BMW Malaysia Launch New and Improved BMW 1 Series
Kuala Lumpur, 11 July 2007 – Taking the Sheer Driving Pleasure benchmark to yet another all new level, BMW Malaysia today launched the new and improved BMW 1 Series.
The new 1 Series which made its global debut at the Geneva Motorshow in March this year follows the first generation premium compact car that has accounted for sales of more than 200,000 units worldwide.
Now achieving a supreme standard of Efficient Dynamics courtesy of new power trains, significant modifications to its exterior design as well as attractive interior re-design, the new 1 Series also offers for the first time a new three door variant.
Presenting the latest BMW Compact Car offering, Wolfgang Schlimme, Managing Director, BMW Malaysia Sdn Bhd said, “The BMW 1 Series was tremendously successful not only in terms of its worldwide sales figures but also for the fact that it still remains unique as the first and only rear wheel drive car in this segment.”
Schlimme added that the new BMW 1 Series with its new feature changes doubled with its new pricing strategy is set to be more popular than its predecessor.
“A new BMW always raises the bar set by its predecessors and this is the same with the new 1 Series. Everything about this car exudes sportiness and agility – from the sophisticated materials and fresh colours utilized to create this car to its interior trimmings as well as from its concave and convex exterior looks right up to its performance capabilities”, said Schlimme.
Offering outstanding performance with exceptionally economical fuel consumption characteristics, the new BMW 1 Series provides four engine variants for its 3-door and 5-door portfolio. The top end variant, the five door 130i features a straight six petrol engine with double VANOS and VALVETRONIC (OUTPUT: 195 kW/256hp), (MAX TORQUE: 315 Nm/232. The three door 1 Series, the BMW 120i Sports, meanwhile, sports a new straight four power train with second generation direct fuel injection (High Precision Injection) (OUTPUT: 125kW/170hp) (MAX TORQUE: 210Nm/155 lb-ft).
The BMW 118i offers a fully variable VALVETRONIC valve control with Bi-VANOS variable camshaft timing engine (OUTPUT: 100kW/136hp) (MAX TORQUE: 190Nm/140lb-ft) whilst the BMW 116i features a straight four petrol engine with double VANOS capable of churning out an output of 85kW/115hp and a maximum torque of 150Nm/111lb-ft.
In its exterior looks, sportiness and agility in the 1 series is reflected in its long front overhang as well as a reposition of its passenger cell further to the rear to showcase the compact car’s rear wheel drive uniqueness.
Prominent changes are very apparent in the front courtesy of a newly redesigned and larger kidney grille coupled with new headlight contours with darker headlamp surrounds. Additionally, a wider air inlet in the front air dam as well as a horizontal trim strip and integrated rectangular fog lights gives the new BMW 1 Series a particularly muscular outlook.
At the rear, horizontal lines with distinctive light contour uphold the car’s sporty and agile perspectives. Furthermore, a new taillight design with LED functionality now features on the new 1 Series to not only offer a homogeneous lighting effect at night but also making the BMW much more recognisable.
From the side view, the five door model shows superior variability whilst the three door version expresses the 1 Series focus on enhanced performance. Longer doors accentuated by a single-piece frameless window moving right to the back end of the car also give the three door 1 Series a balanced outlook.
Inside, the new, upgraded BMW 1 Series has been improved significantly and consistent to portray a superior look and feel that matches that of the higher BMW model series. A new redesigned centre console that is joined seamlessly to the dashboard gives the 1 Series cockpit a stylish yet sporty experience. Sportiness is further accentuated with a shortened sports gear lever for enhanced gear shift experiences at the centre of the cockpit. Additionally, new door trims with materials echoing the upholstery furnish the compact car making the interior more refined.
Specific to the BMW 118i are Chrome trimmings on the sports leather steering wheel and controls for the radio and automatic air conditioning whilst automatic transmission is now made available for the BMW 116i.
Other premium innovative offerings in the new BMW 1 Series include front air bags, side air bags and curtain head air bags in the front and rear, AUX-in connector for personal audio file playback via the BMW Radio System Professional, Runflat tyres and dual level brake lights.
In drive feel, the BMW 1 Series is set to be a very engaging drive due not only to its rear wheel drive capabilities but also to its near perfect 50:50 weight distribution. “Optimal 50:50 weight distribution, precise steering with aluminium strengthened front axle and a finely tuned sports style chassis all ensure that the BMW 1 Series is able to hold its line in the fastest of bends, allowing for increased lateral acceleration at higher cornering speeds. The new BMW 1 Series will once again offer keen drivers the very best of BMW in a package that makes this car completely unique”, Schlimme said.
The BMW 120i Sports, the new three door BMW 1 Series offers a more sports like personality with an elongated shape of the windows making the car dynamic, elegant and sporty with optional Chrome Line linking the window area to appear almost as a single unit. The sporty coupe also comes with the M sports package consisting of the M Aerodynamics package, M light alloy wheels double spoke 207M with mixed tyres, satin chrome window frames, M Sports Suspension, Anthracite headliner, Sports seat for driver and front passenger, M Leather steering wheel, an M badge door sill finisher as well as Bi-Xenon lights with new daytime running lights.
As an added feature, the new BMW 1 Series comes with special financing packages which make the new car a very interesting proposition. These packages are offered by BMW Credit and BMW Lease, which give BMW customers a truly unique one-stop solution from the company’s specialist financial arm. “With these new packages, owning the 1 Series has become a reality for many people. We now can offer a one-stop solution and attractive finance plans that make the BMW 1 Series a lot more accessible,” said Schlimme.
The retail prices (on the road, without insurance, with BMW Service Inclusive + Repair) for the new and enhanced BMW 1 Series are:
BMW 130i – RM 329,800
BMW 120i Sports – RM 223, 800
BMW 118i – RM 199,800
BMW 116i – RM 179,800
