Though the primary BMW to formally be known as a 1 Collection debuted in 2004, the producer was making compact variations of its fashions over a decade earlier than. The system was at all times the identical: take a platform that you just construct greater vehicles on, shorten it, give it a younger exterior design, after which equip it with an inside that doesn’t really feel fairly nearly as good as within the bigger vehicles.

Following within the footsteps of its foremost opponents, the newest iteration of the 1 Collection has gone front-wheel drive. BMW hasn’t applied a reputation change, although, even when it has modified the system, and the 1 Collection stays the entry-level BMW for individuals who wish to expertise this model’s distinctive mix of qualities however in a smaller, extra reasonably priced (and now front-wheel drive) package deal. Let’s look again in any respect the fashions which have led as much as the modern-day BMW 1 Collection and its derivatives, and the way the system has advanced over time.

E36 Compact

The E36 3 Collection Compact was launched in 1994 as the primary BMW hatchback for over 20 years. Its entrance half till the A-pillar was similar to the bigger E36 fashions, however the design of the greenhouse after that time was fairly completely different. It was solely obtainable as a three-door hatchback and a method BMW was capable of make it cheaper than the large 3 Collection was through the use of the semi-trailing arm rear suspension design from the older E30. This apparently made the automobile fairly keen to show, so despite the fact that it didn’t have a lot horsepower, you can pretty simply provoke oversteer.

Initially obtainable with 1.6- and 1.8-liter four-cylinder engines and one 1.7-liter diesel, the E36 Compact gained the a lot spicier M52 2.5-liter inline-six in 1997. This mannequin was dubbed the 323ti, and it was essentially the most highly effective variant made, with 168 horsepower that would propel it from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.8 seconds and on to 143 mph (230 km/h) flat out. There was additionally a really cool one-off M3 Compact constructed by BMW’s Motorsport division in 1996 to have fun the 50^th anniversary of the German automotive journal Auto, Motor und Sport, however there have been by no means any plans to construct extra.

E46 Compact

After the E36 Compact was discontinued in 2000, it was changed that very same yr with the E46 Compact, which stored a lot of its system unchanged. It was nonetheless constructed on a shortened model of the platform that underpinned the three Collection, however it had distinctive entrance finish styling (with a break up headlight design), in addition to a singular set of back lights.

It grew in measurement by 25 mm (1 inch), and it was marginally roomier inside, however it was nonetheless solely obtainable as a three-door hatch. Most of its engines had been nonetheless four-cylinder, starting from 1.6 to 2 liters however it additionally obtained a extra highly effective M54 2.5-liter six-cylinder with 189 horsepower. Apparently, the second-quickest variant was not one other gasoline engine however the 320td diesel with 150 horsepower and 330 Nm (243 lb-ft) of torque, able to accelerating to 100 km/h (62 mph) in beneath 9 seconds.

E81 / E82 / E87 / E88

The primary BMW to be the known as 1 Collection was launched in 2004, and it was briefly offered alongside the E46 Compact earlier than the latter was phased out. The introduction of the 1 Collection introduced with it an growth to 4 completely different physique kinds: the E87 five-door hatch, the E81 three-door hatch, the E82 coupe, and the E88 convertible. Collectively known as the E8X, this mannequin gave entry-level BMW consumers much more selection by way of physique kinds in addition to engines. Most of the identical models had been carried over, however six-cylinder vehicles obtained the bigger N52 3-liter engine, which made 265 horsepower and despatched the five-door model from naught to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 6.1 seconds, permitting it to high out at 250 km/h (155 mph).

The E82 coupe had completely different range-topping engines, together with a turbocharged N55 3-liter straight-six with 306 horsepower. Diesel followers might choose the twin-turbocharged 123d, which revamped 200 horsepower however was additionally remarkably environment friendly.

BMW additionally made a devoted Motorsport mannequin based mostly on the E82, the 1M Coupe, which acquired 335 horsepower, in addition to the everyday M widebody remedy. It might speed up to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5 seconds and keep on all the way in which to over 273 km/h (170 mph) with its velocity limiter eliminated. It’s thought of by many fanatics to be one of the vital BMW driver’s vehicles launched within the final 20 years, which, mixed with its rarity, has pushed used costs by way of the roof.

