One is now ten - BMW 1 Series celebrates 10 years of driving pleasure

It was in the late summer of 2004, BMW brought the “Joy Principle” to the compact segment with the launch of the 1 Series and now the 1 is celebrating its 10th anniversary. Ever since its launch, BMW 1 Series has sold almost 1.9 million units, spanning different variants including 5-door, 3-door hatch, a coupe and a convertible. The 1 Series is the first model from the BMW stable to come with a CO2 emission level of less than 100 grams per kilometer and the brand’s first electric vehicle for day-to-day use, getting the “World Green Car of the Year” in 2008. With extensive implementation of EfficientDynamics technology, the BMW 1 Series was the brand’s first series to include as from 2007 an Auto Start Stop function, a gearshift indicator, brake energy regeneration and electric power steering and more.

The BMW 1 Series brought with it several features that were till then made available in higher segments. Those features include run flat tyres, adaptive headlight range control, a two-stage brake light, the Start/Stop unit and options such as Comfort Access, the iDrive control system as well as driver assistant systems and mobility services from BMW ConnectedDrive. In safety too, the 1 Series scored top marks, receiving 5 stars in Euro NCAP crash test both with the first generation (2004) model and the second generation (2011) model.

Launched as a 5-door hatch, the BMW 1 Series sold over 200,000 units and got a model update in the spring of 2007 with a sporty 3-door variant. In November 2007, third model in the lineup was introduced in the form of a coupe with a classic three-box design, four seats and powerful engines. The 1 Series Coupe brought in sales of over 150,000 units before being replaced last year. The two-door convertible followed in April 2008 and has sold more than 130,000 units.

India got a taste of the 1 Series when BMW India launched the car in September 2013. We only have the 5-door hatch variant with two engine options. The 116i petrol comes with a 1.6-litre engine putting a maximum output of 136 hp at 4,400 to 6,450 rpm and a peak torque of 220 Nm at 1,350 to 4,300 rpm. The 118d diesel is fitted with a 2.0-litre engine with a maximum power of 143 hp at 4,000 rpm and a maximum torque of 320 Nm at 1,750 to 2,500 rpm. 

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