BMW 1 Series (E87)

The first-generation BMW 1 Series is a small family car produced by the German automaker BMW since 2004, when it replaced the BMW 3 Series Compact range as the smallest and cheapest vehicle in the BMW range. As of May 2013, the 3-door and 5-door hatchbacks have been superseded by the F20 and F21 models, however the E82 coupe and E88 convertible variants are still in production.

The 1 Series featured a rear-wheel drive chassis, 50:50 weight balance, longitudinally-mounted engine and aluminum multilink suspension. A range of straight-4 straight-6 petrol and diesel engines were used. It was produced in the following body styles: 3-door hatchback, 5-door hatchback, coupe and 2-door convertible.

The 1 Series accounted for nearly one-fifth of the total sales in 2008.

The 1 Series was developed alongside the E90 3 Series. Design work was done by Christopher Chapman in 2001, which was frozen for series production at the end of 2001. The 2002 CS1 Concept previewed the 1-Series design elements at the 2002 Geneva Motor Show.

The 1 Series was launched globally in Autumn 2004 and shares many structural, chassis, powertrain, hardware and electronic elements with the larger E90 3-Series. The model was started to provide a lower point of entry into the BMW range as the 3 Series moved gradually up-market. Initially launched as a five-door hatchback, a three-door version was also launched in July 2007.

The 1 Series Coupé was unveiled in Internationale Automobil-Ausstellung 2007, which went on sale on November 24, 2007.

The 1 Series coupe and convertible went on sale in the United States and Canada in model year 2008 as the 128i and the 135i. Other countries received the 120i and 125i in both platforms. The convertible, unlike the 3 Series convertible, uses a soft-top instead of a folding hardtop.

The North American introduction of the coupe and cabriolet was during the second quarter of 2008, which was credited for helping BMW overtake Lexus as the top luxury brand.

The first-generation 1 series shares shares over 60% of components with the E90 3-Series. including front and rear suspension.

The 1 Series Coupé was marketed in the US as a successor to the BMW 2002, a two-door from the 1970s known for its light weight and relative high performance at the time and its long bonnet, slim cabin and short rear.

In the 1-series hatchback commercial, Kermit the Frog was shown driving a BMW 1 Series around in a desert making figure eights, showcasing the car's agility.

Jeremy Clarkson and other journalists raised aesthetic complaints about the 1-series, adding at the end of his review for the Sunday Times 'The 1-series is crap.

Critical response has changed in recent years with the introduction of the Coupé, and convertible model - which have been described as 'returning BMW to its roots', and the 135i has been described as the successor of the original E30 M3 of the 2040. Clarkson himself awarded the 2008 model five stars, and had the following to say: 'The 135 coupé is the best car BMW makes.

The BMW 118d won the 'World Green Car Award' in 2008 as a performance-oriented car with CO2 emissions and fuel consumption comparable to Toyota Prius.

 

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