BMW is putting the final touches on the
upcoming 128ti, the upcoming hot hatch version of the 1-Series hatchback which
is set to slot underneath the range-topping M135i xDrive. The new BMW 128ti
will be powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo engine with 261 HP,
driving the front wheels via a Torsen limited-slip differential and an
eight-speed automatic transmission, which will be the only option. BMW claims a
0-100 km/h in 6.1 seconds.
What’s important here is that the upcoming
128ti will not be just another fast variant in the model’s range, as BMW has
put much thought and care to tune the suspension and steering specifically to
this model in order to offer “extremely sporty and driver-oriented driving
dynamics”.
The new BMW 128ti is basically the first
BMW hot hatch with front-wheel-drive and only the third model in the brand’s
history to feature the ‘Turismo Internazionale’ suffix. The production version
will get a specifically tuned passive M Sport suspension that’s lower by 10mm
and comes with stiffer settings than the M135i, from which it shares the same
stabilizers and the M Sport brakes. In addition, the new BMW 128ti will be
around 80 kg lighter than the M135i xDrive, mostly due to the lack of
all-wheel-drive. BMW promises that the new hot version of the 1-Series will
also feature “many differentiating exterior and interior features”, in order to
stand out from its lesser siblings.
BMW is going to launch the new 128ti in
November across Europe, going against traditional hot hatches like the VW Golf
GTI, the Ford Focus ST and will even try to pick a fight with the more hardcore
FWD performance models in the segment, including the Honda Civic Type R and the
Renault Megane RS.
