If you’re curious just how much different the third-generation F40 BMW 1 Series is compared to the previous F20 model it replaces, and have around four minutes to spare, good news ahead. The German carmaker has released a new video that gives a brief overview of the styling and technological changes between the two generations, which you’ll probably want to watch.
On the exterior, the new car’s slanting headlamps feature hexagonal “corona ring” daytime running lights within them, with a much larger and conjoined double kidney grille. The range-topping M135i xDrive, seen here beside the older M140i, also has a larger lower intake, with slim, vertical Air Breathers at the corners of the front bumper.
From the side, the new 1 Series’ switch to a front-wheel drive platform results in a significantly different profile that is “bread van-like” compared to its predecessor, although the “shark nose” remains present on both cars.
At the rear, slimmer, two-piece taillights carry L-shaped graphics for a distinctive look on the new car, along with a more rakish rear window. The latter gives the car a more pronounced shoulder to accentuate its wider width that now measures 1,799 mm (+34 mm).
Other changes to the dimensions include an increased height of 1,434 mm (+13 mm), while the overall length is down five mm to 4,319 mm, with the same being said of the wheelbase that spans 2,670 mm (-20 mm).
The cabin of the new 1er has a significantly more upmarket look, with a new dashboard that sports the Live Cockpit Professional system and fancy materials, the former with gesture controls and the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant.
In the centre console, BMW’s current design language now sees most of the controls like the gear lever, iDrive controller, drive mode selector and other items grouped into clean, uncluttered clusters. BMW adds that the new 1er can now be had with a head-up display and M Sport seats as an option for lesser variants.
Life in the back is also more spacious, as the front-wheel drive architecture allows for 33 mm more kneeroom and 19 mm more headroom. Better elbowroom too, with increases of 42 mm at the front and 13 mm at the rear. Another first for the model is a panoramic sunroof.
So, now that you are more familiar with the latest 1 Series, what do you think of it? Do you prefer it to its close rival, the Mercedes-Benz A-Class? Sound off in the comments below.
GALLERY: F40 BMW M135i xDrive
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I feel the 2nd generation F20 is more beautiful and sleeker…. with near 50:50 weight distribution and REAR WHEEL DRIVE!!!
No torsion beam dan REAR WHEEL DRIVE!!! Osem
F40 design cues is to capture the younger generation market.
F20 design was more conventional thus the older generations are more comfy on it.
Front grille looks like Kia cerato so ugly
its a good 1 vs A battle now!
I want 1 series saloon, just like Merc’s A-Class saloon.
It looks a bit better outside. But yeah, the loss of the RWD platform is quite a big thing. It won’t handle anywhere near the old car. But the interior seems a bit underwhelming. Maybe it’s due to the all black colour. Still, when compared to the A Class, the 1 Series is seriously outclassed inside. Heck, even a Mazda3 looks better inside. But the Mazda3 hatchback has a weird looking c pillar.
I hate to say that the old one looks way better!
CONCLUSION: 2nd generation is very bad in every aspects. hehe
Why does BMW think it’s ok to have twin exhausts, but one of them is fake? If you want to make it a fake one, at least put some effort into it and don’t make it a see-thru. It just makes it look cheap!
The best or nothing… Benz…
The F20 looks better in my opinion. The new one has that typical front wheel drive “fat” front. Dynamics wise, it’s a big loss without the RWD too. But hey, let’s face it, BMW is no more that carmaker synonymous to driving pleasure. It’s all about increasing profit margins and China. Mazda seems to be ticking all the right boxes here…
without rwd, better to just get a myvi
I still prefer f20 120i. That shade of blue is also nicer. Nothing in the f40 entices me especially being a front wheel drive.