BMW's Pint-sized Performance Hatch

By Feann Torr

There are pocket rockets and hot hatches, and then there are a handful of cars that exist above both these categories - serious performance vehicles that just happen take the shape of a compact car.

One of the newest four-wheelers to enter this performance hatch sub-genre is BMW's 130i, which made its debut at the 2005 Geneva International Motor Show.

Simply put, the small, agile body of the 1 Series is mated to the German automaker's new 190kW 6-cylinder engine for pocket-sized thrills.

While a handful of vehicles already exist to rival BMW's exciting new performance hatch, such as the the Alfa Romeo 147 GTA, Audi A3 V6 and Volkswagen's R32 Golf, all of these vehicles are either front or all wheel drive, giving the BMW a distinct point of difference.

All BMW's are rear wheel drive, and the new 130i is no exception. Burnouts in a BMW hatchback anyone?

According to BMW, "the driving enthusiasts at BMW could not resist the urge to install the all new high performance inline 6-cylinder engine into the BMW 1 Series," and the result is the 130i, which has been confirmed for sale in Australia.

BMW's new rear wheel drive hatch maintains the balanced 50:50 (front:rear) weight distribution attributes of the 120i and can be expected to deliver quite a thrill ride for those willing to squeeze all 190kW from the free-revving straight six engine.

The new 3.0-litre engine, dubbed R6, is a new version on the oft-used BMW straight six motor, incorporating a range of new features and using light weight materials to ensure its competitiveness in the marketplace.

Outputting of 190kW (258hp) and 300Nm of torque, combined with an expected kerb weight of under 1300kg, performance figures of 0-100km/h in 6.2 seconds make for interesting reading, while BMW's de rigueur top speed (limited to 250km/h) is actually pretty quick for a hatchback car, so no complaints about the electronic speed limiting this time.

Compared to the other luxury performance hatches offered by European marques, BMW's new 130i does quite well for itself, and combined with its rear wheel drive setup it could become the hypo-hatch of choice.

Despite its three closest rivals all possessing larger V6 engines, the BMW still takes the honours for most power with 190kW, and according to the official data from the manufacturers, it may also be the quickest in a straight line.

BMW's new 3.0-litre 'R6' engine takes advantage of Bi-Vanos and Valvetronic systems, which involves a fully variable valve train with infinitely variable camshaft timing for the inlet and exhaust valves and control of valve opening time and lift respectively.

But it's not just the latest in valve train technologies that make the new Beemer six a cutting edge engine. An aluminium-magnesium composite engine block helps keep the engine's weight down and results in what BMW calls a "silky smoothness" that builds into "an exhilarating growl" up to its 7000rpm redline. Very tasty.

The German company has gone to great lengths to ensure its new engine is one of the lightest on offer, and an electrically driven water pump, hydroformed camshafts and a magnesium engine cover make the R6 the lightest 6-cylinder in its class.

There's also the prospect of an M1 car in future (if sales stay consistent), one that could be offered as the entry-level 'M' Division model, because if the 3.0-litre I6 can be wedged inside the 1 Series engine bay, perhaps a V8 can be as well.

And as crazy as a V8-powered hatch sounds, it wasn't so long ago that 6-cylinder hatches were something close to fantasy.

Though BMW is quick to talk up the 130i's lack of uncontrollable wheelspin and torque steer, the proof of the car's real world ability is in the pudding: during testing, BMW engineers lapped the famous Nürburgring North Loop in the 130i in under 8m35s, which is a lap time expected of a mid-engined sports car, let alone a performance hatch.

Handling response - and to a lesser extent feedback - will benefit from the fitment of Active Steering (not to mention short overhangs), the first time this feature has been offered on the 1 Series.

Simply put, the Active Steering mechanism doubles the rate of front wheel turn via the steering wheel at low speeds, giving drivers the best of two worlds - manoeuvrability in tight spaces at low speeds and precise steering at high speed.

Being a BMW, the new 130i will ship with a host of practical driving features, including six airbags, DSC dynamic stability control including panic stop detector, electronic differential lock and traction control, as well as cornering brake control, run-flat tyres and a tyre defect indicator and LED brake force display stop lights.

BMW's lithe 130i will come with sport seats, a leather steering wheel and an instrument cluster with extra gauges and displays (specially designed for the 130i) as standard equipment in order to cater for the more performance-obsessed sports hatch market, and the BMW 1 Series' Five Star EuroNCAP crash test rating means that the 130i offers occupant protection that is second to none.

The performance hatch's exterior has also been given a mild once-over, adhering to BMW's understated style philosophy. Freshly-spun 17-inch light alloy wheels prop up the 130i, while a deeper front and rear apron combine with deeper side skirts to give the car a more purposeful stance.

When it arrives in Australia in late 2005, the 130i will join the already popular BMW 1 Series family of 2.0-litre 4-cylinder 120i and 118i models. In four months on sale, the BMW 120i has already racked up 633 sales, even before deliveries of the 95kW 118i have begun.

So there you have it - the new performance hatch from BMW - the 130i. Will it put the heat on Audi, VW and Alfa's various performance hatches or will it crumble under the might of an AWD chassis?

Regardless of the competition it faces, the 130i's free-spinning, new generation 6-cylinder engine, a 50:50 weight distribution, 6-speed manual transmission, 17-inch alloy wheels, sports bodykit and of course the all-important rear wheel drive setup will all help to give the new Beemer a very distinct personality.

The 130i will be introduced to Australian BMW showrooms in late-2005. The price will be announced closer to that date, expected to be between $65-$75k.