The BMW F20/F21 is the second generation of the BMW 1 Series range of hatchback cars. It was released in 2011 as the successor to the E81/E87. The body styles of the F20/F21 range are:
- 3-door hatchback (model code F21)
- 5-door hatchback (model code F20)
For the second generation of 1 Series, the coupe and convertible models were spun off to create the BMW 2 Series range.
The F20/F21 was initially powered by four-cylinder petrol, four-cylinder diesel and six-cylinder petrol engines. In 2015, three-cylinder petrol and diesel engines were added to the model range. All engines are turbocharged.
Unlike most hatchback competitors, the F20/F21 uses a longitudinally mounted engine and rear-wheel drive (instead of front-wheel drive) for most models. The F20/F21 is the first 1 Series to offer an optional all-wheel drive (called "xDrive" by BMW). It has seen use in the British Touring Car Championship, winning the Constructors' Championship and Teams' Championship.
Video BMW 1 Series (F20)
Suspension
Like its E87 predecessor, the F20/F21 uses aluminum multi-link suspension.
Maps BMW 1 Series (F20)
Equipment
Available equipment includes satellite navigation with an 8.8 inch screen, iDrive, LED headlights and digital radio.
The interior and exterior trim is either Sport Line, Urban Line or M-Sport Line. These trim packages differ by alloy wheels, kidney grille and other appearance-related features.
In November 2015, the optional Automatic parking (called "Parking Assistant", where the car steers itself to parallel park) was upgraded.
Body styles
5-door hatchback (F20)
The F20 five-door hatchback was the first of the F20/F21 body styles to be released. It was unveiled in 2011 at the Frankfurt Motor Show and then the Auto Guangzhou motor show.
Early models included the 116i, 118i, 116d, 118d, 120d. In 2012, the 125i, 125d and 116d EfficientDynamics Edition models were introduced. In July 2012, 114i and M135i were introduced, followed by 120d xDrive and M135i xDrive.
3-door hatchback (F21)
The vehicle was unveiled in Auto Mobil International Leipzig 2012.
Early models included 114i, 116i, 125i, M135i, 116d, 116d EfficientDynamics Edition, 118d, 125d; followed by 118i, M135i xDrive, 120d, 120d xDrive in November 2012.
The high performance six-cylinder M135i model was unveiled in the 3-door body style at the 2012 Geneva International Motor Show. The production version was available in both 3-door and 5-door body styles.
4-door sedan (F52)
Sold only in China, the F52 is a 4-door sedan model in the 1 Series range. Unlike the rest of the F20/F21 range, the F52 uses the BMW UKL platform, which is front-wheel drive and shared with the MINI, BMW 2 Series Active Tourer and X1.
The F52 was unveiled as the "Concept Compact Sedan" at Auto Guangzhou 2015, followed by 2016 Beijing Motor Show (in Sunglow Metallic). Sales commenced in February 2017.
Models
Petrol engines
Official specifications are as follows:
Diesel engines
Official specifications are as follows:
Transmissions
Transmission options are a six-speed manual (Getrag GS6-17 or GS6-45) or an eight-speed ZF 8HP automatic.
Model year changes
2015 facelift
In March 2015, the facelift (LCI) models began production (for the 2016 model year). The facelift was unveiled at the 85th Geneva International Motor Show 2015, followed by Auto Shanghai 2015.
Changes included:
- revised bumpers, tail-lights and LED directional headlights ("Adaptive Headlights")
- 116d engine changed from 4-cylinder N47 to 3-cylinder BMW B37
- M135i power increase of 5 kW (7 hp)
2016
- M135i model is replaced by the M140i, powered by the B58 engine
Water injection prototype
At the 2015 BMW Group Innovation Days at Miramas proving grounds in southern France, BMW unveiled a prototype model using a water injection engine.
The 3-cylinder B47 petrol engine uses a similar approach as the 6-cylinder engine fitted to the production F82 M4 GTS, by spraying a water mist into intake manifold plenum chamber. The compression ratio is increased from 9.5:1 to 11.0:1, power and torque increased by 10 percent and the engine is compatible with low-octane (RON 95) fuel. Some of the water required for the system is automatically collected from the condensation from the air-conditioning system.
To date, no production version has been announced.
Production
The F20/F21 is produced in Leipzig, Germany; Regensburg, Germany; Araquari, Brazil; Shenyang, China (F52 sedan, by BMW Brilliance); and Chennai, India
Complete knock-down (CKD) assembly of the F20/F21 is conducted in Kulim, Malaysia (by Inokom) and Rayong, Thailand.
Awards
In 2011, the F20/F21 1 Series won the Bild am Sonntag magazine Golden Steering Wheel award.
In 2015, the M135i was the Sport Auto magazine winner of best compact car up to EUR50,000.
In 2017, the M140 was the What Car? magazine winner of best hot hatch over £25,000.
References
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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