BMW · 2011–2019

BMW 1 Series

The second generation of the BMW 1 Series consists of the BMW F20 (5-door hatchback) and BMW F21 (3-door hatchback) subcompact cars. The F20/F21 generation was produced by BMW from 2011 to 2019 and is often collectively referred to as the F20. For the second generation of 1 Series, the coupé and convertible models marketed separately using the new BMW 2 Series nameplate. The F20/F21 was initially powered by inline-four petrol, inline-four diesel and inline-six petrol engines. In 2015, inline-three petrol and diesel engines were added to the model range. All engines are turbocharged. Unlike most hatchback competitors, the F20/F21 uses a rear-wheel drive (rather than 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). In July 2019, the BMW 1 Series (F40) began production as the successor to the F20.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Predecessor: BMW E87

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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. These trim packages differ by alloy wheels, kidney grille, FDS, 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. 114-125 models with the M Sport trim and M Performance models can be fitted with M Performance Parts. These include black kidney grilles, sport brakes for 18 inch and higher wheels, side skirt ground effects, carbon fibre mirrors and an M Performance silencer system for the M135i and M140i.

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, the 114i and M135i were introduced, followed by optional all-wheel drive (xDrive) for the 120d and M135i models. After the introduction of the facelift (LCI) models in 2015, the M140i replaced the M135i, which upgraded the engine to the BMW B58 and included various cosmetic changes. 3-door hatchback (F21). The vehicle was unveiled at the Auto Mobil International Leipzig 2012. The exterior styling was overseen by Nicolas Huet. The launch models consisted of the petrol-engined 114i, 116i, 125i and M135i models, and the diesel-engined 114d, 116d, 116d EfficientDynamics Edition, 118d and 125d models. The inline-six M135i model was unveiled in the 3-door body style at the 2012 Geneva International Motor Show. From 2016, the M140i replaced the M135i, with same engine and options as F20.

Transmissions

Available transmission were: 6-speed manual (Getrag GS6-17 in most models, ZF GS6-45BZ in M135i/M140i) 8-speed ZF 8HP 45 or 50 transmission automatic.

Model year changes

=== 2015 facelift === The facelift ("LCI", "F20N") changes were unveiled at the 2015 Geneva International Motor Show on 5 March, and began production later that month. Changes included: Revised bumpers, tail-lights and LED directional headlights ("Adaptive Headlights") Diesel engines changed from 4-cylinder N47 to 3-cylinder BMW B37 (116d model) and 4-cylinder BMW B47 (118d, 120d and 125d models). 116i and 118i models changed from 4-cylinder N13 engine to 3-cylinder B38. 120i model introduced, powered by the 4-cylinder N13 engine. M135i power increase of 5 kW (7 hp) 2016. M140i model replaces the M135i, powered by the 6-cylinder B58 engine. 120i model changed from 4-cylinder N13 engine to 4-cylinder B48. 125i model changed from 4-cylinder N20 engine to 4-cylinder B48. 2017. New M Sport Shadow Edition trim level. New exterior colours: Seaside Blue and Sunset Orange. New alloy wheel designs. Revised dashboard design, interior switches and instrument cluster. iDrive upgraded to version 6.0.

Motorsport

=== British Touring Car Championship === The F20 raced in the British Touring Car Championship, from 2013 to 2020. The BTCC BMW 125i M Sport entry won the Drivers' title in 2014 and 2018 with Colin Turkington (Turkington also winning the Independent Drivers' title and WSR the Teams' titles both outright and for Independents in 2014) and also won the Constructors' Championship and Teams' Championship every year from 2016 to 2018. Carl Boardley came Runner-up in the Jack Sears Trophy in a 125i in the 2020 Season. The car was later used as a test car for the Hybrid technology that was introduced for the 2022 Season. TCR Touring Car Racing. A 125i briefly raced in the 2021 Touring Car Trophy Season. BMW 1 Series Supercup. In 2022, the BRSCC introduced the BMW 1 Series Supercup for F20 and F21 models. The series was merged with the BMW Compact Cup for the 2025 Season.

Production

The F20/F21 is produced in Leipzig, Germany and Regensburg, Germany. Complete knock-down (CKD) assembly of the F20/F21 is conducted in Araquari, Brazil; Chennai, India; Kulim, Malaysia (by Inokom); and Rayong, Thailand.

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name

BMW 1 Series, (Second generation)

Manufacturer

BMW

Production

September 2011 – May 2019

Model years

2012–2019

Assembly

Germany: Leipzig (BMW Leipzig Plant); Regensburg, Brazil: Araquari, India: Chennai (BMW India), Thailand: Rayong (BMW Thailand), Malaysia: Kulim, Kedah (Inokom)

Designer

Nicolas Huet, Calvin Luk (facelift)

Class

Subcompact executive car (C)

Body style

3-door hatchback , 5-door hatchback

Layout

Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, Front-engine, all-wheel-drive (xDrive)

Platform

BMW L7

Related

BMW 3 Series (F30), BMW 4 Series (F32), BMW 2 Series (F22)

Engine

Petrol:, 1.5 L B38 I3, 1.6-2.0 L N13/N20/B48 I4, 3.0 L N55/B58 I6, Diesel:, 1.5 L B37 I3, 1.6-2.0 L N47/B47 I4

Transmission

6-speed manual, 8-speed ZF 8HP 45 transmission automatic

Wheelbase

2690 mm

Width

1765 mm

Length

4324 mm

Height

1421 mm

Kerb weight

1360 -

Predecessor

BMW 1 Series (E87)

Successor

BMW 1 Series (F40)

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Measured facts from Wikidata (CC0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

US EPA fuel-economy records

US EPA test figures (US MPG, US test cycle).

Sources

• Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q796490CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_1_Series_(F20)CC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1374263029 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2018_BMW_118i_SE_Automatic_1.5.jpgCC BY-SA 4.0 · Photo: Vauxford · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.

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