Australian pricing and specs locked in for 2025 BMW 1 Series, arriving with spicy hot hatch version at the end of the year to take on Volkswagen Golf, Audi A3 and Mercedes-Benz A-Class

BMW Australia has confirmed pricing and specification for its entry-level hatch locally, the BMW 1 Series, little more than a month after its global reveal.

Set to launch at the end of 2024 as a two-variant offering, the new 1 Series starts from $56,500 before on-road costs for the 2025 BMW 118 hatchback. The faster M135 xDrive kicks off from $82,500. It’s not yet known if there will be a new version of the current mid-spec BMW 128ti.

As has been signalled for all of BMW’s new models, variants no longer wear an ‘i’ after their numerical name, meaning what was the 118i is now the 118. BMW is reserving the letter 'i' for its electric models.

The new 1 Series builds on the features available as standard in the last-gen model, with the 118 set to arrive well fitted out.

Its drivetrain remains a turbocharged 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine, but with 115kW and 230Nm. That’s up 12kW and 10Nm over the current version. Power is sent to the front wheels via a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission with shift paddles for the driver. It has a claimed 0-100km/h time of 8.5 seconds.

118

While the price is also up over the current ask ($54,800), the Bavarian hatch will now also come with features like adaptive M suspension, adaptive LED headlights with high-beam assist, plus the brand’s Driving Assistant Plus and Parking Assistant Plus.

More mod cons come in the form of an auto tailgate, heated front seats, synthetic leather Veganza upholstery and all the existing features like a head-up display, electric seat adjustment and a wireless phone charger.

M135

The all-wheel drive M135 xDrive along with its larger 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine (making 233kW and 400Nm, 8kW more but 50Nm less than before), boasts a 4.9-second sprint to 100km/h.

It comes with a few extra goodies like the more advanced Driving Assistant Professional, active sports front seats with massage function, a Harman/Kardon speaker system and M trim bits like a black roof and spoiler. It also features a panoramic glass roof, 19-inch alloys, and a heated steering wheel.

1 Series interior

If the M135 features sound appealing but if extra power isn’t really a priority, an Enhancement Package for the 118 (at $6500) effectively adds all the hot hatch’s bits to the base car.

An M Sport Package Pro is also available, adding a black roof, M Sport brakes in red, M Lights, M seat belts, sports seats and the rear spoiler to the 118 for $3200 or (what’s not already on it) to the M135 for $2700.