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BMW 120d Urban

We try the new BMW 1 Series range’s most potent diesel in trendy new spec

BMW 120d Urban

By Sam Hardy

July 2011

Is this BMW the 1 for you? Last week, we drove the German company’s new 1 Series compact hatchback in petrol-engined 118i guise. Now, it’s the turn of the flagship 120d diesel.

Unlike the petrol line-up, the oil-burning range doesn’t come with completely new engines; the 2.0-litre is merely heavily revised. It gets a variable geometry turbo and new fuel injectors designed to improve response and efficiency.

Video: watch CarBuyer's video review of the BMW 1 Series

 

The unit is 4bhp more powerful than before and has 30Nm more torque, with 181bhp and 380Nm respectively. It takes the 120d from 0-62mph in 7.2 seconds and on to a 142mph top speed – about as fast as a VW Golf GTI.

A GTI can’t return well over 60mpg, though, and nor does it emit 119g/km of CO2. Factor in a smooth sound, lots of mid-range punch and relaxed motorway manners, and buyers wanting a discreet alternative to a traditional hot hatch that won’t be too costly to run should look no further.

If you prefer not to stand out from the crowd, don’t order your 1 Series in Urban trim. It comes with bright white 17-inch alloy wheels, plus a white grille, wing mirrors and interior detailing, and is definitely a love it or hate it look. Better to go for the more subtle Sport specification, which offers dark accents and metallic grey wheels.

Our car had BMW’s new eight-speed automatic gearbox, which features steering wheel-mounted paddleshifters. It’s certainly slick and responsive, but at £1,600 it’s an option you would add only if you simply must have an auto. As for the rest of the 1 Series, there’s a lot to like. The new look is softer than before, while the cabin is a leap forward in quality, with lots of ‘big car’ options such as lane departure warning and road sign recognition.

One of the best features comes as standard. The ECO PRO driving mode reduces throttle response and limits the load put on the air-con for more efficiency. It works without you noticing, and the gains in range are displayed on the dash. It’s a pity the car doesn’t offer much more room in the back than before, despite being longer and wider. Still, the boot is bigger, so the BMW is a little more practical.

Plus, it’s even better to drive. With wider front and rear tracks, plus new front damper mountings, the 1 Series is stable yet has a much more comfortable ride.

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2 Comments

one thing i have to give to the Germans is their ability to fund R&D into efficient, yet poweful engines, those brute V8's and they are leading the game but they really need to look at their exterior car design, its just rubbish. this 1 series is just horrible to look at than the previous 1. the Germans have so far flooded the market with numerous new marks of golfs and passats, ugly BMW's, dull thoughtless Audi's, korean looking inspired merc's that look like effergies of hate that want to be burnt. I really want to say this Merc is elegant and beautiful to look at but its just not good enough. This gives Jag a chance to show them how's it done. they may not have the capable engines but they will show them how cars should really look.

By corsamani on 28 July, 2011, 7:22am

"lots of ‘big car’ options"

At lots of big-car prices, in the usual BMW fashion. With a base price over £23k for a hatchback that's smaller than either the Golf or Focus, I'd want to see a healthy standard equipment list to justify the premium price.

By snappyuk on 28 July, 2011, 10:13am

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Pictures

BMW 120d Urban
BMW 120d Urban
BMW 120d Urban
BMW 120d Urban
BMW 120d Urban

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FIRST OPINION

    With a starting price of nearly £23,500, the 120d isn’t likely to be the best-selling 1 Series. Add the eight-speed auto, and the price moves further into 3 Series territory. However, it offers rapid acceleration and excellent economy, while the rest of the package has really moved on. We’d save £1,500 and go for the 118d, though.

 

AT A GLANCE

    Price: £24,720
    Engine: 2.0-litre diesel, 181bhp 
    Transmission: Eight-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive 
    0-62mph: 7.2 seconds 
    Top speed: 142mph 
    Economy: 62.8mpg 
    CO2: 119g/km 
    Equipment: Climate control, stop-start, white 17-inch alloys, chrome grille with white slats, leather steering wheel 
    On sale: September
     
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