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09/06/2011
REVIEW By EWAN KENNEDY
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BMW has released the first official shots of the second generation 1 Series. When launched in 2005, the BMW 1 Series was praised for retaining the purity of handling offered by rear-wheel drive when its competitors went for a more mundane front-drive layout.
The little BMW was criticised for having restricted room in the back seat and boot caused by the need for a transmission tunnel and rear differential.
There’s a definite touch of crossover SUV in the shape, presumably to eke out more space inside. Which is no bad thing because a well styled crossover can be attractive. Anyway, beauty is in the eye of the beholder and we will let you run your eyes over these pics.
In the meantime we can put in our two-bob’s worth and say we love the look of the front end.
The new BMW 1 Series is longer and wider than the original. In good engineering practise this hasn’t been done by simply stretching the overhangs. The wheelbase is longer by only 30 millimetres, but the front and rear track have been pushed out by a significant 51 mm and 71 mm, respectively.
Legroom in the rear has only been increased by 21 millimetres, which is disappointingly small on the face of it, but there’s more to comfort than merely the numbers registered by a tape measure, so we will reserve judgement until the vehicle is shown to the media.
Interestingly, the height of the new 1 Series is the same as the about to be superseded model, so the small BMW will retain the svelte silhouette that owners love.
The new BMW 1 Series launches in Europe in July and first imports to Australia will be “around October” according to BMW Australia’s PR chief, Piers Scott.
A large range of petrol and diesel engines will be introduced, all of them with BMW’s latest “Twin Power” technology that’s promised to make driving pleasurable but at the same time reduce fuel consumption and harmful emissions.
Quite a few of the luxury and safety features that have only been offered in larger BMWs will be available in the new 1 Series. Final specifications and prices will be announced closer to the Australian launch date. |
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