Munich/Beijing: German car maker BMW has launched its BMW 1 Series sedan in China extending its the range of the German premium brand to include a model tailored specifically to meet the needs of Chinese customers. The car was showcased first at the 2016 Guangzhou Auto Show.
Speaking at the model's launch event in Shanghai, Dr Ian Robertson, BMW AG Management Board member responsible for Sales and Marketing BMW commented, "We sold over half a million cars[4] in China last year and this, our biggest market, continues to offer great potential. Our customers in China have been asking for a smaller model to meet their specific needs and we've worked hard with our
colleagues here to make sure this car not only meets but exceeds those desires."
The BMW 1 Series Sedan[5] was developed at BMW headquarters in Munich with the support of Chinese engineers claims the company. The vehicle concept, and equipment are geared towards the specific requirements of modern target groups in China as well as the road and traffic conditions there.
As per the company, during development for volume production, the new model underwent intense testing and harmonisation both globally like on the Nürburgring as well as in the wide-ranging climatic and road conditions to be found in China so as to ensure a level of everyday suitability and driving pleasure that is oriented towards the real environment in which it will be used.
The BMW 1 Series Sedan is manufactured as part of the joint venture between the BMW Group and BMW Brilliance Automotive Ltd. at the Tiexi plant opened in 2012 which forms part of the Shenyang production site in the north east of China.
The car gets a three-box design, and looks like the mini version of the BMW 3 Series and BMW 5 Series Sedans which are also manufactured at the Shenyang production site.
In the front, BMW 1 series gets a wide radiator grille, large air inlets and twin circular headlights with state-of-the-art LED technology. The rear of the BMW 1 Series Sedan sports a model-specific design dominated by horizontal lines.
On the inside, the car features BMW iDrive operating system and gets a large infotainment system in the centre console and is a standard feature of the BMW 1 Series Sedan in China. The horizontal lines of the instrument cluster continue on into the door trim panels.
BMW is offering a choice of three power units of the BMW Group's latest generation. The car gets a light weight-optimised aluminium construction BMW TwinPower Turbo Technology petrol engine.
The 2.0-litre 4-cylinder engine of the BMW 125i Sedan generates a power of 231 hp and a maximum torque of 350 Nm mated to an 8-speed Steptronic transmission. Another 2.0-litre 4-cylinder engine variant is fitted on the BMW 120i Sedan. With a peak output of 192 hp and a maximum torque of 280 Nm.
The optional driver assistance systems provide an additional safety. The range of systems includes the Driving Assistant including collision warning with city brake function and the Parking Assistant.
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