BMW 1 Series (F20)


The second generation of the BMW 1 Series consists of the BMW F20 and BMW F21 compact cars. The F20/F21 generation was produced from 2011 to 2019 and is often collectively referred to as the F20.
For the second generation of 1 Series, the coupé and convertible models were spun off to create the new BMW 2 Series nameplate.
The F20/F21 was initially powered by four-cylinder petrol, four-cylinder diesel and six-cylinder petrol engines. In 2015, three-cylinder petrol and diesel engines were added to the model range. All engines are turbocharged.
Unlike most hatchback competitors, the F20/F21 uses a longitudinally mounted engine and rear-wheel drive for most models. The F20/F21 is the first 1 Series to offer an optional all-wheel drive. The F20 has seen use in the British Touring Car Championship, winning the Constructors' Championship and Teams’ Championship.
In China and Mexico, the BMW 1 Series 4-door sedan was also sold alongside the F20/F21 in the 1 Series range. However, the F52 is largely unrelated to the F20/F21 range, as it uses the BMW UKL platform, which is front-wheel drive and shared with the MINI, BMW 2 Series Active Tourer and X1.
In July 2019, the BMW 1 Series began production as the successor to the F20.

Suspension

Like its E87 predecessor, the F20/F21 uses aluminum multi-link suspension.

Equipment

Available equipment includes satellite navigation with an 8.8 inch screen, iDrive, LED headlights and digital radio.
The interior and exterior trim is either Sport Line, Urban Line or M-Sport Line. These trim packages differ by alloy wheels, kidney grille and other appearance-related features.
In November 2015, the optional Automatic parking was upgraded.

Body styles

5-door hatchback (F20)

The F20 five-door hatchback was the first of the F20/F21 body styles to be released. It was unveiled in 2011 at the Frankfurt Motor Show and then the Auto Guangzhou motor show.
Early models included the 116i, 118i, 116d, 118d, 120d. In 2012, the 125i, 125d and 116d EfficientDynamics Edition models were introduced. In July 2012, 114i and M135i were introduced, followed by 120d xDrive and M135i xDrive.
After the introduction of LCI models in 2015, in the same year, M135i was replaced with M140i, which adds a few HP's, also was available in Shadow Line Package which as standard gives Shadow/black side window trim, high-gloss black kidney grilles, new designed black wheels and slightly tinted front and rear lights.

3-door hatchback (F21)

The vehicle was unveiled in Auto Mobil International Leipzig 2012.
Early models included 114i, 116i, 125i, M135i, 114d, 116d, 116d EfficientDynamics Edition, 118d, 125d; followed by 118i, M135i xDrive, 120d, 120d xDrive in November 2012. From 2016, M135i was replaced with M140i, with same engine and options as F20.
The high performance six-cylinder M135i model was unveiled in the 3-door body style at the 2012 Geneva International Motor Show. The production version was available in both 3-door and 5-door body styles.

Models

Petrol engines

Official specifications are as follows:
ModelYearsEnginePowerTorque
114i2012-2015N13
1.6 L I4 turbo
at 4,000 rpm
at 1,100-3,900 rpm
116i2012-2015N13
1.6 L I4 turbo
at 4,400-6,450 rpm
at 1,350-4,300 rpm
116i2015-2019B38
1.5 L I3 turbo
at 4,500-6,000 rpm
at 1,250-3,900 rpm
118i2012-2015N13
1.6 L I4 turbo
at 4,800-6,450 rpm
at 1,500-4,500 rpm
118i2015N13
1.6 L I4 turbo		100 kW
at 4,400-6,450 rpm
at 1,350-4,300 rpm
118i2015-2019B38
1.5 L I3 turbo
at 4,000-6,000 rpm
at 1,250-4,000 rpm
120i2015-2016N13
1.6 L I4 turbo
at 4,800-6,450 rpm
at 1,350-4,500 rpm
120i2016-2019B48
2.0 L I4 turbo
at 5,000 rpm
at 1,350-4,250 rpm
125i2012-2015N20
2.0 L I4 turbo
at 5,000 rpm
at 1,350-4,800 rpm
125i2016-2019B48
2.0 L I4 turbo
at 5,200 rpm
at 1,400-5,000 rpm
M135i2012-2015N55
3.0 L I6 turbo
at 5,800-6,400 rpm
at 1,300-4,500 rpm
M135i2015-2016N55
3.0 L I6 turbo
at 5,800-6,400 rpm
at 1,300-4,500 rpm
M140i2016-2019B58
3.0 L I6 turbo
at 5,500 rpm
at 1,520-4,500 rpm

Diesel engines

Official specifications are as follows:
ModelYearsEnginePowerTorque
114d2012-2015N47
1.6 L I4 turbo
at 4,000 rpm
at 1,500-2,750 rpm
116d2011-2015N47
2.0 L I4 turbo
at 4,000 rpm
at 1,750-2,500 rpm
116d2015-2019B37
1.5 L I3 turbo
at 4,000 rpm
at 1,750-2,250 rpm
118d2011-2015N47
2.0 L I4 turbo
at 4,000 rpm
at 1,750-2,500 rpm
120d2011-2015N47
2.0 L I4 turbo
at 4,000 rpm
at 1,750-2,750 rpm
120d2015-2019B47
2.0 L I4 turbo
at 4,000 rpm
at 1,750-2,500 rpm
125d2012-2015N47
2.0 L I4 turbo
at 4,400 rpm
at 1500-2500 rpm
125d2015-2019B47
2.0 L I4 turbo
at 4,400 rpm
at 1,500-3,000 rpm

Transmissions

Transmission options are a six-speed manual or an eight-speed ZF 8HP automatic.

Model year changes

2015 facelift

In March 2015, the facelift models began production. The facelift was unveiled at the 85th Geneva International Motor Show 2015, followed by Auto Shanghai 2015.
Changes included:
At the 2015 BMW Group Innovation Days at Miramas proving grounds in southern France, BMW unveiled a prototype model using a water injection engine.
The 3-cylinder B38 petrol engine uses a similar approach as the 6-cylinder engine fitted to the production F82 M4 GTS, by spraying a water mist into the intake manifold plenum chamber. The compression ratio is increased from 9.5:1 to 11.0:1, power and torque increased by 10 percent and the engine is compatible with low-octane fuel. Some of the water required for the system is automatically collected from the condensation from the air-conditioning system.
To date, no production version has been announced.

Production

The F20/F21 is produced in Leipzig, Germany; Regensburg, Germany; Araquari, Brazil; Shenyang, China ; and Chennai, India
Complete knock-down assembly of the F20/F21 is conducted in Kulim, Malaysia and Rayong, Thailand.

Awards

In 2011, the F20/F21 1 Series won the Bild am Sonntag magazine Golden Steering Wheel award.
In 2015, the M135i was the Sport Auto magazine winner of best compact car up to €50,000.
In 2017, the M140 was the What Car? magazine winner of best hot hatch over £25,000.