Zero to 62mph in 5.3 seconds and combined fuel consumption of 30.7mpg? This outstanding blend of performance and frugality is the result of the new BMW 1 Series 135i Coupé’s twin-turbo technology. The 3.0-litre straight-six petrol engine develops 302bhp and 400Nm of torque from just 1300rpm through to 5000rpm, the twin turbos yielding minimum lag and giving smooth, rapid progress from rest right up to an electronically-limited 155mph.

While the 135i will be the flagship of the new 1 Series Coupé range, BMW has added another two diesel engines to the line-up. The 175bhp 120d offers an excellent 58.9mpg combined, while the launch of the 201bhp 123d heralds the introduction of the world’s most powerful production four-cylinder diesel engine. This 1995cc powerplant is the world’s first all-aluminium diesel to have an output per litre figure in excess of 100bhp – something usually only seen in BMW’s M cars. The 123d Coupé is also the first four-cylinder production diesel to come with twin-turbo technology.

In keeping with BMW tradition, the new 1 Series Coupé has 50:50 weight distribution and a front-engined, rear-wheel-drive configuration. The BMW 123d and 135i both come with Dynamic Stability Control+ as standard, including Dynamic Traction Control that allows a greater degree of wheelslip for more spirited driving. In addition, there are another five safety features: ‘Soft Stop’, hill start assistant, brake drying, brake pre-tensioning and brake fade compensation. The 135i Coupé also has a high-performance braking system with six-piston calipers.

The new Coupé uses the same architecture as the existing three- and five-door 1 Series models, but wears a longer (by 133mm) and marginally wider (by 1mm) coupé body to give a more sporting look, which also increases bootspace from 350 to 370 litres.

The 1 Series Coupé will join the existing three- and five-door variants in the UK in November. Prices will be announced closer to the on-sale date.

Text: Charis Whitcombe
Photos: BMW