2012 BMW 1 Series 3-door (F21) 116i 6MT RWD (136 HP)

Vehicle Overview

After the introduction of the second generation of the 1 Series in a five-door shape, known as the F20 in factory coding, in 2011, the automaker expanded the range with a three-door version in the following year.

Launched at the Auto Mobil International Leipzig 2012, the new hatchback-styled three-door vehicle from the German automaker was expected by those customers who wanted to get their hands on a more affordable Bimmer and still get the similar pleasure of driving as those aiming at the 3 Series. Furthermore, since the car was shorter, it was better suited for city driving. BMW developed the 1 Series on the same L7 platform as the 3 and 4 Series. This approach helped the automaker lower production costs and also improved some of the downturns of the previous generation of the 1 Series. Thanks to the longer wheelbase (plus 30 mm or 1.2 inches), the rear seats were no longer redundant for adult-sized passengers, and even the trunk was larger. Last but not least, the car benefited from improved engines and, most importantly, a fresh automatic gearbox.

The car was penned after Chris Bangle left the German automaker’s styling department, and the new look was credited to Nicolas Huet. He created a new front fascia that sported triangular-shaped horizontal headlights pointing inward. They featured the already-known corona lights for the DRLs. They flanked the enlarged kidney grille that dominated the front side of the vehicle. Lower, on the bumper, the automaker added a broad air intake that sported round fog lamps on the sides.

From its profile, the 2012 BMW 1 Series 3 door kept the same shape and wheelbase as its five-door sibling. Unlike that, it carried over the idea from the previous generation with the frameless windows and the longer doors that eased access to the rear seats as well. To emphasize the car’s sporty character, BMW sloped down the upper section of the rear windows, like in a coupe, despite the car being a hatchback. However, it kept the famous Hofmeister kick, which was a signature design feature for the entire BMW range since the early 70s. At the back, the tailgate featured a tilted forward window adorned at the top by a roof spoiler. Like its predecessor, the second generation of the 1 Series had corner-mounted taillights. When customers ordered the car with the optional Xenon headlights, they automatically got the L-shaped LED banks for the taillights.

Like most BMWs from those times, the cockpit was driver-oriented. Fronting them was a minimalist-looking instrument cluster filled with the large dials for the speedometer and the rev counter, plus the fuel level gauge. Any other information could be accessed via the car’s standard onboard computer on the screen mounted underneath the main dials. Furthermore, BMW offered the iDrive infotainment system as standard across the range, fitted with a 6.5- or 8.8-inch screen atop the center stack that could show any essential information about the vehicle’s status. As expected, the best seats in the house were at the front, albeit in standard shape, and they were barely bolstered and supportive on the sides. In the back, thanks to the increased wheelbase, customers gained an additional 21 mm (0.8-inch) of knee room. Unfortunately, the tall transmission tunnel still affected legroom.

The 2012 BMW 1 Series three-door was based on a front-engine and rear-wheel drive platform carried over from its bigger sibling, the 3 Series. That meant that it was also available with an all-wheel drive system for specific versions, which was more than welcomed by customers. Another crucial update was the introduction of the eight-speed automatic gearbox that improved fuel efficiency.