
BMW 1 Series 2004–present

BMW 1 Series | |
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![]() BMW 118i Urban Line (F20)
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Overview | |
Manufacturer | BMW |
Production | 2004–present |
Body and chassis | |
Class | Compact car / Small family car (C) |
Layout | FR layout |
Chronology | |
Predecessor | BMW Compact |
Successor | BMW 2 Series (for coupé/convertible) |
The BMW 1 Series is a series of small luxury cars manufactured by the German automaker BMW since 2004.
Successor to the BMW Compact, it has been produced in five different body styles The 1 Series sedan is the first BMW model sold only in the Chinese marketFirst Generation (E81/E82/E87/E88; 2004–2013)
BMW 1-Series (E87) | |
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Overview | |
Manufacturer | BMW |
Production | 2004–2011 (E87) 2007–2012 (E81) 2007–2013 (E82) 2007–2013 (E88) |
Assembly | Leipzig, Germany Regensburg, Germany |
Body and chassis | |
Body style | 2-door coupe (E82) 2-door convertible (E88) 3-door hatchback (E81) 5-door hatchback (E87) |
Dimensions | |
Wheelbase | 2,660 mm (104.7 in) |

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 (depending on the engine model) in the BMW range. As of May 2013, the 3-door hatchback (model code E81) and 5-door hatchback (E87) have been superseded by the F20 and F21 models; the 2-door coupe (E82) and the two-door convertible (E88) have been superseded by the new BMW 2 Series.
Model Codes
- E87: 2004–2011 five-door hatchback
- E81: 2007–2011 three-door hatchback
- E82: 2007–2013 two-door coupe
- E88: 2007–2014 two-door convertible
1 Series ActiveE
The BMW ActiveE is a demonstration electric car based on the BMW 1 Series small family cars. It is the second vehicle after the Mini E to be developed under BMW Group's Project i. The electric drive system is the latest addition to BMW's EfficientDynamics program. The US Environmental Protection Agency official range is 151 kilometres (94 mi), with an energy consumption of 33 kW·h/100 miles, and the agency rated the ActiveE's combined fuel economy at 2.3L/100 km (102 miles per gallon gasoline equivalent).
Deliveries of the ActiveE for field testing in the U.S. began in January 2012, after the Mini E trial ended. A total of 1,100 vehicles were produced participate in the program worldwide, with 700 allocated for the U.S. trial and 35 for a trial in China.
Second Generation (F20/F21; 2011–present)
BMW F20, F21 | |
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Overview | |
Production | 2011–present (F20) |
Assembly | Leipzig, Germany Regensburg, Germany Araquari, Brazil |
Body and chassis | |
Body style | 3-door hatchback (F21) 5-door hatchback (F20) |
Related | BMW 2 Series |
Dimensions | |
Wheelbase | 2,690 mm (105.9 in) |
Length | 4,324 mm (170.2 in) |
Width | 1,765 mm (69.5 in) |
Height | 1,421 mm (55.9 in) |
Curb weight | 1,360–1,590 kg (3,000–3,510 lb) |
The 2nd generation BMW 1 Series range comprises 3-door hatchback (model code F21) and 5-door hatchback (F20) models. Like its E87 predecessor, it uses a longitudinally-mounted engine, aluminum multi-link suspension and a rear-wheel drive chassis (however some models are available with all-wheel drive).
The F20 5-door hatchback was unveiled in 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. and released later in 2011.
The M135i was named "The Sports Car of the Year 2012" by Top Gear Magazine.
The coupé and convertible of the F20 will be called the 2 Series.
Model Codes
- F20: 2011–present five-door hatchback
- F21: 2012–present three-door hatchback
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First Generation Sedan (F52; 2017–present)
The 4-door sedan is a front-wheel drive model produced only for the Chinese market.
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