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The BMW 1 Series History

Overview
The BMW 1 Series (code name E87) is a Small-luxury car / small family car produced by the German automaker BMW since 2004. Designed to compete against the Audi A3 and Volkswagen Golf, the 1 Series is the only vehicle in its class featuring rear-wheel drive and a longitudinally-mounted engine.

The 1 Series was first offered to the market in 2004 as a 5-door hatchback and is the only rear wheel drive in its class. It replaced the BMW 3-series Compact range and is currently the smallest and most 'affordable' vehicle (depending on the engine model) in the BMW range. Unlike its predecessor, the new vehicle is built on its own platform (E87), however, it shares many components with the E90 3 Series. These include MacPherson struts in the front of the car, and a trapezoidal-link rear axle. BMW has stated that it shares over 60% of components with the current BMW 3-series E90.[1]

The 1 Series is built in Regensburg and Leipzig, Germany, with some of the engines coming from the Hams Hall plant in Birmingham, England.

During its first full year on the market in 2005, it became one of BMW's most successful products. 149,493 units were sold, coming in third place: only the 3- and 5 Series sold better.[1]

For the 2008 model year, the coupe (code named E82) and coupe convertible (code named E88) variant have been introduced by BMW. U.S. introduction is scheduled for 2nd quarter of 2008.

2007 Upgrade
BMW upgraded the 1-Series for 2007 and introduced a 3-door sports hatch variant (code named E81). The changes to the model were minor headlight and tail-light revisions, new front & rear bumpers and a minor revisions to the interior. The dashboard has been updated, and a recommended gear indicator is now present on models with manual transmissions.[2]

New technologies include an Auto Start-Stop function, Brake Energy Regeneration, Electric Power Steering, an electric water pump, and a host of drivetrain modifications designed for fuel economy, increased performance, and lower emissions.[3] BMW marketing has named this combination of technologies "EfficientDynamics",[4] which will also be implemented in other BMW models.

The 1-Series is effectively the first in the world to have mild hybrid technology as standard equipment, although BMW is careful in its marketing not to label it as a hybrid vehicle.

Engines
The engines available for E81 and E87 are basically the same as found in the E90/E91, with exception for the 3.0 L inline-6, which is slightly modified to produce more power. For the 2008 model year, the 135i is powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine that produces 300 horsepower and 300 lb-ft of torque from 1,400 rpm. For the 135i Coupe, acceleration from 0–62 mph (0–100 km/h) is 5.3 seconds (per BMW) and top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph (250 km/h). Fuel efficiency is increased to 20mpg (11.7 L/100 km), an increase of 18% compared to its predecessor. [citation needed]

The engines below are preceded by their model year introduction.

In early 2006 the 5-speed manual transmission in the 116i and 118i, were phased out. Consequently, all models are equipped with the 6-speed by default.

Petrol (gasoline) engines:
- 2004- 116i: N45B16 1596 cc I4, 16 valves, 115 hp/85 kW, 150 Nm
- 116i: 0-100 km/h: 10.1 sec., top speed 196 km/h MT
- 116i: 0-100 km/h: 11.4 sec., top speed 192 km/h AT
- 2005–2007 118i: N46B20 1995 cc I4, 16 valves, 129 hp/95 kW, 180 Nm
2007- 118i: N46B20 1995 cc I4, 16 valves, 143 hp/105 kW, 190 Nm
- 2004–2007 120i: N46B20 1995 cc I4, 16 valves, 150 hp/110 kW, 200 Nm
- 120i: 0-100 km/h: 7.9 sec., top speed 212 km/h MT
- 120i: 0-100 km/h: 9.3 sec., top speed 208 km/h AT
- 2007- 120i: N46B20 1995 cc I4, 16 valves, 170 hp/125 kW, 210 Nm
- 2006- 130i: N52B30 2996 cc I6, 24 valves, 265 hp/195 kW, 315 Nm

Upcoming versions:
- 2008- 128i: N52B30 2996 cc I6, 24 valves, 230 hp, 271 Nm (* Not yet available to order)
- 2008- 135i: N54B30 2979 cc I6, 24 valves, 306 hp/225 kW, 400 Nm (* Not yet available to order) [2]

Diesel engines:
- 2004–2007 118d: M47TU2D20 1995 cc I4, 16 valves, 122 hp/90 kW, 280 Nm
- 2007- 118d: BMW N47 1995 cc I4, 16 valves, 143 hp/105 kW, 300 Nm
- 2004–2007 120d: M47TU2D20 1995 cc I4, 16 valves, 163 hp/120 kW, 340 Nm
- 2007- 120d: BMW N47 1995 cc I4, 16 valves, 177 hp/130 kW, 350 Nm
- 2007- 123d: BMW N47 1995 cc I4, 16 valves, 204 hp/152 kW, 400 Nm

Production
Sales statistics according to BMW's annual reports.

2004: 39,247 (Launched in September)
2005: 149,493
2006: 151,918

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