Baby beemer coupes hit

Two six-cylinder models will spearhead the BMW 1 Series Coupe's entry into the Australian market.

The 135i Sport heads the range, its twin-turbo 3.0-litre inline six pumping out 225kW and 400Nm -- the latter from just 1300rpm. It's priced from $71,400 for the six-speed manual, with a six-speed auto also offered from $74,200.

Inline with BMW's almost total disregard for its long-established naming conventions, the entry-level 125i coupe is also powered by a 3.0-litre inline six. The 2996cc engine is rated at 160kW and 270Nm, the same power but 20Nm more than the 2.5-litre six that powers the 325i.

The 125i is priced from $54,400/$57,200 for the manual and auto versions respectively.

BMW sources say they believe demand for the new coupe will be split roughly 50:50 between the engine variants, though cautions "it's too early to say".

The 135i Sport promises prodigious performance. BMW quotes 0-100km/h in 5.3sec (0.1sec longer for the auto) and an electronically-limited top speed of 250km/h. By way of comparison the last generation E46 M3 manual had the same capped top speed and claimed a 0-100km/h of 5.2sec!

Though BMW is careful to point out the 135i Sport is not an 'M Car', it does come standard with the maker's M Sport Package. This kit comprises bodywork tweaks, sport suspension, steering wheel and trim items, sports seats and special 18-inch alloys.

Both 1 Series Coupes are four-place two-doors. BMW says this configuration "makes better use of the available rear space". The rear seats are separated by a central "binnacle." [Ed: we're betting there's no compass inside it, however].

Leather, 60:40 rear splitfold seats and a choice of interior woodgrain and other accents are standard on both models. The mechanical specifications include four-wheel disc brakes (six-piston front calipers on the 135i Sport) and a full complement of driver and active safety aids including stability control, antilock brakes and more. Six airbags are also standard.

A convertible version of the 1 Series will arrive later this year. At this stage it's not clear whether BMW will add four-cylinder models to the local range.