BMW 1 Series updated for 2015

The BMW 1 Series has been updated for 2015, with new engines, new options and extra standard equipment, as well as some subtle design tweaks. The model range starts at £20,775 for the entry-level 118i petrol, rising to £31,725 for the top-of-the-range M135i performance version.

Visual changes are minor, consisting of a lower front bumper with larger air intakes, a slightly reshaped grille and new headlamps incorporating LED daytime running lights that are standard across the range.

Full LED headlights (for the dipped and main beams) are an option, as are adaptive LED lights that turn with the steering to better illuminate the road ahead. LEDs have also been added to the rear light clusters.

Inside, there's new cloth fabric for the seats, while as before, every model in the range gets a 6.5-inch screen for the standard BMW iDrive infotainment system. The optional upgraded Professional Navigation system has been enhanced, however, with a larger touchpad for inputting characters and a slim 8.8-inch display screen.

BMW has also added additional economy-boosting EfficientDynamics features across the range. The 1 Series already boasted a system to recoup energy from the brakes, an indicator showing you the best time to shift gear, electric power steering and a stop-start system to 'pause' the engine when the car is stationary.

Now, 1 Series with an automatic gearbox have a coasting function to save even more fuel, while those with the optional Professional Navigation system advise you to lift off the accelerator when approaching corners, roundabouts or a lower speed limit.

Highlights of the new engine range include a 1.5-litre, three-cylinder diesel in the 116d. In new EfficientDynamics Plus form, it returns a claimed 83.1mpg, with CO2 emissions of just 89g/km. The full line-up is as follows:

As before, trim levels are SE, Sport and M Sport. All cars get electrically heated mirrors, a multifunction leather steering wheel, DAB digital radio, Bluetooth music streaming, 16-inch alloy wheels and front foglights.

Sport increases alloy wheel size to 17 inches while adding ambient interior lighting and Sport trim and styling additions. The top-of-the-range M Sport gets 18-inch wheels, an M Sport bodykit, an M Sport steering wheel, sports suspension and sports seats. The M135i features further upgraded suspension and gearbox to deal with its extra power, as well as unique M135i logos inside.

Finally, the new 1 Series features enhancements to the BMW Connected Drive system, with every car coming with its own SIM card to access mobile services. The car can alert the emergency services in the event of an accident and receive real-time traffic information for the sat-nav system. App functions can also be intergrated using the SIM card or your own smartphone.