2012 BMW 1 Series Baltimore

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Available as a coupe or convertible, the compact 2012 BMW 1 Series occupies a space with few competitors. Visual updates for 2012 affect the 128i more than the 135i. The 128i carries revised circular fog lamps, replacing last year's horizontal lamps. Outboard of the fog lights, vertical slats improve air flow around the fenders, enhancing the car's aerodynamics. Also for 2012, the headlights and taillights have been redesigned. The front bumper is new and features BMW's innovative air curtain system. The BMW 1 Series has all the style, performance and features a driver could want in a compact package. It's built around one of the best chassis in the segment, and the only one with rear-wheel drive. The addition of the DCT transmission and the more fuel efficient turbocharged engine only expands its appeal.

'12 1 Series Power

The 128i is powered by a 230-hp 3.0-liter dual overhead cam, inline six-cylinder engine mated to either a six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automatic with steering wheel paddle shifting. The automaker says a stick-shift 128i coupe can hit 60 mph in 6.1 seconds, with the automatic making the sprint in 6.7 seconds. The M Sport Package adds a sport-tuned suspension. The 135i is powered by a turbo, 300-hp, 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine mated to either a six-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed double-clutch transmission with steering wheel paddle shifting. The manual transmission is a pleasure to operate. It's silky smooth and clutch take-up feels natural. The DCT is also an excellent transmission. It uses two clutches, one to hold the current gear and one to ready the next, so shifts are almost seamless. It can be used as a normal automatic or shifted manually via steering wheel buttons or the gearshift. There are several modes of sportiness, ranging from relaxed to lightning quick.

Design of the 2012 BMW 1 Series

The 1 Series remains a small car overall, about 2 inches shorter and narrower than a Scion tC. The BMW 3 Series coupe is about 10 inches longer. Every major part of the car, the nose, the bodyside, the roof and the rear end, blends with the rest of the car to make a shorter, narrower version of the 3 Series with a different and special roofline. The headlights on the 128i have new whitecaps up top, mirroring the headlight treatment across most other BMWs. These lights include a string of LEDs embedded in the caps; it's a visual cue used in the automaker's redesigned 6 Series.

New BMW 1 Series Cabin

Inside, the front bucket seats to be very comfortable and supportive, with big side bolsters. The steering wheel tilts and telescopes, helping drivers of different shapes and sizes to find the ideal driving position. All 1 Series coupes come with a 60/40 split folding rear seat than can almost triple the trunk's 10 cubic feet of space. A storage package for the trunk area includes some tie-downs and straps and a 12-volt power point for external accessories. Without that folding seat, the trunk would be rather small. The 128i and 135i's interior design is fairly traditional, with more upright shapes than sweeping contours. Dual-zone climate controls sit below the center air vents and optional navigation system, with BMW's latest-generation iDrive knob controller ahead of the center console.

2012 1 Series Lineup

The BMW 128i Coupe comes with leatherette upholstery; dual-zone automatic climate control; interior air filter; AM/FM/CD/HD audio with auxiliary input jack; tilt/telescoping leather-wrapped, multi-function steering wheel; height-adjustable front seats; cruise control; high-gloss black interior trim; split folding rear seat; power windows, door locks, and heated mirrors; remote keyless entry; trip computer; outside-temperature display; rain-sensing variable-intermittent wipers with heated washers; rear defogger; automatic headlights; theft-deterrent system; fog lights; and P205/50R17 run-flat tires on alloy wheels.

The BMW 135i Coupe includes a firmer sport suspension and high-performance brakes, M Sport aero body kit, adaptive xenon headlights with washers, sunroof, Gray Poplar wood interior trim, and P215/40YR18 front tires leading P245/35YR18 rears. A 6-speed manual is standard.

The BMW 128i Convertible and BMW 135i Convertible are equipped similarly to their coupe counterparts, except they don't have folding rear seats or a sunroof, and they ride on less radical rubber. The 128i soft top comes with P205/55HR16 run-flat rubber front and rear, while the 135i convertible gets P205/50R17 run-flat tires. Both come with a fully automatic fabric folding top.

Conclusions

Inspired by the BMW 2002, the 1-series redefines the entry-level luxury vehicle with typical BMW refinement and balanced performance. Safety features that come standard on the 2012 1 Series include dual front airbags, seat-mounted front side-impact airbags, side curtain airbags (coupe only), ABS, electronic stability control, traction control, cornering brake control, and launch control for getting started on slippery surfaces. The brake lights include a panic-braking mode that lights up the entire lens extra bright whenever the brake pedal is stomped hard. The federally mandated tire-pressure monitor is standard. For more on this model, visit the official BMW 1 Series website.