(continued from the previous page)

2012 BMW 1 Series' Interior: Premium Finish, Dynamic Lines, Driver-Friendly Cockpit

Inside, a combination of typical BMW design features and innovative accents gives the 2012 BMW 1 Series a fresh, youthful and modern feel, with a focus on spaciousness and driving pleasure. Lines and surfaces are dynamic and forward-leaning, with high-quality, precision-finished materials reflecting the model's premium specifications. BMW's characteristic driver-friendliness is apparent in the angled displays and controls in the middle of the instrument panel, and the ergonomic contours of the center console, designed for maximum visibility. The interior surfaces are layered, another innovation which gives the new BMW 1 Series an organic look and feel.

In conjunction with an optional navigation system and the BMW Professional radio, the 2012 BMW 1 Series uses the BMW iDrive system. This comprises a controller on the center console, favorites buttons and a freestanding flatscreen monitor. The 6.5 or 8.8-inch high-resolution control display, which is integrated into the instrument panel, is used for all information, entertainment, telecommunications and navigation functions.

The 2012 BMW 1 Series also offers much more storage space, with large door pockets, two cupholders on the center console, a roomy glove compartment, and a compartment under the armrest. Bottles of up to 1 liter can be fitted into the lower door panel sections.

The optional storage package includes large compartments in the rear doors and nets on the front seatbacks. The 360-liter luggage compartment expands to a maximum of 1,200 liters by lowering the 60/40 split-folding rear seats, giving a flat surface extending all the way to the front seats. The optional through-loading system has 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats.

The Ultimate in Personalization: BMW Urban Line

The exclusive new BMW Sport Line and BMW Urban Line of interior and exterior equipment help to show off the high-tech, dynamic facets of the 2012 BMW 1 Series to best advantage.

The BMW Urban Line includes specific cloth/leather seats, a leather sports steering wheel, adjustable armrests, and contemporary acrylic glass interior trim, which creates a strong sense of depth and is available in white or black with matt oxide silver accent strips. A striking effect is also provided by the ambient and courtesy lights, which can be switched between orange and LED royal blue. An additional light source on the B-pillar enhances the effect of the illumination.

The distinctive exterior includes specific 16-inch V-spoke alloy wheels or optional 17-inch high-gloss white wheels with an angled surface, and white rear bumper trim. Additional design accents on the front include white kidney bars with chrome-plated fronts and a white trim bar for the centre air intake. The side intake surrounds are painted in the same color as the car, and the BMW Urban Line also includes door sill finishers with "BMW Urban" lettering and a white keyclasp. White mirror caps are available as an option.

The components of the BMW Lines are matched down to the last detail, and create a striking visual impact. Other individually customizable features include a choice of seat coverings, interior trims and accent strips and light-alloy wheels.

Four-Cylinder Turbodiesel Engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo Technology

Wide-ranging design modifications have enabled the four-cylinder 2.0-liter turbodiesel engines in the 2012 BMW 1 Series to build on their competitive advantage in the areas of output and fuel efficiency. These include aluminum crankcases, reduced engine friction, thermodynamically optimized turbochargers and variable turbine geometry, next-generation common-rail direct injection and magnetic-valve injectors.

These enhancements represent the latest stage in the success story of BMW four-cylinder diesel engines, which earned the predecessor of the 2012 BMW 118d the title of World Green Car of the Year.

The 2012 BMW 120d marks another major advance, with a 8 hp increase in maximum output to 184 hp at 4,000 rpm, and maximum torque boosted by 22 lb-ft (30 Nm) to 280 lb-ft (380 Nm) between 1,750 and 2,750 rpm. It reaches 60 mph from a standing start in 7 seconds, and has a maximum speed of 142 mph (228 km/h). Combined-cycle fuel consumption has been reduced to 4.5 to 4.6 liters per 100 kilometers, with CO2 emissions of 119 to 122 grams per kilometer (EU test figures, variations due to differences in the tires fitted).

The four-cylinder diesel engine of the 2012 BMW 118d has a maximum output of 143 hp at 4,000 rpm, and maximum torque of 236 lb-ft (320 Nm) between 1,750 and 2,500 rpm. It accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 8.4 seconds, and has a maximum speed of 132 mph (212 km/h). Its combined-cycle fuel consumption is 4.4 to 4.5 liters per 100 kilometers, with CO2 emissions of 115 to 118 grams per kilometer (EU test figures, variations due to differences in the tires fitted).

