BMW 1 Series hatchback will be launched in India tomorrow ahead of the festive seasons to compete in the entry-level premium car segment. The new model will be available in both petrol and diesel guise and slot in below the X1 as the least expensive car in the BMW India’s range.
The 1 Series petrol will be powered by a 1.6-litre four-cylinder unit developing 136bhp and 220Nm; the oil burner will have a similar four-cylinder setup but with a turbocharger pumping 143bhp and 320Nm of torque. The engines are matted to eight-speed automatic gearbox which drives the rear wheel – this also makes the 1 Series unique as its competitors run on FWD setup.
The features list on the 1 Series will include iDrive with LCD display, start-stop function, drive side power-seat with memory function, sunroof and rear parking sensors, apart from standard safety features like ABS-EBD, airbags and ESP.
The 1 Series will take the CKD route and will be assembled in India as BMW’s Chennai facility. The petrol version (116i) is expected to be priced around Rs 22.5 lakh, while the diesel version (118d) will be close to Rs 24 lakh. The BMW hatchback will take on the Mercdes-Benz A-Class, B-Class and the Volvo V40.
