Home | News | Road Tests BMW Celebrates 1 Series Milestone in Australia BMW 1 Series convertibles Home > News > BMW 13th March, 2009 BMW 1 Series exceeds 10,000 Australian deliveries Dubbed ‘the one for drivers’ when it arrived in October 2004, the BMW 1 Series was introduced to put BMW on the 'radar' of a younger audience. An immediate hit with customers, sales of the BMW 1 Series exceeded initial expectations. Sales in the first five months topped 700 units and in the first full year deliveries exceeded 2,000 units. Fast forward to 2008 and sales reached a total of 3,124 units for the year, representing a 75 per cent increase on the year before. In February 2009, the sales success of the rear-wheel drive BMW culminated in the delivery of the 10,000th 1 Series model in Australia. “The BMW 1 Series introduced BMW’s ‘Ultimate Driving Machine’ credentials to a new, broader marketplace and younger audience,” said Tom Noble, General Manager Marketing, BMW Group Australia. “The 1 Series offered drivers the unique proposition of a front-engine rear-wheel drive car with the day-to-day benefits of a compact hatchback. This potent combination set it apart from class rivals, providing unmatched driving dynamics, in part thanks to its near 50:50 weight distribution, so typical of BMW.” “With power directed to the rear wheels allowing optimum grip to be maintained and the front wheels left to steer, the result was best in class driving and a BMW that attracted a new set of buyers for the brand,” he said. The BMW 1 Series hatch arrived in Australian showrooms in October 2004 in the guise of the 120i. It was powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder VALVETRONIC engine, producing 110 kW. In the first quarter of 2005, BMW broadened the range with the arrival of the 118i and 116i, both priced below $40,000 (RRP). Hear Chris Goodsell Talk Motoring On Radio & Internet ..... more Late in 2005, BMW introduced the 195 kW 130i Sport. The 130i came 'dressed' with an M Sport Package and a price of $62,000 (RRP). Initially available with a six speed manual, the 130i Sport became available with a six-speed automatic in mid-2006. Also in 2006, BMW announced the addition of 2.0-litre turbo-diesel power for the compact 1 Series range. The 120d arrived in May during the company’s roll-out of diesel powered models across the range. Much needed running changes made to the 1 Series range in June 2007 resulted in a bolder appearance, improved performance and economy and more refinement. For example a second-generation turbo diesel aluminium engine increased power in the 120d to 125kW. Fuel consumption improvements were also recorded for all models equipped with the six speed automatic gearbox. In January 2008, BMW presented the 1 Series Coupé at the Brisbane Motor Show. The 1 Series Coupé was headlined by the 135i Sport, packing a Twin Turbo 225 kW straight six. The 135i Sport was joined by the 160 kW 125i in May. Self-Catering Holiday Accommodation in Denmark, WA ..... more The 1 Series Convertible, which arrived simultaneously in May, became the first compact drop-top from BMW in three decades. The range spanned the 2.0-litre 115 kW 120i Convertible to the hot-shot 135i twin turbo straight six 135i Convertible, and includes the 3.0-litre straight six-cylinder 125i model. “The BMW 1 Series was a sales success, with around 60 per cent of buyers new to the brand. These customers were drawn to premium quality, comprehensive safety and technology, and unmatched driving dynamics in the compact class,” said Noble. BMW 1 Series range: Hatch 118i $38,900 100 kW 180 Nm 7.4 litres per 100 km 177 g/km CO2 120i $43,300 115 kW 200 Nm 7.9 litres per 100 km 189 g/km CO2 120d $46,790 130 kW 350 Nm 4.8 litres per 100 km 128 g/km CO2 130i Sport $58,988 195 kW 315 Nm 9.2 litres per 100 km 220 g/km CO2 Coupé 125i $54,401 160 kW 270 Nm 8.7 litres per 100 km 207 g/km CO2 135i Sport $72,230 225 kW 400 Nm 9.6 litres per 100 km 229 g/km CO2 Convertible 120i $52,900 115 kW 200 Nm 8.1 litres per 100 km 194 g/km CO2 125i $63,755 160 kW 270 Nm 9.1 litres per 100 km 217 g/km CO2 135i Sport $79,644 225 kW 400 Nm 9.8 litres per 100 km 233 g/km CO2 Please note: All figures quoted above are for the manual transmission equipped models. All prices exclude dealer delivery charges and the multitude of state and territory charges, duties, fees, levies and taxes. More BMW News ..... here About | Car Clubs | Home | News | Road Ramblings | Road Tests | Subscribe | Top Drive ©   2009   All rights reserved.   Next Car Pty. Ltd.