Before its official local launch in July, BMW has set pricing for the facelifted 1 Series. You can read more about the mid-life changes here, but for this is what the line-up will look like:
BMW drops the 116i nomenclature and the 118i’s version of the 1,6-litre turbopetrol. Therefore, the new entry-level model is the 118i, but with the 116i’s powertrain. It still develops 100 kW/220 N.m and costs R343 847 in three-door guise and R352 847 with two extra doors. By comparison, the Audi A3/A3 Sportback 1,4T FSI cost R334 000/R341 500. Mercedes-Benz has stopped importing the A180.
Next up is the 130 kW/250 N.m 120i. The three-door retails for R366 283 and the five-door costs R376 283. Audi charges R371 500/R379 000 for equivalent A3s and Benz R376 642 for the A200.
The sole diesel derivative is the 140 kW/400 N.m 120d that’s sold only in the more practical five-door configuration. It costs R410 500 (a nice round number because it’s exempt from emissions taxation). The A3 Sportback 2,0 TDI SE sells for R413 000 and the A220 CDI a pricey R444 400.
Entering hot-hatch territory is the 125i and its 160 kW/310 N.m 2,0-litre turbopetrol. Pricing here is R440 977/R449 976, which put these models squarely in the sights of the Benz A250 Sport at R481 888.
Lastly, the 240 kW/450 N.m M135i retails at R547 454/R556 454, making it a veritable bargain when compared with the more powerful A45 AMG (R659 717) but facing stiff competition from the Audi S3/S3 Sportback at R524 000/R548 500.
Depending on the model, a standard eight-speed auto (R18 000) or sport auto ‘box (R20 100) are available. All models boast a five-year/100 000 km maintenance plan.