BMW 1 Series 5-door

Introduction:

The German mogul is known for its luxurious and dynamic drives and is now leaving no stones unturned with its entrance in the luxury hatchback segment. The German giant names this another masterpiece as the BMW 1 Series which sits right at the entry level of the BMW stable. The series marks its birth in 2004 and consists of some compact luxury cars which include three-door and five-door hatchback variants with the compact luxury 5-door hatchback variant available for the Sri Lankan markets. This 5-door hatchback was unveiled in 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show and released later in 2011.

Engine, mileage and variants:

The 5-door hatch comes with 2 variants namely the 116i variant and the 114i variant. The heart that pumps life in these 2 equally desirable variants is the BMW TwinPower Turbo 4-cylinder petrol engines. The more dynamic 116i variant is powered by a 1.6 liter petrol engine that is integrated with Twin Scroll turbochargers with Valvetronic, double Vanos and High Precision Injection. Gaining on the advantage of turbocharging the engine gulps down a concentrated sip of energy and generates 136hp of maximum power between 4400 to 6450 rpm and a torque output of 220Nm between 1350 to 4300 rpm. This engine has the capability to catapult the hatch with a speed of 100km/h from naught in 10.6 seconds. While, the refinement injected in its engine lets the car to cover a stretch of 100 km in 5.4 to 5.6 litres of fuel.

Exterior:

The exterior designers of the car has wholeheartedly used their creativity and aerodynamic knowledge to give the hatchback a lively and young look that particularly compliments the urban audience. The unmistakable BMW identity of the car is resembled in the front look of the car with the attributes like the dominating kidney grille with chromed gloss black slats and white sides, front lamps embedded with high-beam assistant, and the tweaked front bumper. The detailed aerodynamics displayed by the side profile of the car and the solemnly sporty rear of the car further makes the car reasonably spontaneous. The rear combi-lamps, the shark-fin antenna and the spectacular 16-inch steel wheels of the car adds more to its charm. The sleek and elongated look of the car is a product of the precise dimensions of the car, which reads - 4324mm x 1765mm x 1421mm (L x W x H) and the car has a wheelbase of 2690mm, which contributes towards the stability of the car.

Interior:

The calm and lively ambiance of the hatchback features an impeccable craftsmanship from the BMW designers. The interiors of the car are perfectly designed to display a royal sense of ergonomics and luxury. The cockpit of the car offers the driver a delicious feast of authority by the leather covered multi-functional steering wheel, precisely-lit infotainment system, touchscreen display and electrically adjustable driver's seat. The luxury incorporated in the cabins of the cars is a product of the large and supportive leather-wrapped seats dual-zone automatic air-conditioning and superior quality sound system. All this luxury is made more perceptible with the capacious amount of head and leg room and the cargo space of 359litres that can be expanded upto a maximum of 1200 litres.

Safety, braking and miscellaneous:

The convenient and comfortable cabins of the car pampers and cocoons its occupants in a caring envelop of safety features. The hatchback is installed with an extensive list of safety features consisting of braking assists like the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist, handling assists like the DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) and other basic safety features like the Park Distance Control (PDC), lane departure warning, approach warning system and airbags and 3-point seatbelts. The purely distinctive feature of regenerative braking system is installed in the car with the front and rear disc brakes.

Verdict:

The BMW 1 Series owing to its purely comfortable and spacious cabins, light and precisely responsive handling, and particularly sporty and aerodynamic design, surely compliments the youth identity. However, the less competitive price of this hatchback may prove beneficial for its competitors.