The smallest BMW sedan arrives in North America,powered by three- or four-cylinder gasoline engines.
Remember BMW stating that the 1 Series Sedan was only available in China? That’s right. This front-wheel-drive sedan is built on the same UKL platform that the 2 Series minivans, and the Minis. It will be launched in Mexico along with the RWD 1 Series hatchback in three- and five-door versions. The FWD sedan is only available in Sport Line and costs 489,900 MXN ($24561), which makes it approximately $2,256 less than the base 3 Series Sedan.
The entry-level 1 Series Sedan, also known as the 118iA Sedan Sport Line, is powered by a turbocharged 1.5 liter engine that produces 136 horsepower and 162 pounds-feet (220 Newton meters) of torque. This three-cylinder engine is connected to a six speed automatic gearbox for a sprint of up to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 9.4 seconds. It also has an electronically controlled top speed of 132 miles (212 km/h).
You might find that this seems a bit slow. The 120iA Sedan Sport Line, with its turbocharged 2.0 liter engine, starts at 569,900 MXN ($28.571) The four-cylinder engine produces 192 horsepower and 207 lbft (280 Nm). It is connected to the front axle via an eight-speed manual gearbox. The sprint takes seven and a quarter seconds and the speed tops out at 146 MPH (235 Kph).
The upgrade to the four-cylinder model will have a positive effect on equipment, as the 120iA Sedan Sport Line offers some additional features than the 118i model. Additional features include LED headlights and a panoramic roof. The 40:20/40 split folding rear bench is also useful for carrying bulky cargo.
It doesn’t necessarily mean that the 1 Series Sedan will only be available in Mexico, but it is being launched there. It does show that BMW is open to selling its smallest sedan in other markets.