BMW 120i Coupe

BMW 120i Coupe One of the fastest expanding model ranges German manufacturer BMW is currently offering on the Australian market, the 1 Series, will get some help in its quest for new sales heights with the introduction later this year of the 120i version.

To be priced at AU$47,400, the 120i will become, when it arrives in the country in May, the most affordable version of the 1 Series on the market. It will complete the range currently sold there and which comprises he 123d, 125i and 135i M Sport in the 1 Series Coup.

The 1-Series Coupe is a development of the three- and five-door hatchback variants. While beauty is in the eye of the beholder, few would argue that the two-door 1-Series Coupe appears ungainly. It has little sense of individuality or excitement. It certainly doesn’t turn heads like an Audi TT does. It is claimed to be a full four-seater though, which admittedly places it in between stylish coupes and top-end hatches; competitors also include the Audi A3, VW Golf R32, Volvo C30 and Mercedes C-Class Sports Coupe. There are three trim levels – ES, SE and M Sport – coupled, for the moment, with three engines. The 2.0-litre diesel comes in two states of tune, and there’s also a 3.0-litre twin-turbo petrol. A 2.5-litre six-cylinder petrol will follow.

The BMW 120i Coupe Performance Unlimited Edition features a 2-litre engine with 170hp and a six speed automatic gearbox. On the exterior we have carbon mirror covers, a carbon rear spoiler, black grills, 18-inch wheels and the M Sport package (M Sport trims, seats, steering wheel). For the interior, goodies like aluminum pedals and door sills, leather handbrake and knob are in order. Two colour options are available, in the form of the Alpine White and the LeMans Blue.

The highly strung, bi-turbo engine sounds very obviously forced induction, with a whooshing rush of air dominating the soundtrack as the revs wind out. The yellow rev limit area starts at 7000rpm, slipping into the red by 7500rpm. We spend most of our time hovering around the red; it sounds exciting, with a light pop when the driver backs off.

Front-end grip feels very strong, but from where I’m sitting the rear feels agile enough if less willing to play than the uber-coaxable M3. It’s obviously difficult to say from the passenger seat, but my overall impression is of a clean, tidy, nimble handler.