BMW 120d Coupé aut., test drive (part I)

We move from testing two MPVs to a full-blown coupé, because at Highmotor we got behind the wheel of the BMW Series 1 Coupé with the 177 CV diesel engine and automatic gearbox. This rear-wheel-drive version (like the rest of the BMW range) has four seats in a 2+2 layout and is an alternative to more expensive coupés if our budget is smaller or if we want a more compact car, without giving up the sporty character typical of a BMW.

The BMW Series 1 is the entry point to the German manufacturer’s range and has been well received on the market, but without a doubt the model that dominates sales is the five-door variant. The Series 1 comes in four versions: the five-door and three-door hatchbacks, the Coupé and the Cabrio (which is based on the Coupé).

As for the engine, we tested the well-known two-litre diesel with 177 CV. We had other options, such as the powerful 123d, but for performance and economy the 120d is by far the most balanced choice, an engine with which you can get the most out of our Series 1 Coupé while keeping consumption in check, combined with the six-speed automatic gearbox that adds comfort.

Engine and performance

With this two-litre engine with 177 CV we can move the Series 1 Coupé with complete ease. Above 1,500 rpm the engine comes alive, and as we press the accelerator the car responds decisively, helped in part by a variable-geometry turbo that keeps the engine available at almost any speed.

As a showcase of this powertrain’s potential, it delivers 350 Nm of torque and takes 7.6 seconds to go from 0 to 100 km/h, a figure that is not bad at all. It also has a top speed of 226 km/h. Emissions and consumption are something every manufacturer is actively working on, and this model is no exception, since the 177 CV diesel engine has undergone some changes compared with the previous generation.

The package now includes Efficient Dynamics: regenerative braking, a gear-shift indicator and Stop&Start on manual models. Thanks to this, the manual version has an homologated average consumption of 4.7 litres per 100 km, a figure that is not bad at all and puts it in line with the most fuel-efficient compacts on the market.

As I mentioned at the beginning, our 120d Coupé came paired with a six-speed automatic gearbox, an extra that makes city driving much more comfortable, and on the open road you forget about the gearbox entirely. It has six ratios and can be operated in sequential, sport or automatic mode. It is quick and works well. In sport mode it also lowers the rear suspension for better behaviour in corners.

Handling

If you want an agile car, the 120d Coupé meets our expectations without problems. It has the typical BMW steering, which feels rather firm but is precise and keeps the Series 1 under control at all times. The engine moves it with agility, and on winding roads it has a very neutral character, guiding each bend and change of direction with composure.

When you first get in, the car seems a little lazy, but this is only an impression, since as soon as you press the accelerator and demand more power, the engine responds decisively, sending all its force to the rear axle. Complementing the stability and agility of the Series 1 Coupé is a 50:50 weight distribution, as well as an aluminium front axle that helps reduce weight.

In short, getting behind the wheel of this car means enjoying driving, and it always responds with fairly simple handling, in which it is hard to knock it off its line. Finally, the braking system is up to the standard of the engine and performance of the Series 1 Coupé, and it stops our coupé without trouble.

Consumption

But without doubt the area where this model impressed us most was consumption, because you can enjoy the drive and at the same time have a car that responds with a moderate consumption when you drive calmly. To give you an example, during our test on twisty roads, on our usual test route and really pushing the car, we achieved an average consumption of 8.1 litres with the gearbox in sport mode and the engine revving high throughout the route.

On the test as a whole we achieved an average consumption of 6.6 l/100 km combining city and open-road driving, while on our usual motorway route the consumption was 5.3 litres per 100 km.

Don’t miss the second part to see everything about the exterior and interior design of the BMW 120d Coupé, as well as its finish, boot and more.

Photos | David Taboada