BMW releases the first photos and the first information of a new subtopper for its 1-series. The 1-series comes on the market as 128ti, a variant that is positioned a step below the M135i xDrive.
Except for the 1M Coupé, there has never been a full M version of the BMW’s 1-series, although that was of course the 1-series Coupé and not the normal five-door hatchback. BMW has another M Performance version on the menu of the current third generation 1-series: the M135i xDrive. The 306 hp four-wheel drive will get the brand new 128ti from November this year.
BMW shows a couple of photos of a very minimal stickered test specimen of the 128ti, which were shot on and in the immediate vicinity of the Nürburgring-Nordschleife. The 128ti has to do without xDrive addition behind its name, which of course indicates that the sub-topper is just front-wheel drive. The 128ti has a 265 horsepower machine under the hood, a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that may be a derivative of the M135i xDrive’s 306 horsepower 2-liter. That power is just a little easier to control for the front wheels than the over 300 horses of the top version. With 265 hp, the 128ti sprints to 100 km / h in 6.1 seconds. Shifting is done with the well-known eight-speed Steptronic transmission, which distributes the forces via a Tosen differential lock between the front wheels.
The 128ti is not just a 1-series with a horny four-cylinder. For example, BMW promises that the chassis and steering are specifically tailored to the sportier character of the 128ti. With its M Sport chassis, the car is one centimeter closer to the asphalt. Special M Sport brakes should be able to calm him down properly. A direct opponent from his own country does not have the 128ti. The A-class from Mercedes-Benz has a step below the 306 hp A35 AMG the A250 with 224 hp, which cannot compete with the 128ti. Audi also has no alternative in the A3 range. However, you could consider the Ford Focus ST (280 hp) as a competitor of the 128ti.
TI
With the arrival of the 128ti, BMW is breathing new life into the Ti badge. This addition is known from the 1600 ti and 1800 ti, but mainly from the illustrious 2002 ti (and tii!). More recently, the ti designation was applied to the 318ti and 323ti of the first generation 3 Series Compact. All versions of its successor, the Compact based on the E46, were called ti. The most powerful version was the 325ti, with a 190 hp 2.5 straight-six power plant.