First look: BMW's compact coupe is the One

BMW has fulfilled the promise of its 2002 Geneva motor show concept, the CS1, by unveiling of its E82 1 Series Coupe.

One of the worst kept secrets in recent automotive history, the three-box version of the BMW’s rear-wheel drive compact will be spearheaded by the high-performance 135i model.

It will arrive on our shores in the first quarter of 2008, in time for a Melbourne International Motor Show debut in March.

Expect prices to hover in the $85,000 to $90,000 mark.

With styling reminiscent of the CS1 Concept, the E89 1 Series Convertible – complete with two doors, 2+2 seating and an electrically folding fabric roof – is also slated for a release sometime next year.

European punters will get a chance to see the 1 Series Coupe in the metal come September’s Frankfurt motor show.

Using the E87 1 Series hatchback platform as a base, the Coupe benefits from 50:50 front-to-rear weight distribution, is 133mm longer at 4360mm and just 1mm wider at 1934mm. Powered by the same 2979cc 3.0-litre twin turbo-charged direct-injection in-line six-cylinder engine found in the E90/2/3 335i range, the 135i Coupe delivers 225kW of power at 5800rpm and 400Nm of torque between 1300 and 5000rpm.

BMW says it sprints to 100km/h from standstill in 5.3 seconds, pollutes the atmosphere at a rate of 220g/km of carbon-dioxide emissions, and can deliver 9.2L/100km.

Six-speed gearboxes in ZF automatic and regular manual modes will probably serve most of the 1 Series Coupe range, although a seven-speed dual-clutch DSG-style transmission is also believed to be very close to completion, for use on higher-end cars such as the 135i. The Coupe is also expected to receive at least some of the E87 hatchback models’ more powerful petrol-powered engines in the next year or so.



This means that we can expect 1 Series Coupe variants in 115kW/200Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder 120i and 195kW/315Nm 3.0-litre in-line six-cylinder 130i guises, while a 140kW/230Nm 123i and 160kW/250Nm 125i Coupe – both using a 2.5-litre in-line six – may also be in the pipeline.

However, Australians will miss out on the 2.0-litre turbo-diesel pair of 1 Series Coupes that have already been announced for Europe. The series’ entry level 120d Coupe produces 15kW/340Nm, hits the standing 100km/h time in 7.6 seconds, emits 128g/km of CO2 waste and returns around 4.8L/100km. Meanwhile, the 152kW/400Nm version of the same engine, bolstered by twin turbo-chargers, is a production-vehicle first. It takes just 7.0 seconds to reach 100km/h, spews out 138g/km of CO2 and has achieved 5.2L/100km, according to BMW’s figures. Both employ BMW’s ‘EfficientDynamics’ technology that includes Auto Start-Stop, Brake Energy Regeneration, third-generation common-rail fuel injection, a diesel particulate filter, active aerodynamics, electric power steering and low rolling resistance tyres.

Do not expect to see the diesel duo here any time soon either.

"We don’t believe (the market) is ready for a diesel coupe," says BMW spokesman Toni Andreevski.

The E87 120d hatchback and E90 320d four-door sedan fulfils the diesel role in the compact sedan class for BMW Australia for now.

However, the 123d engine may find its way into sportier versions of the 1 Series hatchback and 3 Series sedan models.

Underpinning the Coupe is an aluminium double-joint tie-bar front axle and a five-arm rear axle made from lightweight steel, while driver aids run to stability and traction controls, and the availability in some markets of BMW’s controversial Active Steering system.

Wearing an M bodykit, the 135i Coupe appears more aggressive in stance than the regular 1 Series Coupe. Among the add-on is a larger front air-intake and large alloy wheels.

Visually, the BMW-trademark long-bonnet/short overhang/cab-backward school of design are present, as is the kink in the C-pillar window line.

Frameless doors, an integrated rear spoiler sitting between L-shaped tail-lights and a pronounced ribbed shoulder line are among the Coupe’s signature stylistic flourishes.

The nose is very similar to the hatchback’s, which recently underwent a Series II facelift incorporating a larger grille, new headlights and restyled bumpers, while the dashboard appears to be a straight hatch carryover.

Some observers are referring to this car as the spiritual replacement for the BMW 2002 range sold in Australia from 1968 to early 1976.

But that vehicle was a full five-seater European family car (albeit with just two doors), while the 1 Series Coupe is a 2+2 seater, meaning that the twin rear seats are moulded as kids-only or very limited adult use.

A split/fold rear squab will enhance the amount of space that the 370-litre boot compartment offers – which is 20 litres up on the hatch.

Reflecting its flagship status (until the rumoured M version – M1? – is announced), the 135i Coupe will include M-spec sports suspension, a high-performance braking package, as well as six airbags, the aforementioned array of driver aids, and the option of bi-Xenon headlights with integrated turning lights.

So why does the 1 Series Coupe exist? It is primarily aimed – along with the E88 Convertible – at the US market, where the more traditionally styled coupes and sedans fly high and premium hatchbacks flounder.

In fact, for the moment at least, BMW USA does not even offer the E87 1 Series hatch.