Does the BMW 1 Series three-door sport hatch offer both performance and fuel economy?

The popular BMW 1 Series has recently been added to by the German carmaker, in the form of the brand new three-door hatch model. The new addition to the range has been designed to offer even more space and better efficiency, but from a performance point of view, is also a very sporty vehicle indeed. The new model will be available to UK buyers from September of this year and will debut alongside two brand new engines sizes. These are the 144i and the much talked-about M135i.

The driver, the front seat passenger and the rear passengers will all find that the new 3 Door Hatch offers a great deal of legroom and the cabin offers plenty of space. In terms of the details, BMW has lived up to its reputation by ensuring that every aspect of this new car has been made to the highest specifications.

For those who want to add a touch of their own personality to their new hatchback, the Urban and Sport models offer unique trims. With all this performance and choice, many would-be BMW buyers may of the impression that the new BMW 1 Series 3 Door Hatch is out-with the range of their pockets, but at only £17,300 (on the road) for the new 114i model, such sentiments are likely to be short lived.

In terms of technical specifications, the new 114i actually offers the same level of power as the previous 116i. But where it really differs from the outgoing model is in its fuel efficiency and environmental credentials; it is able to achieve 49.6 miles to the gallon combined, and with 132g per kilometre of CO2, it is good for both motorists’ pocket and the environment.

M135i

As befits its position as the car at the top of the range, M135i model delivers outstanding performance. It is the very first engine variant of the BMW M Performance range, and has been created with the expertise the Performance division at BMW M GmbH. In just 5.1 seconds this model can go from 0-62 mph, and if the optional 8-speed automatic transmission is selected, this goes down to an even more impressive 4.9 seconds. Many motorists would be forgiven for thinking that such performance would make the car a bad choice as far as fuel consumption and the environment go, but with EfficientDynamics technologies that include Auto Start and ECO PRO, buyers of this model are looking at 35.3 miles to the gallon and only 188 grams per kilometre of CO2.

Central to all this performance is the engine – the straight six-cylinder N55 3.0 litre. It delivers a peak torque of 450 Nm (332 lb-ft), available between 1,300rpm and 4,500rpm, and a total 320 horsepower. For those who decide to by this car, it arguably combines performance, fuel economy and environmental friendliness in a manner that few of its rivals have yet achieved. It will also address the part of the car market inhabited by people who want both sportiness and a degree of practicality.