Benefiting from their drive concept conceived and designed for supreme driving pleasure, the four cylinder BMW 116i, 118i and 120i gasoline engine versions, as well as the BMW 118d and 120d diesel models, have already hit the headlines through their drive concept focusing on superior driving pleasure. And now the BMW 130i extends the successful story of the 1 Series model range by adding a particularly thrilling new version in this class.



A Genuine BMW - and a New Driving Experience in the Compact Class

Powerful engines and the transmission of power to the rear wheels ensure supreme driving pleasure of the highest standard, four doors, a large tailgate, and the highly versatile and very practical interior guarantee superior function all round. Indeed, it is precisely this concept which gives the BMW 1 Series its particular character as the only car in the compact class featuring rear wheel drive and, as a result, all the driving and handling qualities so typical of a genuine BMW: superior dynamics, safe handling and optimum traction in every situation. And now the BMW 130i lifts the driving pleasure provided in this way to an even higher standard than before.


The concept of combining a high performance engine with rear wheel drive in a compact car gave BMW's engine development specialists the great reputation for the first time almost 40 years ago to have a particularly good feeling for driving pleasure in its purest form. And the thrill of this idea has remained unchanged to this very day, the BMW 130i now marking the climax in converting this concept into practical benefits on the road.


With its compact exterior dimensions, an extremely short body overhang at the front, low weight, wide track and - at 2.66 metres or 104.7 inches - the longest wheelbase in its class, the BMW 1 Series offers the very best ingredients for supreme agility. Added to this, there is the ideal weight distribution of almost 50:50 front-to-rear, a harmonious balance of axle load ensuring safe handling in spontaneous steering manoeuvres, together with supreme directional stability in fast bends thanks to centrifugal forces acting equally on the front and rear wheels.


The newly developed fivearm rear axle ideally supports the particularly sporting overall setup of the car refined once again for the BMW 130i, at the same time raising roll comfort to a new and even higher level. With its stiff structures, straight, rod-shaped arms and short levers, the innovative lightweight steel structure ensures extremely precise wheel guidance.


The particular design and layout of the front axle also benefits the BMW 1 Series, particularly in terms of optimised driving dynamics. The double joint spring strut tiebar axle, together with its anti-roll bar, is made largely of aluminium, combining low weight with exceptional strength and stiffness.


The benefits of this innovative suspension technology come to bear in particular in interaction with the transmission of power to the rear wheels, the BMW 1 Series combining impressive directional stability with supreme pre­cision also at high speeds. Another outstanding strength of the car is its spontaneous response to even the smallest movements of the steering wheel and gas pedal. At the same time the BMW 1 Series is not affected by drive forces acting on the steering, which inevitably occur on front wheel drive cars. But the driver nevertheless receives exact feedback on road conditions at all times via the steering.

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