F20 / F21 / F22 / F23 / F45 / F46

The second technology 1 Collection debuted in 2011, and it introduced with it an enormous discount within the variety of obtainable physique kinds. BMW solely retained the three- and five-door hatchback our bodies designated F21 and F20, respectively. With this mannequin, BMW additionally launched new entry-level mannequin designations, just like the 114i and 114d, with the latter requiring over 12 seconds to succeed in 100 km/h (62 mph) from a standstill.

It was additionally supplied because the 125i, which, regardless of its mannequin designation, didn’t have a 2.5-liter six-cylinder beneath the hood however a turbocharged 2-liter four-cylinder with 218 horsepower. There was additionally a 125d with the identical horsepower quantity, extra torque, and higher effectivity, that featured a twin-turbo model of the BMW 2-liter diesel, a direct successor to the enjoyable 123d.

The highest-of-the-range mannequin was the 135i, which turned the 140i after the mannequin acquired its mid-lifecycle refresh. You may order this variant with both a handbook or an computerized transmission, and xDrive all-wheel drive was additionally obtainable, so fanatics might configure their dream 1 Collection in many alternative methods. No devoted M mannequin was supplied for the F20 however given how highly effective (and tunable) the B58 3-liter six-cylinder within the high variants was, it by no means appeared like an enormous absence.

For this technology, BMW modified the designation of the two-door 1 Collection to the two Collection, which was known as F22 in coupe guise, and the drop-top acquired the codename F23. These two fashions had a totally completely different two-door physique that shared no components with the common hatchback, in addition to barely sportier suspension tuning, however the engine vary was nearly fully carried over.

BMW additionally spun off the two Collection nameplate with the addition of the two Collection Energetic Tourer and Grand Tourer, the F45 and F46, launched in 2014 and 2015, respectively. These had been five- and seven-seater minivans based mostly on the UKL2 front-wheel drive platform, which additionally underpinned the X1 and X2, in addition to the Mini Countryman and Mini Clubman fashions. Each had been discontinued in 2021, however they foreshadowed BMW’s need to modify its cheaper fashions to front-wheel drive.

F40 / F44 / G42

With the 2019 arrival of the F40 1 Collection, BMW adopted the mainstream and moved the mannequin to a front-wheel drive-biased platform. Additionally based mostly on UKL2, the F40 was solely obtainable as a five-door hatchback, with non-compulsory all-wheel drive for its extra highly effective variations. The most important engine obtainable was a 2-liter, which within the range-topping M135i xDrive made 306 horsepower and propelled the automotive to 100 km/h (62 mph) in beneath 5 seconds.

With the introduction of the F40, BMW might additionally make a extra conventional front-wheel drive scorching hatch model of its 1 Collection, which materialized with the arrival of the 128ti. It made barely much less energy than the M135i, however it ditched the all-wheel drive and was lighter and extra participating to drive. After having pushed each, I most well-liked the 128ti, even when it was barely slower off the road.

Though BMW deserted its Energetic Tourer and Grand Tourer fashions, it stored the two Collection mannequin designation and launched the F45 2 Collection Gran Tourer, a front-wheel drive sedan to immediately rival the extremely popular Mercedes-Benz CLA. The F44 acquired the identical engines because the F40, together with the range-topping engine known as the M235i xDrive.

BMW hasn’t made all its compact fashions front-wheel drive, although. You possibly can fortunately nonetheless purchase a small, rear-wheel drive mannequin within the type of the G42, the second-generation 2 Collection. Solely obtainable with a hardtop coupe physique, it shares its CLAR platform with all of BMW’s bigger choices and has basic coupe proportions. BMW even launched an M2 based mostly on it known as the G87, which is a extra reasonably priced various to the G82 M4 that provides a lot of the identical expertise however in a barely smaller and lighter package deal.