Layout FR layout | Production 2004–present Predecessor BMW Compact | |
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Class Compact car / Small family car (C) Successor BMW 2 Series (for coupé/convertible) | ||
The BMW 1 Series is a series of small luxury cars manufactured by the German automaker BMW since 2004. Successor to the BMW Compact, it has been produced in five different body styles. The 1 Series sedan is the first BMW model sold only in the Chinese market.
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First Generation (E81/E82/E87/E88; 2004–2013)
The first-generation BMW 1 Series is a small family car produced by the German automaker BMW since 2004, when it replaced the BMW 3 Series Compact range as the smallest and cheapest vehicle (depending on the engine model) in the BMW range. As of May 2013, the 3-door hatchback (model code E81) and 5-door hatchback (E87) have been superseded by the F20 and F21 models; the 2-door coupe (E82) and the two-door convertible (E88) have been superseded by the new BMW 2 Series.
Model Codes
1 Series ActiveE
The BMW ActiveE is a demonstration electric car based on the BMW 1 Series small family cars. It is the second vehicle after the Mini E to be developed under BMW Group's Project i. The electric drive system is the latest addition to BMW's EfficientDynamics program. The US Environmental Protection Agency official range is 151 kilometres (94 mi), with an energy consumption of 33 kW·h/100 miles, and the agency rated the ActiveE's combined fuel economy at 2.3L/100 km (102 miles per gallon gasoline equivalent).
Deliveries of the ActiveE for field testing in the U.S. began in January 2012, after the Mini E trial ended. A total of 1,100 vehicles were produced participate in the program worldwide, with 700 allocated for the U.S. trial and 35 for a trial in China.
Second Generation (F20/F21; 2011–present)
The 2nd generation BMW 1 Series range comprises 3-door hatchback (model code F21) and 5-door hatchback (F20) models. Like its E87 predecessor, it uses a longitudinally-mounted engine, aluminum multi-link suspension and a rear-wheel drive chassis (however some models are available with all-wheel drive).
The F20 5-door hatchback was unveiled in 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. and released later in 2011.
The M135i was named "The Sports Car of the Year 2012" by Top Gear Magazine.
The coupé and convertible of the F20 will be called the 2 Series.
Model Codes
First Generation Sedan (F52; 2017–)
The 4-door sedan is a front-wheel drive model produced only for the Chinese market.