own a Porsche 944 that quoted a comparable figure and would also reach a similar top speed. To top this off BMW quote a combined fuel consumption figure of 49.6 miles to the gallon. Of course you can tell that the car is powered by a diesel engine, the power delivery is different to that of a petrol car and the engine chatters at idle but no longer do you have to put up with a slow noisy engine. In practice you do forget that you are driving a diesel and it is only at the fuel pump that it really affects you and only for the better.

We found the 120d to be powerful, flexible, fugal and smooth - what more could you want?

BMW have recently announced the introduction of the BMW 130i - a car powered by the world’s lightest 3.0-litre six-cylinder petrol engine which powers the BMW 130i from zero to 62mph in 6.2 seconds and on to a top speed of 155mph. For more information [ click here ] How It Drove - Ride/Handling

While most car manufacturers decree that their hatchbacks should be front wheel drive, BMW have decided to do something different and the 1 Series is rear wheel drive.

The petrol heads amongst you will already know the advantages of driving the rear wheels over the front. For those of you who are bewildered we will try to explain, most manufacturers opt for front wheel drive because it is the cheapest and easiest option. Some might argue that it is also safer as front wheel drive cars tend to have more predicable and easier to control handling characteristics. The problem is that when you power and steer the car using the front wheels, it leads to all sorts of problems, especially for more powerful cars. The most noticeable problem is torque steer, accelerate hard, especially into a bend or out of a road junction and you will end up fighting with the steering to maintain control and ultimately you are losing grip. This is why you will find that many front wheel drive cars are equipped with Traction Control. With rear wheel drive the steering and driving wheels are at opposite ends of the car - this results in leaving the front of the car to do the steering (which it does best) and the rear to deliver the power (which it does the best). Couple this to BMW’s legendary 50:50 weight distribution and you have the “Ultimate Driving Machine”, well so they say.

The rear suspension benefits from BMW's pioneering five-link rear suspension which has been designed to improve ride quality. By replacing the traditional double wishbone arrangement with a version of the five-link set-up employed on the 5 and 6 Series, engineers have been able to subtly alter the toe-in, toe-out and camber angles for increased cornering ability.

Sport models are equipped with sports suspension as standard which lowers the suspension by 15mm which not only gives the 1 Series a more aggressive stance but enhances performance by giving a more agile ride.

The proof is in the driving and the 1 Series does not disappoint - the steering is very well weighted and reacts well to driver input. The steering isn’t over assisted, so some drivers might find it on the heavy side. The ride is hard but it does reward you with incredible feedback with grip on the high side of limpet. Cornering always remains safe and fun. You would have to be doing something pretty daft in the dry to get the end to break away. If you do manage to get into trouble the car is protected by Dynamic Stability Control with Traction Control, which for the more enthusiastic driver can be switched off - but we wouldn't recommend this on the public highway.

Our test car was equipped with 180 Star Spoke 18" alloy wheels (£1895 option) which were prone to tram lining but overall they enhanced grip and handling. Ease of Use

The dashboard is ergonomically laid out, simple and uncluttered. All the controls are tactile and stylish and the centre console is inclined towards the driver establishing a feeling of control.

The 1 Series features a starter button, you simply slot the key into the dashboard and press the button with your foot on the clutch - and off you drive. Is it a gimmick? - well yes and no, turning the key is a pain and it would be far easier to just press a button.

The boot is opened via the BMW logo on the boot, a design touch which we enjoyed. The 1 Series features 60:40 split rear folding seats with a ski hatch, with the rear seats up the boot capacity is 330 litres and with the seats laid flat this increases to 1,150 litres.

The 1 Series is an easy vehicle to park with excellent visibility all round. Our test car was equipped with optional parking sensors making the BMW 1 Series even easier to manoeuvre.

We found the main beam mechanism very easy and quick to operate.

On a more practical level the BMW features a digital clock, headlamp height adjustment, on-board computer including the following functionality: external temperature display, average fuel consumption, fuel range, average speed and current consumption, 4 large door bins, mesh seat back pockets and an armrest with storage box.

The BMW 1 Series comes as standard with the highest levels of active and passive safety. Familiar systems from other BMW models such as ABS brakes, Dynamic Stability Control, Dynamic Traction Control, Dynamic Brake Control and Cornering Brake Control are all fitted as standard. BMW's Tyre Puncture Warning System is also fitted, alerting the driver to the possibility of a loss in pressure, while the standard Run-flat tyres ensure the car can be driven safely for up to 90 miles at speeds of up to 50mph, with all tyres punctured.

nother safety feature on the 1 Series is the recently introduced Brake Force Display (BFD). Using a double segment of lights in the rear light cluster, BFD increases the brake light illumination area as soon as the ABS system is activated or the car detects a rapid deceleration. The extra illumination warns drivers behind that the car is braking sharply.

Should the worst happen and an accident occurs, sensors in the Advanced Safety Electronics system cut the fuel pump and alternator, and the battery is deactivated to minimise the risk of fire. Six airbags are standard in the 1 Series with the two front airbags intelligent, dual-stage versions that inflate in speed and size depending on the severity of the accident and work in conjunction with the active seatbelt tensioners. Front side airbags are located in the side of the front seat and AHPS head airbag system protects both front and rear passengers. To protect the smaller passengers, two ISOFIX child seat restraints in the rear are available across the 1 Series range, and can include front seat fixings and passenger airbag deactivation.

A Thatcham category 1 alarm system with remote control is standard. Comfort and Refinement

Depending on your flexibility climbing in between the swooping roof line and the high sills can be awkward - the BMW 1 Series is not the easiest car to get into or out of. Once you are installed the driver’s seat presents you with a multitude of adjustments and we found it hard to get truly comfortable. If like us you change drivers regularly we would recommend the electric seat adjustment with memory function for the drivers seat (£850 option). However, once you are in place the cabin is a comfortable place to be, the front seats offer superb support and we had no complaints. You can adjust the three spoke sports leather steering wheel for both reach and height. The accelerator, brake and clutch pedals are in direct line with the drivers seat, the added bonus of rear wheel drive.

Head and leg room is good in the front of the 1 Series but there is not a great deal of leg room in the rear and rear seat passengers have to contend with the transmission tunnel between their legs.

You only have to drive the car at night to realise how much BMW have paid attention to the design of the 1 Series. Like its bigger brothers the interior of the 1 Series is lit by a series of LEDs, giving an ambient orange glow to the interior of the car. This extends to cool blue/white LEDs in the door handles, which light the ground around the doors and are operated when you unlock the car.

We were surprised on a car of this price that auto-on headlights and rain-sensitive windscreen wipers were a £75 option, but they worked beautifully.

Automatic Climate Control is standard on Sport models and we liked the residual heat function which enables you to continue to use the residual heat of the engine to heat the cabin for up to 15 minutes after the engine has been switched off.

The level of refinement is high and includes: electric front and rear windows, courtesy lights, smoker package, cup holder (£30 option), storage package (£120 option), illuminated glove box, 2 x lit sunvisors and remote central locking. How It Looks - Exterior

You either love it or hate it.

Kevin Rice, British-born design team project leader of the new BMW 1 Series said: 'the key to the BMW 1 Series design was to redefine the benchmark with a unique premium product in its category. It communicates BMW's driving pleasure'.

The 1 series seems to have morphed from the design of the BMW M Coupe - Unmistakably a BMW from any angle - there is the distinctive kidney grille and the double headlights, carried across the BMW model range.

We liked the exterior design touches and were seduced by the Aero Body Kit fitted to our car (£895 option - price does not include fitting cost) it gave the car a more aggressive profile, especially with the optional 18” wheels (£1895 option).