Sporting style with economy
10/06/08 07:55 Filed in: Road tests
It's amazing how the BMW 1 Series hatchback with its slightly gawky styling has been transformed into an attractive coupé. But it is such a logical car for BMW. It is very much in tune with the ethos of the German marque. This is, after all, a vehicle with a sporting flavour using the latest engine technology to achieve its expected performance with outstanding economy.
Under the bonnet is a two-litre, six-cylinder turbo diesel. But, the 123d has not one, but two, turbos. Each of these turbos has a job to do. The small one is designed to enhance responsiveness at low revs, while the bigger one is in charge of boosting the overall power.
That sounds complicated, but in reality it works brilliantly. The result is a winning combination of performance, refinement and economy.
Acceleration 0-62 is seven seconds, which puts this diesel coupé quite firmly into hot hatch territory. More importantly in the overtaking range, the 123d will pick up speed, pass and get back to its own side of the road in double quick time.
What makes the car even more in tune with today's motoring environment is its economy. The official combined mpg figure is 54.2 mpg. We all know how unattainable such figures can prove. Impressive, therefore, that on my first country drive, the trip computer showed an average of 48 mpg.
OK, I did go on to spoil this when I launched into a week of commuting. But the overall average at the end was just a shade over 40 mpg, which I would rate as outstanding considering the performance that I put to good use during that time. Putting out just 138g/km of CO2 you can also hold your head reasonably high in these environmentally-aware times.
The BMW 123d Coupé utilises BMW's Efficient Dynamics technology to help produce these figures. The engine shuts itself down when you stop in traffic and restarts instantly when you press the clutch. Initially this is disconcerting, but as this is now the third car with this system that I have driven (the most recent being the Mini Clubman Cooper D), I am becoming quite used to it.
So it is responsive, quick and economical, but does it lack the refinement of a petrol unit? If you listen carefully with the window down you can just make out the very muffled characteristic sound of a diesel, but on the open road you would not know. You are not often aware of the inevitable low-revving nature of diesel engines, thanks to a careful choice of gears.
The driving position is good. If I was being carping, I would like the seat to go slightly lower in the sports genre. But, despite that, the driving seat of the 123d is a very comfortable place to be. One driver did comment on the thick-rimmed, chunky steering wheel rim, but it suited me fine.
The individual rear seats require some nimbleness to access and space, including headroom, is a little limited. But that is what you must expect from a coupé.
I reckon the combination of comfort, performance and economy is a winning formula. Recognising that a BMW is going to cost a premium price, I also reckon the price of £24,955 is quite keen.
Under the bonnet is a two-litre, six-cylinder turbo diesel. But, the 123d has not one, but two, turbos. Each of these turbos has a job to do. The small one is designed to enhance responsiveness at low revs, while the bigger one is in charge of boosting the overall power.
That sounds complicated, but in reality it works brilliantly. The result is a winning combination of performance, refinement and economy.
Acceleration 0-62 is seven seconds, which puts this diesel coupé quite firmly into hot hatch territory. More importantly in the overtaking range, the 123d will pick up speed, pass and get back to its own side of the road in double quick time.
What makes the car even more in tune with today's motoring environment is its economy. The official combined mpg figure is 54.2 mpg. We all know how unattainable such figures can prove. Impressive, therefore, that on my first country drive, the trip computer showed an average of 48 mpg.
OK, I did go on to spoil this when I launched into a week of commuting. But the overall average at the end was just a shade over 40 mpg, which I would rate as outstanding considering the performance that I put to good use during that time. Putting out just 138g/km of CO2 you can also hold your head reasonably high in these environmentally-aware times.
The BMW 123d Coupé utilises BMW's Efficient Dynamics technology to help produce these figures. The engine shuts itself down when you stop in traffic and restarts instantly when you press the clutch. Initially this is disconcerting, but as this is now the third car with this system that I have driven (the most recent being the Mini Clubman Cooper D), I am becoming quite used to it.
So it is responsive, quick and economical, but does it lack the refinement of a petrol unit? If you listen carefully with the window down you can just make out the very muffled characteristic sound of a diesel, but on the open road you would not know. You are not often aware of the inevitable low-revving nature of diesel engines, thanks to a careful choice of gears.
The driving position is good. If I was being carping, I would like the seat to go slightly lower in the sports genre. But, despite that, the driving seat of the 123d is a very comfortable place to be. One driver did comment on the thick-rimmed, chunky steering wheel rim, but it suited me fine.
The individual rear seats require some nimbleness to access and space, including headroom, is a little limited. But that is what you must expect from a coupé.
I reckon the combination of comfort, performance and economy is a winning formula. Recognising that a BMW is going to cost a premium price, I also reckon the price of £24,955 is quite keen.
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