BMW 120i Test Drive
BMW 1-Series – One Big Boy’s Toy
When we took the 120i, the new BMW 1-Series for a test drive, Vijay of BMW said, “Did you know that the 1-series has the same overall dimensions of the very first 2002ti that was launched in the sixties?” At that time, the 2002ti was launched as a medium sized saloon. How the cars have grown! The 1-series, introduced a little over a month ago in Malaysia, is a car built for the young and young at heart.
With the imminent launch of the new 3 series (E90), which is said to be larger than the current E46, BMW expects that the 1-series will take up where the E46 left off. In Germany and elsewhere in the world, the 1-series would be competing directly against the likes of the Golf and the Audi A3, all three being ‘hot hatches’, but at the moment here, considering what the other two are selling, the 1-series would appear to be standing on its own. It retails for a price about 10 percent lower than the current 3-series, but we have concluded, after our test that the 1-series is a different kettle of fish altogether.
The 120i is fitted with the same 2.0 litre engine that moves the 3-series BMW and even though it does share some of the DNA of the 3, the 120i is built on a completely new platform. An excellent carry over from the 3-series is the positioning of the engine just behind the front axle, giving the car an exact 50-50 balance between front and rear. And naturally, it is a rear wheel drive.
Everything in the 120i is focused on the driver. Much attention has been paid to the driving dynamics, including stability and traction control. The driver’s seat is an engineering work of art, contoured to hug the driver and hold him or her in position all the time. By a happy coincidence, the front passenger gets a similar seat, but that was probably prompted by the designers’ wish for a homogeneous appearance. The rear passengers are not so pampered, and although the seats there are also contoured, there is little or no legroom.
On the road, the driving dynamics are focused on the driver. Handling performance took precedence over ride comfort, and the 120i does feel like it could take on some of the better dirt stages in our local rallies without any problem at all. According to a spokesman, the 2.0 litre has been designed for the ‘true blue’ enthusiast who expects and demands peak performance from the car. If you want a softer ride and better comfort, you are advised to take the 1.6 or 1.8 litre model that will be launched soon. The good side of the sports suspension is that you can throw it into a corner knowing full well that you will come out clean; and if you over cook it, the electronic aids will come into play, throttling down the engine, applying braking to each individual wheel as necessary to keep you pointed in the right direction.
As far as the handling of the car is concerned, I give it top marks. With a firm suspension set-up, 17-inch wheels and ultra low profile rubbers, the 120i sticks to the road like a leech, and with dynamic traction and stability control as a standard feature, it will tackle any corner without fuss. In the hands of an expert, the 120i will fly; even in the hands of a complete idiot, it will still be relatively safe. The electronic aids can be switched off if you are a good driver, wishing to have some sideways fun.
Zero to 100 is a tad over 9 seconds; the car is a little on the heavy side, and the six-speed gearbox (automatic with tiptronic) brings the gear ratios closer together. Gear changes intervals are short. In auto mode, the gear change rpm depends on how hard you put your foot on the throttle; in ‘tiptronic’ mode, they will still change up when you hit maximum revs (sigh). The trend towards six or seven speed gearboxes continues, and I expect that we shall be seeing more of them, including in the new E90. Top speed was licking the 220 kph mark before we ran our of safe road. The car will cruise easily at 160 to 180 kph, and still feels very secure at 200 kph. Building up speed after the 200 kph mark is a slow process of the car trying to overcome a huge wall of air.
In the twisty sections off the highway, the 1-Series handles very well, but the price you pay is the ride quality. This car is not like the 3-series and is not at all near the 5-series. Due to the fact that the car is set up for optimum road performance, the passengers will feel most of the undulations and bumps in the road.
The BMW 120i is a very well built, sporty hatch. It has been designed to give exhilaration at the highest level, that is, at the steering wheel. It will appeal both to the boy racer and the more mature driver alike, the common denominator being the desire for a driver’s car rather than the age. It is not for the user who wants the traditional BMW comfort and excellent ride.
We had a most enjoyable time with the car, almost not wanting to return it. If you can afford RM 229k, you can own one of these babies, knowing that at this price, you are one of those exclusive people who can afford one. And you would be one of those people who truly know what they want.
