Go on, be a sport

The BMW 1 Series coupé, launched in Malta by agents Muscats Motors last Thursday, concentrates on one feature in particular: pure driving pleasure.

This compact two-door with its muscular design enhances and expands the very successful BMW 1 Series to an even higher level.

Conceived as a four-seater with its luggage compartment separated from the passenger compartment and with the rear-seat backrest offering a 60:40 split as standard, the BMW 1 Series coupé also ensures a high level of all-round function and practical value right from the start.

Apart from the six-cylinder petrol engine featured in the BMW 135i coupé, there are two four-cylinder turbo diesels of the latest generation in the BMW 123d coupé and the BMW 120d coupé.

A feature typical of a BMW coupé is the dark, glazed B-pillar creating the impression of one consistent window area extending from front to rear. Yet another feature characteristic of the new coupé is the typical roof line extending down to the deliberately short and compact rear end in a striking, dynamic angle. The wide, frameless door, as well as the B-pillar raked to a steep angle, shift the visual centre of gravity of the car's silhouette further to the rear.

The new BMW 1 Series coupé boasts a powerful and dynamic rear end, including a fully integrated third brake light. As a particularly sporting feature, the luggage compartment lid comes with a spoiler literally chiselled into the rear end of the car, accentuating the short rear section and building up extra downforce on the rear axle at high speeds.

The interior of the BMW 1 Series offers clear and solid, sophisticated flair. Dynamic, horizontal elements create a formal connection between the front and rear, with the cockpit characterised by taut but widely stretching lines and surfaces.

The control console for entertainment and air conditioning is integrated smoothly and harmoniously into the dashboard through its soft radii and flowing surfaces.

The BMW 1 Series coupé comes as standard with two individual seats at the rear offering the car's occupants a high level of driving comfort. The armrests and the cloth or leatherette inserts integrated in the side panels take up the design of the door linings.

The trim bars are available with a choice of no fewer than six versions, including aluminium in fine polished look, particularly sophisticated, grained poplar, high-tech titanium, and high-gloss Diamond Black and Cashmere Silver.

To give the car a truly unique look, the BMW 135i coupé as the top version in the new model range comes as standard with an optimised M aerodynamics package modified versus the M Sports Package.

This outstanding model is powered by a 3.0-litre straight-six featuring Twin Turbo technology and second-generation direct gasoline injection (High Precision Injection). Maximum output of 225 kW/306 hp and peak torque of 400 Nm offer all the power and performance required to set a new standard in terms of driving dynamics.

Standing up even against competitors from higher segments of the market through its supreme performance, the two-door BMW 135i coupé accelerates to 100 km/h in just 5.3 seconds, with top speed limited to 250 km/h (155 mph). Average fuel consumption according to the EU standard, in turn, is just 9.2 litres/100 kilometres, equal to 30.7 mpg imp.

Prices start from €46,000 (Lm19,850).