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By
EWAN KENNEDY
21 April 2008
One of the most eagerly anticipated new models from BMW for
many a year has finally lobbed into Australia. The 1 Series 135i
coupe is a bargain in prestige performance car terms; perhaps an
odd statement for a car that’s priced at $71,400 in the minds of
those who don’t know their cars. But those who do appreciate
high-performance machines and the image that goes with any BMW
will realise it really is a bargain.
And if you don’t have upwards of $74,000 sitting in your
motoring budget, then you may care to look at the 135i Sport’s
smaller brother. Because the 125I carries a tag of only $54,000.
On-road costs do have to be factored in, and if you insist (heaven
forbid!) on an automatic transmission that will set you back a
further $2800. Trust us, these are bargain prices when you look at
big brother BMW 335i coupe and the M3 coupe, which are priced at
$108,900 and $157,000.
The BMW 135i Sport, which is powered by a 3.0-litre twin-turbo
straight-six petrol unit producing 225 kW and 400 Nm could just as
aptly been called a BMW M1. Except that the tag M1 was taken up in
late 1970s by a full-on BMW supercar. Thus the M1 title for this
hot little coupe won’t be continued downwards from the current
M3 and M5 series.
Having that much engine in such a small car means the 1 Series
135i Sport coupe can accelerate from rest to 100 km/h in about 5.3
seconds. Think of what that means in the way of safe overtaking,
not to mention smiles on drivers’ faces.
Chassis balance is guaranteed in any BMW and this new coupe,
which was launched to the press on the superb driving roads in the
foothills of the Snowy Mountains, is simply awesome in the way it
holds the road. Yet it manages good comfort, partly due to the
latest design in run-flat tyres. BMW is a strong believer in these
safety tyres but has been criticised by some for being too harsh,
surely these criticisms will now be laid to rest.
Styling is just great. The front is modified from that already
seen in the 1 Series hatch, and the rear is smooth and neat,
without any of the controversial lines seen on some others in
other new-generation BMW ranges.
The BMW 1 Series coupe is on the tight side in the back seat,
even more so than in the hatchback on which it is based. Image
being what it is, the tight back seat of the coupe isn’t likely
to have any real effect on sales.
Those who are less into the revhead state of mind will find
themselves happy enough with the 125i coupe. Its six-cylinder
engine has the same 3.0-litre capacity as that of the 135i (we do
wish BMW would get some sanity back into its model names!) but it
doesn’t run to turbochargers. Nonetheless it has a healthy 270
Nm and 160 kW so still manages plenty of push in the back when you
want to get serious.
These pretty little coupes seem certain to make real waves on
the sales scene for BMW. To the extent that, if you’re halfway
interested, we suggest you don’t put off your visit to a dealer
for too long.
© Copyright
Marque Publishing Company
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