BMW Goes Small with the 1 Series by Kelly Foss - www.car-data.com
For us in this country, the first BMWs that were impressed upon our consciousness were the 2002i sports coupes from the 70’s. They weren’t the fastest or the most powerful vehicles on the market. What they delivered, however, was a purist sports car feel in an attractive and solid package. It’s hard to verbalize the feeling that a human being…usually a male…can get from being “one” with the perfect car on the perfect road. It’s a transformational experience akin to falling in love for the first time. Amore! Well, the original BMW 2002’s were often the object of such automotive love affairs. They provided that mystical elusive experience that can stick with a person all their life.
Over the years, as BMW progressed, their vehicles became more capable and complex and the simple, pure sports car no longer existed. The 1 Series is designed to bring us back to those roots. This model comes in either a 2 door coupe or convertible and is noticeably smaller than the 3 Series, currently the smallest model. The family resemblance is instantly recognizable and, though a less complex and smaller vehicle, it does not forfeit the technological gains that BMW has developed over the decades.
Though petite in its dimensions, it is a study in strength and rigidity. It’s almost as though the vehicle was designed and built around a 3 liter straight 6-cylinder engine, rear-wheel drive and 2 front seats. All the other necessary bits to make it a proper BMW are added, but not much more. Yes, there is a back seat but it’s small. You also get a trunk, but don’t pack too heavy. All those things are superfluous to the business at hand…driving the car.
The base 1 Series, the 128i, is powered by a 3 liter, naturally aspirated, 6-cylinder engine producing 230 horsepower. It is totally adequate and a downright satisfying engine for this vehicle. The 135i is a twin turbocharged version of the same engine that delivers 300 horsepower and 300 lb.-ft. of torque. With this engine, BMW has discovered how fun torque can be and it pulls hard from 1,400 rpm all the way to the red line. It will rocket the 1 Series to 60 miles an hour in under 5 seconds. This BMW, like all its brothers, adheres itself to the road and corners like few other vehicles. It’s a totally fun vehicle.
Though designed to be a purist vehicle in the way that it handles the road, BMW offers a long list of upscale options on the 1 Series. These include items like leather seating, a 6-speed automatic transmission, a navigation system with iDrive, a Sport Package, active steering, power heated seats, poplar or walnut wood trim, satellite radio, premium hi-fi audio, etc.
The 1 Series delivers the BMW experience in a more pure form, in a smaller package, at a more affordable price.
