Expected to arrive mid-year, the new range includes an exterior design that appears more powerful and dynamic, thanks to newly designed clear glass headlights now integrated in the bumpers, more dominant BMW kidney grille, wider air intake in the lower section of the bumper, as well as modifications to the design of the fog lights, front and rear air dams, rear lights and bumpers.

The upgraded BMW 1 Series also comes with refinements inside the passenger compartment including new materials and modern colour variants together with additional storage options.

A new 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel leads a host of performance improvements and fuel consumption reductions, showcasing the benefits of BMW’s focus on Efficient Dynamics.

The second generation common-rail diesel engine with aluminium crankcase in the new 120d develops a maximum output of 125 kW, an increase of 10 kW over the former engine.

Peak torque is up by 24 Nm to 340 Nm and the new BMW 120d accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 7.8 seconds (previous model: 8.5 seconds).

Despite the performance gains, combined fuel consumption for the new 120d is down to 6.1 litres/100 kilometres (previously 6.6 l/100km).

In other performance gains the four-cylinder VALVETRONIC engines in the new BMW 118i and 120i models produce an additional five kilowatts taking their respective maximum outputs to 100 and 115 kW.

BMW 120i models equipped with the standard six-speed manual gearbox also benefit from a quicker acceleration time of 7.6 seconds, compared to the previous model.

The optional six-speed automatic transmission (standard on the 120d) comes with new converter technology featuring an integrated torsion damper reducing energy losses and ensuring even shorter reaction and gearshift times.

Fuel consumption improvements are recorded by all models equipped with the automatic gearbox.

The 118i and 130i Sport automatic models both reduce fuel consumption by 0.2 litres to achieve 7.6 litres/100 kilometres and 9.2 litres/100 kilometres respectively on the combined cycle.

The corresponding figure for the 120i automatic is a fuel consumption reduction of 0.3 litres to 7.6 litres/100 kilometres, whilst the 120d has improved by 0.5 litres to 6.1 litres/100 kilometres.

A new USB interface, available as an option, supplements the standard AUX plug, enabling the driver or passenger to integrate an external MP3 plater into the audio system and make use of the steering wheel buttons to choose music.

Exterior paint finishes include new colours in Montego Blue and Patagonia Green and newly styled alloy wheels will become available for the 118i, 120i and 120d models.

A daytime running lights function, provided by corona rings in the double round headlights, are incorporated in the bi-xenon headlight package also available as an option.

The brake lights on the new BMW 1 Series operate in two levels of brightness as a function of brake pressure, giving motoring following behind a clear and immediate signal, when the driver applied the brakes particularly hard for maximum stopping power.