Road Test: BMW 120d Coupé Steptronic

Facelifted versions of the BMW 1 Series Coupé and Convertible models – known internally as the E82 and E88 – were launch in South Africa recently, but what hasn’t changed, is the little Bavarian’s lovable nature.

Launched in 2004, the 1 Series has become one of BMW’s top selling models. So, as the Coupé has crept past the mid-point in its life-cycle, let’s recap what BMW have done to keep it looking fresh.

The front fascia has been restyled to include BMW’s ‘Air Curtain’ design, which directs air around the front wheels in order to reduce the car’s aerodynamic drag. The headlights have been given an ‘eyebrow’, which runs across the top of the twin units, while an L-shaped rear light cluster now features an all-red housing. Xenon headlights with integrated LED daytime running lights, and LED strips in the rear lights, create an easily identifiable BMW night-time look. In addition, a number of new wheel designs are available, with my press car featuring a set of 10-spoke, V-design, 18-inch units, with staggered tyre sizes of 215/40 in front and 245/35 at the rear. The revised front bumper and headlights give the standard 1 Coupé a more sporty and defined look when compared with the old model, which always seemed a little gormless, unless endowed with the purposeful stance afforded by the M Sport package.

Inside the 120d Coupé’s cockpit, the changes have been far more subtle, with chrome edging having been added around the light control-dial and the climate control panel, as well as a new symbol denoting the DSC button (dynamic stability control) on the dashboard. In standard trim, the 120d’s interior is very simple. It’s like a slice of white-bread in fact, lacking colour and texture, but which is why for less than 10 percent of the purchase price, you can opt for the M Sport package, which is the BMW equivalent of Nutella – ‘M’mm.

But I’m digressing, my press car was fitted with the option of leather seats, which were superbly supportive and have to rank as some of the best in the business. A common characteristic of coupés are the long doors, which means the seat-belt is located some way behind your shoulder, prompting a little in-car yoga for some, but I found the majority of the One-er’s ergonomics to be spot-on, with the exception of the centre armrest that partially obscures the only cup holder. Plastics are used extensively throughout and while they are admirably fitted, with absolutely no creaks and rattles, a pronounced seam on the door handle, together with the stitching around the steering wheel and handbrake lever, left me wanting.

The BMW 120d Coupé, tested here, constitutes the entry-level model in the 1 Series Coupé range and, oddly, BMW don’t offer the in-line four-cylinder petrol counterpart in the hard-top model. The N47 turbocharged 2.0-litre diesel engine produces 130 kW and 350 Nm of torque at 1 750 r/min and although the unit fitted to the 320d EfficientDynamics sedan, which we tested recently, benefits from 5 kW and 30 Nm more, BMW say there are no plans to update the 120d with this powerplant.

Even still, the 120d Coupé performs admirably, with peak torque motivating the car’s 1 340 kg mass with satisfying urge. The 6-speed ‘Steptronic’ transmission is a good match with the slower revving nature of the diesel and the two components work in harmony for smooth progress. The single turbocharger setup is prone to some turbo-lag when requiring brisk acceleration off the mark, but the big helping of torque makes for swift in-gear acceleration.

As a benchmark, we managed a couple of roll-on performance runs with the straight-six, petrol-powered, 125i Coupé, which saw the 120d edge ahead ever so slightly in the run up to some nefarious speeds. The peak power of the naturally aspirated petrol engine would eventually out pace the lumbering diesel, but it’s a good indication of how the entry-level 1 Coupé is not to be scoffed at.

The same goes for its handling abilities too. Infused with good feel and response, the 120d Coupé is more than happy to tackle corners with enthusiasm. The 50:50 weight distribution, with the engine position longitudinally just behind the front wheels, is a recipe for sports coupe success, echoed by the recent introduction of the 1 M Coupé.

In apparent defiance of the physics that typically see shorter wheelbase cars become squirelly over bumps, the 1 Coupé remains poised, with suspension tuning that would embarrass some larger and more expensive luxury saloons. The brakes perform well too and scrub off speed reassuringly. Together with the multitude of safety equipment on-board – including control systems for stability, traction, braking, as well as airbags, side-impact protection and ISOFIX anchor points for strapping in the little ones – the 120d Coupé is as solidly engineered as it looks.

As with the 320d sedan, the smaller 120d Coupé offers a sensible balance between performance and fuel economy. Of course, a sports coupe is a luxury purchase, so value for money is relative, but the 120d Coupe does have the added benefit of being the cheapest in the range, allowing your pennies to stretch a little further when paging through the options list.

What we like…

• Power characteristics of the engine, combined with smooth auto ‘box.
• Updated exterior styling, which improves the appeal.
• Driving dynamics, specifically the steering and suspension.

What we would like…

• Improved attention to the finish of the plastics in some areas.
• The more powerful engine found in the 320d, with its 380 Nm.

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