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Flagship
of the 1 Series Coupé range: the
306hp 135i. |
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APN,
06 October 2007
When the new BMW 1 Series Coupé
hits European showrooms next month (in the U.S. from
spring 2008), it will not just extend the compact
(lower medium size, C segment) 1 Series line-up with a
3rd variation (besides the 3- and 5-door models).
It also paves the way for the
fourth 1 Series model: the Convertible,
which will follow shortly after the Coupe. Next year,
a fifth 1 Series model will follow: the X1 SUV.
Like the 1 Series Convertible, the
top 1 Series Coupé version is the BMW 135i Coupé with
its 3.0-litre, 306hp twin-turbocharged petrol, light
alloy and magnesium straight-six engine. It
accelerates from zero to 100 km/h (62mph) in 5.3
seconds before going on to an electronically-limited
top speed of 250 km/h (155mph). Peak torque is 400Nm,
from 1300rpm through to 5000rpm.
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50:50
weight distribution, a front-engine
and rear-wheel drive. |
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With its High Precision Direct
Injection and Bi-Vanos variable valve technology
combined with lightweight engineering principles, the
2979cc engine posts a 9.2 litres/100 km (10.87
km/litre, 30.7 imperial mpg) figure on the combined
cycle and a CO2 emissions figure of
220g/km.
There is also BMW’s
EfficientDynamics programme, which boosts engine
performance while at the same time cuts fuel
consumption and emissions. Second generation High
Precision Direct Injection and Brake Energy
Regeneration (more about it in the BMW
1 Series Convertible presentation) are both
elements of EfficientDynamics.
The BMW 135i Coupé is
joined in the range by another twin-turbocharged
model, the 204hp four-cylinder diesel engine in the
BMW 123d Coupé. BMW claims its 1995cc
powerplant is the world’s first all aluminium diesel
to have a specific output figure in excess of 100hp
per litre, and to be also the first four-cylinder
production diesel to come with twin-turbo technology.
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New
Coupe with Auto Start-Stop and
Electric Power Steering. |
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Peak torque is
400Nm from 2,000rpm, while the engine revs to in
excess of 4400rpm where peak power is attained. Zero
to 100 km/h (62mph) takes 7.0 seconds, with a top
speed of 238 km/h (148mph). In the UK, its 138g/km
emissions figure sees it fall into the Band C Vehicle
Excise Duty tier while the fuel consumption figure on
the combined cycle is 5.2 litres/100 km (19.22
km/litre, 54.3 imperial mpg). It comes with Auto
Start-Stop technology, Brake Energy Regeneration,
third-generation common-rail fuel injection, a diesel
particulate filter, active aerodynamics, Electric
Power Steering and low rolling resistance tyres.
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EfficientDynamics:
performance with fuel emissions
reduction. |
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At the entry
point, the 120d offers a 1995cc four-cylinder
diesel engine with a 177hp output and a zero to 100
km/h (62mph) time of 7.6 seconds, with 4.8
litres/100 km (20.85 km/litre, 58.9 imperial mpg)
consumption (combined cycle) and emissions of 128g/km.
The same EfficientDynamics technologies used on the
123d are also adopted by the 120d.
Like every BMW
(except xDrive models), the new BMW 1 Series Coupé
has 50:50 weight distribution and a front-engine,
rear-wheel-drive configuration. It has a double-joint
spring strut front axle arrangement with a five-link
rear suspension.
Dynamic Stability
Control is standard on the 120d Coupé, with a Dynamic
Traction Control function that permits a greater
degree of wheel slip for more spirited driving.
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370-litres
boot, with standard 60:40 rear seat
split. |
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The BMW 123d and
the 135i come as standard with Dynamic Stability
Control+ with its five additional safety features of
Soft Stop, Hill start assistant, Brake Drying, Brake
pre-tensioning and Brake fade compensation. In
addition to this the 135i Coupé has a high
performance braking system featuring six-piston
callipers.
The BMW 1 Series
Coupé uses the same architecture as the three- and
five-door 1 Series models, but - like the Convertible
- with an elongated coupé body to emphasise the
sporting nature of the car. The 1 Series Coupé is
4,360mm long (133mm more than other 1 Series) and
1,934mm wide (1mm more). The slight increase in body
size means the boot space grows from 350-litres to
370-litres. A standard 60:40 rear seat split permits
greater load flexibility allowing for items to be
stored in place of one or both rear seat occupants.
In the UK market,
where on-the-road prices start from GB£21,585 for the
120d ES Coupé to £29,747 for the 135i M Sport Coupé,
the BMW 120d Coupé will be available in ES, SE and M
Sport guises, while the 123d Coupé will be offered in
SE and M Sport and the 135i Coupé just as an M Sport.
M Sport raises
the specification bar by including 17-inch light alloy
wheels on the 120d and 123d Coupé but unique 18-inch
light alloy wheels on the 135i Coupé, M Aerodynamic
package, M Sports suspension, Sports seats, High-gloss
Shadowline exterior trim, M leather steering wheel, M
designation door sills and Anthracite headlining.
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