BMW launched the new 1-Series to quickly capture the market that it is losing out. As of this is written, only the 125i is available for viewing...not in the showroom, but in dealer back-end parking lot as it is still not official yet though news stated it has been launched. NO. It is NOT available till earliest October, not even any official price list of catalog. Damn, if you are not ready, stop exciting us!
Let's compare what is available now on the hot hatch market with 1.6-litre engine, looks like the basic BMW 116 is running out of breathe, though at RM170k, it might be cheaper than the Merc, Volvo and MINI, but things are pretty basic in the car then. The 118 might become the best selling unit of the 1 as it is then comparable to the rest.
| Merc A-200 | BMW 116 | Volvo V40 T4 | BMW 118 | Citroen DS4 | MINI Copper |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 156hp/250Nm | 136hp/220Nm | 180hp/240Nm | 170hp/250Nm | 160hp/240Nm | 120hp/160Nm |
The rear looks like a twin of the A-Class, but I think the A looks so much better and sportier not just at the rear, but also the front!
Again, the meter cluster is the common bimmer look. Looks dull and boring for a hot hatch.
The center console looks functional and simple, as always with any BMW as well. I have always like the gear shift selector, which look futuristic and of all the hot hatch, it is the only one offered with a 8-speeder. Never driven anything more than 7, wonder how it will feel in city traffic.
Overall, the size of the car is smaller than the Merc A-Class, and the feel of the quality is not as good as the Volvo. But BMW knows very well all the rich will still buy it, because it is still offering the worst 2-year-only warranty where most in the market now offer 3-year or more.
Since no real car is available for a test drive, I am not going to write anything more on what I can see and feel for now. The sales also did not spend time introducing any features of the car, wonder why? Maybe most BMW owners are uncle and auntie and do not care about what technological advanced safety the car can offer? To me, safety is the 1st priority! If it can't offer anything like the A-Class or Volvo, it does not deserve my attention then!
