Following the announcement of a performance-oriented 1 Series model last month, BMW has officially presented its 128ti model. The letters stand for Turismo Internazionale, the abbreviation the company used twice in the sixties (1800 TI, 2002 TI) and twice in the nineties (323ti Compact, 325ti Compact).
The front-wheel-drive hatchback sits right below the range-topping M135i xDrive in the lineup. Its two-liter turbo-four engine churns out 265 hp (198 kW) along with up to 400 Nm (295 lb-ft) of torque. The transmission is eight-speed automatic (Steptronic Sport), and the Torsen differential has 31% locking capability during acceleration and 26% during braking. M Sport suspension drops the ride height by 10 mm (0.4”), the steering benefits from certain tweaks, and the anti-sway bar is more rigid than before thanks to M135i xDrive mounting points. Customers may opt to have their standard tires replaced with Michelin Pilot Sport 4 ones at no additional cost.
The 128ti weighs in at 1,520 kg (3,351 lbs) with the driver in, which is 80 kg (176 lbs) below the M135i xDrive. Despite this, it still needs 6.1 seconds to reach 100 km/h (62 mph), while the M135i manages the sprint in just 4.8 seconds. The top speed stays capped at 250 km/h (155 mph), and mixed-cycle fuel use averages at 6.1 – 6.4 liters per 100 km (UK: 45 MPG; USA: 37 MPG).
The new car boasts red décor in its air intakes, on the rear bumpers and side sills. The M Sport brakes have four pistons at the front axle, and the brake discs are sized 360mm front and 300mm rear. Other notable features include “ti” badges and 18-inch 553 M wheels with a bi-color finish, although you can pay more for 19-inch ones.
The Shadowline package introduces a black radiator grille bezel and side mirrors to the mix, as well as the optional BMW Individual lights Shadowline. Red accents can be found in the interior as well.
The BMW 128ti will go on sale next month priced starting from €41,574 in Germany. The M135i xDrive comes in at €6,678 above that amount.