Re: Good things come small
http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/sub/...78664,00.html?
Published May 10, 2008
BMW 1 Series: Spoilt for choice
By SAMUEL EE
THE arrival of the BMW 1 Series in Singapore brings with it four variants and some rather confusing numbers. The entry-level version is a five-door hatchback called the 118i at $116,800, followed by a three-door hatch - the 130i at $149,800. Then there are the 125i Coupe ($151,800) and the 120i Cabriolet ($158,800).
http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/mnt/...EBMW10-LOR.jpg
Robust: The 130i has an engine size that is accurately reflected in its model designation. It shares the same power plant found in models such as the 530i and X5 3.0
But despite four distinct sets of numbers, there are only two basic engines - a 2.0 and a 3.0. The 118i has a two-litre, four-cylinder engine with 136 hp. This is a detuned version of the 2.0 engine found in the 320i, which has 156 hp and which also happens to be the same unit found in the 120i Cabriolet.
The 130i three-door hatch has an engine size that is accurately reflected in its model designation. Its three-litre inline six-cylinder unit is the same superb magnesium/aluminium power plant found in models such as the 530i and X5 3.0. Its output is 265 hp with 315 Newton-metres of torque, thanks to Valvetronic, which varies valve timing, and double-Vanos, or double variable camshaft control of valve lift.
The 125i Coupe also has a 3.0 straight-six but this has been detuned to just 218 hp and 270 Nm.
You could say it's just a numbers game.
Re: Good things come small
http://www.straitstimes.com/Life%252...ry_235694.html
May 10, 2008
Go, baby, go
The BMW 125i Coupe is cute to look at and a sheer pleasure to drive
By Pradeep Paul
IT TOOK till the third traffic light for the penny to drop.
Those pretty young things in the cars alongside were not looking at me. They were checking out the BMW 125i Coupe.
And why not? The latest baby Beemer to hit Singapore roads is 'cute' - verdict of a cute 15-year-old - and drives like a, well, BMW.
That means it enjoys the perfect 50:50 weight distribution the German brand is known for, and comes loaded with all the electronic aids such as Dynamic Stability Control, Cornering Brake Control and Dynamic Traction Control.
While the M Aerodynamics Kit-enhanced looks have evoked mixed reactions - some like the coupe's profile while others swear the hatchback version looks better - the interior is impeccable.
The plastics ace the knuckle-rap test, the doors shut with a reassuring thunk and the steering wheel has a nice chunky feel.
If you have had enough of the chatter on radio and think CDs are a thing of the past, the car also offers a USB iPod interface.
This shows that BMW, which offers this feature only on its 1-series range, has anticipated the tastes and habits of its target audience.
BMW has also been honest about the rear accommodation. There is space for just two adults, as signalled by the number of head supports in the back and the plastic tray separating the seats.
However, those two adults will sit in comfort with sufficient leg room provided by the scalloped backs of the front seats. Head room is ample too, unless you play in the NBA.
The boot is a little smaller than that of a 3-series, but good enough to keep golfers and grocery shoppers happy.
The true magic of this car shines through once you slot in the key - no metal protrusion, just a plastic fob you slot into the dash - and jab the Start/Stop button.
The burble that emanates from the twin pipes is enough to put a smile on any petrolhead's face.
Slot the gear lever into D and the burble changes into a guttural growl as the car responds with alacrity to any challenge.
Feeling like a lazy Sunday cruise? No problem. The 125i will putter along complacently. But the moment you decide to up the ante, it rolls up its elegant sleeves and works up a sweat.
A few taps of either thumb on the steering-mounted paddles and the six-speed Steptronic transmission kicks down a few notches, the revs climb accordingly and traffic falls behind magically.
The runflat tyres on 17-inch rims, long associated with a stiffer ride, don't rob the car of its composure much.
Chuck it into a fast corner, and the 125i hugs the line with unerring accuracy, refusing to be unsettled by any tarmac imperfections.
What is a nice touch is the Tyre Defect Indicator, which monitors the air pressure in all wheels and warns the driver if the pressure drops by more than 30 per cent.
There is one little problem though. The 125i is loaded with the same 3-litre engine - well, 2,996cc to be precise - that sits in the rangetopping 130i three-door hatch.
It has been de-tuned to produce less power (218bhp to the 130's 265bhp) and less torque (270Nm to 315Nm).
BMW says this is not new, pointing to the 5-series range where the 523 uses a de-tuned version of the 525's engine.
It justifies this decision by quoting product differentiation and even points to the better fuel consumption figures - the 125i uses 12.5 litres per 100km in city driving while the 130i burns 13.6 - but that is not going to sway Singapore's taxman.
If that doesn't bother you, head on down to the Reflections at Keppel Bay for a test-drive today and tomorrow, from 1pm onwards.
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Re: Good things come small
Crazy!
Why sell a subcompact car here with only the bigger engine models?
125i, 130i and 135i are fine.
But where are the 116i, 118i and 120i?
Luckily, these are available from the parallel importers.
Now that they are selling the 520i.
Will they also sell the 318i?
In fact, their entry models should be:
116i, 118i, 520i and 730i.