The entry-level 2012 BMW 116d has a maximum output of 116 hp at 4,000 rpm, and maximum torque of 192 lb-ft (260 Nm) between 1,750 and 2,500 rpm. It accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 9.9 seconds, and has a maximum speed of 124 mph (200 km/h). Its combined-cycle fuel consumption is an outstanding 4.3 to 4.5 liters per 100 kilometers, with CO2 emissions an equally impressive 114 to 117 grams per kilometer (EU test figures, variations due to differences in the tires fitted).

Now Also in 1 Series BMW: Optional Eight-Speed Automatic Transmission

The standard six-speed manual petrol and diesel versions of the new BMW 1 Series offer efficient power transmission and precise gear changes.

The BMW 1 Series is also the only compact car also available with the option of an eight-speed automatic transmission, offering fast, smooth gear changes and excellent fuel efficiency. The innovative architecture of its wheel set allows more gears and a better spread of ratios, with barely any increase in weight over the existing six-speed automatic gearbox for the BMW 1 Series.

The unusually high efficiency of the eight-speed automatic transmission means that fitting it to the most powerful 2012 BMW 1 Series models actually results in lower fuel consumption and CO2 figures than with a manual transmission.

The Steptronic function used in the automatic transmission allows gear changes to be initiated manually using the electronic selector lever. A further option is the eight-speed sports automatic transmission, which enables even more dynamic gear changes, and includes shift paddles on the steering wheel.

Advanced BMW EfficientDynamics in the 2012 BMW 1 Series

Back in 2007, the BMW 1 Series set a new global benchmark, with a unique range of technologies to reduce fuel consumption and emissions being included as standard. Today, the 2012 BMW 1 Series extends the scope of the BMW EfficientDynamics program. The diesel versions have a centrifugal-force pendulum built into the dual-mass flywheel to compensate for rotational irregularities and ensure a smooth ride at low revs.

The car makes extensive use of intelligent energy management systems, including Brake Energy Regeneration and electromechanical power steering. Depending on the model, these may also include a gear shift indicator, automatic air valve control, a high-efficiency rear differential, a map-regulated oil pump, a pressure/rev-regulated electric fuel pump, a self-disconnecting air-conditioning compressor and tires with reduced rolling resistance.

The Automatic Start/Stop function, which switches off the engine when it is stationary at traffic lights or in slow-moving traffic, is included as standard in the new BMW 1 Series, with both manual and automatic transmissions. ECO PRO mode, which is activated by the driving experience switch, adjusts the engine map, heating, air conditioning, and mirror/seat heating to minimize fuel consumption. The resulting increase in range is shown on a display.

As a result, the new BMW 1 Series will embody the concept of fuel-efficiency like no other premium car, building on the strengths of its predecessor in this area. At a later date, the range will be expanded with the BMW 116d EfficientDynamics Edition. This will be powered by a 1.6-liter diesel engine, and feature a number of fuel-saving and emission-reducing technologies, including solutions to further optimize drive-train efficiency, improve aerodynamic performance and reduce rolling resistance. The 2012 BMW 116d EfficientDynamics Edition will have an output of 116 hp, with fuel consumption of 3.8 liters per 100 kilometers and CO2 emissions of 99 grams per kilometer over the EU combined cycle (provisional figures).

High-Quality Standard Features

The 2012 BMW 1 Series offers all the excitement of premium-quality, pioneering technology and exceptional driving pleasure within a compact car, with many superior features as standard and a wide range of attractive options. The driving experience switch, a standard feature located on the central console, tailors the car's settings to the driver's personal tastes, including engine characteristics, DSC driving stability control, optional Servotronic settings and automatic gear change program and dynamics.

COMFORT, SPORT and ECO PRO modes are included as standard. The eight-speed sports automatic, Variable Sport Steering and BMW Sport Line versions also have SPORT+ mode. Cars fitted with the Professional navigation system have a sport display on the control monitor showing real-time engine performance and torque.

The standard equipment of the 2012 BMW 1 Series also includes remote-controlled central locking, height-adjustable driver's and front-seat passenger's seats, electric wing mirrors, electric front and rear windows, BMW Business radio and CD, six speakers and an AUX IN connection, and air conditioning. Options include two-zone automatic air conditioning, electrically adjustable and heated seats, multifunction steering wheel, automatically dimming rear-view and wing mirrors, foglamps, electric sunroof, and towbar with removable ball.

The engine of the 2012 BMW 1 Series can be activated by touching the Start/Stop button as soon as the keyless remote is inside the car, making traditional ignition key insertion redundant. The optional Comfort Access system automatically locks and unlocks the car.

The Professional navigation system includes a hard disk. Individual entertainment features include a DVD changer, DAB receiver, and 360-watt, digitally amplified 12-speaker Harman Kardon hi-fi system.

BMW 120d Urban Line: Photo Gallery, Review (1/2) and Specifications