29 Jul 04
When BMW launched the 1-Series, it immediately established itself as the best handling car in the Golf class. With rear-wheel drive and a superbly balanced chassis, the only thing we reckoned the baby BMW needed was a more powerful variant, as the most potent petrol model is the 150bhp 120i. And significantly, the only model not available to drive on the original launch was the entry-level 115bhp, 1.6-litre 116i, which 4Car has now driven. So, does the least powerful One let the side down?
BMW's own figures put the 116i more than two seconds behind its 2.0-litre petrol sibling from 0 to 62mph. And the 120i itself is one second slower than the 2.0-litre diesel-powered 1-Series. The 116i will reach 62mph in 10.8sec and a top speed of 125mph. That's not a disaster, but nor is it entirely in keeping with the small BMW's claim to be the enthusiast's choice in the segment. Torque is an issue here, too, as a good amount of it at low revs provides lusty throttle response and flexible in-gear performance. The 116i develops 111lb ft at 4300rpm and to put that in perspective, the 118d develops nearly twice that torque at half the revs.
The statistics don't look promising, but as always, you can't really judge a car without getting behind the wheel. I love the One's driving position, as you sit way down low in the car with a high beltline and enveloping dash. Slot the electronic key in and punch the separate starter button, which has been lifted directly out of the BMW Z8 convertible hot rod. The jury is still out on the starter button, which is novel to begin with, but when that wears off you're still stuck with a two-task start-up procedure compared with the usual one.
Unlike its siblings, which use a six-speed gearbox, the 116i makes do with a five-speed manual. That's no real hardship, though, as it is a mechanically precise, slick-shifting unit.
