BMW 1-Series Coupe Revealed
Lightweight, powerful, great handling – the attributes that made the 1960’s BMW 2002 so popular, are now available in the BMW 1-Series Coupe, spotted at the Tokyo Motor Show last week. The car on show was the 135i, with the same 3.0 litre twin turbo engine found in the 3-Series Coupe. In a lighter and smaller body, this engine is going to be awesome, and makes the 1-Series Coupe a car with great promise.
Just as well, as the 3-Series is getting too big, and a little ‘soft’. It remains a great car, but is now geared more for prestige and family use. The I-Series Coupe introduction is a timely move by BMW; no doubt they also realise the need for a smaller, high performance car.
The 1-Series Coupe is designed to slot in between the Mini Cooper and the 3-Series. Featuring aluminium suspension at the front and a five-link arrangement at the rear, the Coupe also has frameless windows. Front/Rear weight distribution is traditionally 50:50, a fact that the people at BMW are very proud of. The car on show had a manual 6-speed gearbox, but there should be an auto version available, although why anyone would buy an auto version when there is a manual available baffles me.
The front nose is similar to that of the 1-Series hatchback, but the rear looks so much better with a boot attached. Overall, the 1-Series Coupe looks mean, and will appeal to those who like coupes rather than hot hatches.
The 135i is reputed to do a zero to one hundred kilometres per hour in 5.3 seconds, and has a top speed of approximately 245 km/hr. For Malaysians, be patient; the 1-Series Coupe is coming!
