- The upcoming 2025 BMW 1-Series features a significant makeover to its exterior with sharper looks and a revamped front fascia.
- The cabin will get a major overhaul, featuring BMW’s latest curved display setup with dual screens and a redesigned center console.
- The hatch is expected to continue with a FWD layout offering various powertrains, including a plug-in hybrid variant and a more powerful M version.
Although BMW’s current 1-Series, codenamed F40, feels relatively recent, having been launched in the summer of 2019, the Munich-based automaker is gearing up for a significant revamp to maintain its appeal and market relevance against rivals such as the Audi A3 and the Mercedes-Benz A-Class.
Amid speculation, it might not be an entirely brand-new model, despite confirmation of its internal model code F70. We provide an illustrated sneak peek in M135i guise, offering a comprehensive look at what we know so far.
Sharper Looks
The new 1-Series retains a similar footprint and fundamental design elements as its predecessor, marking an evolutionary rather than revolutionary update. The aesthetic now incorporates more vibrant bumper contours and a front facade echoing the latest BMW 5-Series.
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Features include vertical Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) that add a more striking visual element to the front end. The redesigned slender twin kidney grilles, and a trapezoidal lower air intake contribute to its sleeker appearance. Other notable elements include more sculpted side skirts, a traditional Hoffmeister kink on the C-pillar, distinctive quad tail lamps (in M135i spec) and revamped rear bumper and LED lights.
Interior Smarts
Unlike the exterior, the cabin will undergo a significant makeover. It will introduce BMW’s cutting-edge curved freestanding digital display setup with dual screens, each 10.25-inch and 10.7-inch, running on the latest BMW Operating System 9, which includes the “QuickSelect” menu for iDrive, likely resembling the setups used in the recent BMW X1 and X2 crossovers
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Prospective features include an augmented reality head-up display (HUD), integration with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a redesigned center console sporting a minimalist gear shifter, a rotary volume control, and dual USB ports for easy access. Interior dimensions will remain largely unchanged, with a suite of enhanced safety assists such as parking assistant, safe exit warning, and advanced dynamic radar cruise control.
Under The Skin
Projected as a substantial facelift rather than an entirely new platform, the upcoming 1-Series is expected to continue utilizing the front-wheel-drive architecture shared with the combustion-engine Mini Cooper.
Under the hood, it will likely offer a variety of powertrain options. These should include a 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine delivering 121 hp (90 kW/122 PS) and 170 lb-ft (230 Nm) of torque, confirmed for the 116i version. Additionally, 2.0-litre petrol and diesel variants will be available, including a successor to the current M135i that pumps out 302 hp (225 kW/306 PS) and 332 lb-ft (450 Nm) of torque.
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A plug-in hybrid version is also anticipated, boasting 322 hp (240 kW / 326 PS) and an electric-only range exceeding 50 miles (80 km) under the WLTP cycle. There’s also buzz about a more potent 1-Series M variant with an even stronger powertrain.
Rivals and Reveal
The BMW 1-Series primarily competes against the Mercedes-Benz A-Class and Audi A3, but also faces competition from lower-cost rivals such as the Mazda3, Volkswagen Golf, and Peugeot 308. This segment serves as an entry point to luxury vehicle ownership but isn’t particularly lucrative. Once again, the 1-Series is not expected to be available in the American market.
An official unveiling of the updated model is slated for later this year.
Does BMW’s update go far enough? Share your views in the comments below.
