All-New F40 BMW 1 Series Announced – FWD Or AWD, 5-Door Only

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Eric | May 27, 2019 01:55 pm

BMW has just announced the all-new F40 1 Series, the third iteration of BMW’s successful entry-level model.

Unlike earlier models, the all-new F40 1 Series now features a front-wheel drive layout, instead of the more driver-centric rear-wheel drive format. BMW has also dropped the 3-door hatchback variant of the all-new 1 Series, keeping the new model strictly as a 5-door hatchback.

That said, the all-new F40 1 Series is the first petrol-powered BMW model to receive ARB (actuator contiguous wheel slip limitation), first found on the BMW i3s. ARB is fitted as standard to all variants of the new 1 Series, and it works hand-in-hand with BMW Performance Control (yaw movement distribution) to limit understeer.

But BMW is quick to announce that the all-new F40 1 Series is a ‘proper BMW’, and that the interior space is considerably roomier than its predecessors. In addition to that, the boot capacity has increased by 20 litres over the F20-generation 1 Series, coming in at 380 litres. With the rear seats folded down, boot space can be increased to 1,200 litres.

Continuing on the dimensions of the all-new model, the F40-generation 1 Series has a length of 4,319 mm, width of 1,799 mm, and a height of 1,434 mm. Wheelbase is 20 mm shorter, coming in at 2,670 mm.

At launch, the F40 1 Series can be had with 2 petrol engines and 3 diesel engines. Sitting on top of the F40 1 Series range is the M135i xDrive, powered by a 2.0-litre TwinPower Turbo four-cylinder petrol engine that does 306 hp and 450 Nm, channelled to all four wheels via BMW’s xDrive all-wheel drive system. 0-100 km/h is achieved in just 4.8 seconds, while top speed is rated at 250 km/h.

Unlike its key rival the Mercedes-Benz A-Class, all variants of the F40 1 Series will get multi-link rear suspension.

Similar to other recently-introduced BMW models, the all-new 1 Series can be had with dual 10.25-inch displays running on the BMW Operating System 7.0. Other optional extras include BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant, Parking Assistant, and BMW Digital Key.

As mentioned before, BMW will showcase the all-new 1 Series at the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show, but prior to that, the new model will be shown to the public at the BMW Group #NEXTGen technology showcase at BMW Welt in Munich from 25^th to 27^th June. Worldwide launch of the new model will begin from 28^th September.