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Vehicle on test

BMW 1-series Coupe
Good:

Ride & handling, performance, economy
Not so Good:

Rear legroom, pricing
Overall:

A day or so after the 1-series Coupé was launched to the UK press, BMW announced that the 500,000th 1-series car was about to roll off the production line. Half a million cars in a little over three years suggests the 1-series has been something of a success story for BMW (to put it mildly) and things can only improve still further with the arrival in showrooms of the Coupé.

Three engines and three trim levels make up the range, although only the least powerful engine comes in all three flavours. That engine - a two-litre turbodiesel - will provide the bulk of Coupé sales, although the other powerplants are, in our view, better performers. Where the entry-level engine scores is fuel economy; thanks to BMW’s “Efficient Dynamics” programme, it’ll return close to 60mpg while still hitting 62mph from rest in less than 8 seconds.

The other turbodiesel-engined car, however, was actually our favourite of the line-up. Although it’s another two-litre motor, it’s badged as a 123d to avoid confusion with its sibling and it’s a cracker. It’ll reach 62mph in exactly 7 seconds and return over 50mpg while doing so – the best performance and economy figures in its class, thanks to the use of technology such as low rolling resistance tyres, Brake Energy Regeneration and Stop-Start engines (the technology behind “Efficient Dynamics”). BMW boast that the engine is actually the most powerful two-litre, four-cylinder production diesel in the world.

Another headline-grabbing engine lies under the bonnet of the range-topper. Only available in M Sport trim, the 135i can best be described as a “baby M3” – it’s that good. Its three-litre, twin-turbo engine has already been proclaimed as “Engine of the Year” and it propels the car to 62mph in a whisker over 5 seconds and goes on to hit an electronically-limited top speed of 155mph. Fuel economy isn’t that bad either, at over 30mpg, although the 135i doesn’t get the full range of “Efficient Dynamics” bits and pieces that the diesels do.

Looks-wise, the Coupé didn’t get off to the best of starts, thanks to some none-too-flattering photos when it was first revealed but, hopefully, our slideshow and video show that it’s actually quite an attractive car; there are a few visual tweaks over the 1-series hatches, but the obvious difference is a surprisingly decent-sized boot. The rear seats are built for two, rather than three, but legroom isn’t great, is has to be said. To be honest, though, the car is aimed at the younger buyer and so it’s likely that only the front seats will get any regular use.

The driving experience, key to any BMW, is excellent. A slightly notchy gearchange in the 123d was our only criticism, while the 135i put a huge grin on our faces as we subjected the car to a range of A and B roads in Berkshire, although we could see our licences racking up points very easily if we weren’t careful. Our time with both cars was limited, sadly, but initial impressions of the range were very favourable. Prices are, as always with a prestige German manufacturer, a little on the steep side, with the entry-level car costing over £20,000 and the 135i closer to £30K. The press pack also offered several pages of options that’ll happily drive the price higher still, should you require.

The 1-series might have only been around since 2004, but the launch of the 3-door and now the Coupé means BMW are clearly more than happy with the way sales are going – particularly in the USA. Attracting a younger audience to the BMW brand for the first time is vital and the Coupé aims to do just that. What’s more, it stands a good chance of succeeding.

Report by Mark James

Attached Images

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