2020 BMW 1 Series Specs Revealed for 118i and 120d

A short test drive even was organized, and it's there that Auto Express got hold of some specs for a couple of models, the 118i and 120d. Why not more? Because that's probably all you're going to get at launch.

We want to reference Mercedes for a quick second here. When it revealed the A-Class about a year ago, it gave the car a base 1.5 diesel, the 1.3 turbo with 163 HP and a 2-liter turbo for the A 250.

BMW's 1 Series will get a 118i at launch. Traditionally, that's been a bad engine, but they seem to be focusing more now. This model features a 1.5-liter 3-cylinder turbocharged to the tune of 140 HP (138nhp).

This unit should have 220 Nm of torque and be able to reach 100 km/h in less than 9 seconds. The standard gearbox is said to be a 7-speed DCT, though we imagine a manual version will also be offered.

Another powertrain we have specs for is the 120d, though the numbers are hardly surprising. Using a 2-liter diesel engine, this model makes 190, so it's perfectly matched against the Mercedes A 220 d. This model will have an 8-speed gearbox and xDrive as an option.

Finally, there's the flagship car, which BMW officially sketched out. The M135i will try to soften the blow of not getting 6-cylinder engines by offering a more powerful 2-liter turbo. It's the same unit found in the X2 M35i, making 306 HP (302bhp) and 450 Nm of torque.

Eventually, an iPerformance plug-in hybrid is planned. It's expected to feature the same setup as the MINI Countryman Cooper S E, meaning a 1.5-liter turbo that's helped by an e-motor to produce 224 HP. Don't make the mistake of thinking the 1 Series rides on the same platform, as its FAAR architecture is better suited to green applications.

This tech is also responsible for a modest weight reduction of 20 kilos (25kg for xDrive models) and better packaging. As we've already mentioned, legroom and cargo space will be positively impacted.