BMW 1 Series - New Top-Of-The-Range 130i And Attractive Options

• The BMW 1 Series is entering the 2006 model year with the new top-of-the-range 130i, new special equipment, and the new M Sports Package.

BMW 130i: Sporting performance in an athlete’s body

Driving pleasure far beyond conventional standards - precisely that is what the new top-of-the-range model in the BMW 1 Series, the BMW 130i, has to offer in the compact range as of autumn 2005. Indeed, the combination of the car’s well-known agile suspension and the new 3.0-litre six-cylinder power unit (195 kW/258 hp, 315 Nm/232 lb-ft) complete with its magnesium housing and VALVETRONIC creates a power machine quite unparallel in the world of motoring.

The BMW 130i is for the most discerning and ambitious customer, the individualist seeking top performance in the lower midrange class. This is the car for the genuine enthusiast who wishes to combine unpretentious superiority with genuine style. The 17-inch rims in V-spoke design developed especially for the 130i, chrome-plated rods in the BMW kidney grille, and the dual tailpipes with their chrome-plated rear ends show the connoisseur that this is indeed a particularly powerful BMW 1 Series.

The BMW 130i accelerates to 62 mph in just 6.2 seconds. Top speed is limited electronically to 155 mph, and fuel consumption is a moderate 31.4 mpg in the EU test cycle.

New options for extra comfort and safety on the road

Over and above the new top model, BMW also offers a whole range of new features as of autumn 2005, making the 1 Series truly unique in every respect: Examples are the attractive M Sports Package, BMW Adaptive Headlights, and - starting now - the diesel particle filter.

The BMW 1 Series is now also available with the BMW Assist telematics service as well as the BMW Online mobile internet portal as new options in the list.

BMW’s innovative Connected Service system is likewise now becoming available, enabling the BMW 1 Series to register independently by short messaging for routine service operations at the workshop. Bluetooth technology in the 1 Series, in turn, allows simple and convenient use of various mobile telephones.

As a result, the BMW 1 Series offers not only a unique driving experience in the compact class, but also, through its driver assistance systems, ranks truly unique versus the competition.

Dynamic, sophisticated, exciting: the M Sports Package

Starting in September 2005, BMW is offering the M Sports Package in all 1 Series. Developed by BMW M, BMW’s Subsidiary for Specialist Cars, the M Sports Package appeals to the very special customer who wishes to further refine the sporting and agile qualities of his - or her - BMW 1 Series, highlighting the car by way of particular visual features.

In conjunction with M double-spoke light-alloy wheels measuring 17 or 18 inches and running on different-sized tyres front and rear for optimum grip on the road, the specially tuned M sports suspension offers dynamic performance of the highest calibre.

The BMW Aerodynamics Package featuring front and rear air dams as well as side-sills finished in body colour supplements and highlights the particular qualities of the M Sports Package.

Inside the car, sports seats, BMW Individual roof lining in Anthracite, the leather steering wheel, a driver footrest as well as entry trim strips in BMW M Design and special aluminium trim strips ensure an exquisite touch of sportiness and visual performance. High-quality soft nappa leather on the handbrake lever and the extra-short and dynamic shift lever for an even faster and more precise gearshift confirm the supreme standard of the car through the visible and tangible quality of the material.

To read our in depth road test of the BMW 1 Series [ click here ]