The BMW 1 Series Coupe and Convertible have been refreshed for 2011.

While they’re not very noticeable, there are a couple minor visual changes. A new front apron has been fitted, with integrated fog lamps and new air intakes. The apron contains an “air curtain”, channeling air into the wheel arches to reduce drag. BMW has also tweaked the headlamps and taillamps, and added new colour and wheel options.

The interior also receives some changes. BMW now offers new upholstery and trim, including “Network” fabric upholstery in Magma Brown, and “Boston” leather in Oyster or Savanna Brown. Two new sports steering wheels will be offered, including an M leather steering wheel, and both will come with paddle shifters.

Press Release

The new BMW 1 Series Coupe. The new BMW 1 Series Convertible. Now even more efficient and dynamic.

Outstanding efficiency and sporty driving enjoyment are hallmarks of the BMW 1 Series Coupe and the BMW 1 Series Convertible premium compact-class models. These two-door BMW 1 Series models will be adding to their sporty and elegant appeal in model year 2011 with some carefully selected design modifications, optimised aerodynamics and attractive equipment features. A restyled front apron now showcases the typical BMW personality even more effectively. The central under-bumper air intake is strikingly enhanced by a black trim strip, and the sporty theme continues with the apron-integrated foglamps and the new vertical air intakes, which are mounted well to the outside.

The resized vertical ventilation slits in the front apron channel air into the wheel arches to create a kind of “air curtain” or aerodynamic screening effect across the face of the front wheels, which significantly reduces drag in this area. The Air Curtain is a further step in BMW’s pioneering EfficientDynamics programme. In combination with Brake Energy Regeneration, the Auto Start- Stop function, the gear shift indicator and on-demand control of auxiliary units, it has a further positive impact on fuel consumption and emissions.

New accents on the lighting front: bold and instantly recognisable.

Both the new BMW 1 Series Coupe and the new BMW 1 Series Convertible come with restyled and even more attractive headlights and rear lights. The detailed reworking of the main headlight unit is further enhanced by an accent strip which runs across the top of the twin headlights. The L-shaped rear light cluster, which now features a new, all-red housing, makes a particularly powerful statement, while xenon headlights with integrated LED accent lights (daytime running lights) and LED strips in the rear lights create the typical, instantly identifiable BMW night-time look.

Further fresh new touches are added by the extended range of exterior paintwork colours and wheel styles. Two bright metallic paintwork colours – Vermilion Red and Marrakesh Brown – add to the exclusive appeal of the BMW 1 Series Coupe and BMW 1 Series Convertible. New 17-inch alloy wheels in star-spoke and Streamline styling, and 18-inch V-spoke alloy wheels with mixed tyres, highlight the distinctive character of these two models, which also happen to be the only rear-wheel-drive cars in the compact segment. Even the entry-level BMW 1 Series Convertible 118i will now run on 16-inch V-spoke alloy wheels as standard.

New upholstery: improved interior customisation.

The sporty and exclusive interior feel has been further heightened by new, carefully coordinated interior trim features. The range of seat upholstery and decorative trim features has been extensively revised. The new upholstery options for the BMW 1 Series Coupe and BMW 1 Series Convertible comprise “Network” fabric upholstery in Magma Brown, and Oyster or Savanna Beige “Boston” leather. Other new interior options are a sports leather steering wheel with shift paddles and an M leather steering wheel, again with shift paddles.

On all models, regardless of specification, BMW has now improved the markings on the DSC button in the instrument panel by replacing the letters DSC (Dynamic Stability control) with a new international symbol. On all BMW 1 Series Coupe and BMW 1 Series Convertible models, the standard-version interior now includes a wide range of features that further reinforce the strong sense of quality and refinement. For example, the light control centre and the climate control panel in the centre console now feature elegant chrome edging. The interior trim strip range has been revised and now includes an Alpine White version.

Source: BMW