BMW 120i 2017 Review

When BMW first introduced the 1-series, they introduced something unique in the C-segment: rear wheel drive. Since then, it's always been the only rear-wheel drive C-segment car. And even today, there isn't a rear-wheel drive competitor.

Recently however, BMW introduced the 2-series Active Tourer and X1, both of which are front-wheel drive. So there has to be something weird going on, if the future 1-series don't get front-wheel drive as well. If that happens, the BMW 1-series loses its unique selling point. And that would be a shame. Because of that rear-wheel drive layout, this BMW 1-series has something no other car in this segment offers. For example; there isn't any reaction from the drivetrain in the steering wheel. That's because the front wheels just have to steer the car, they don't have to distribute power to the tarmac. And that's very nice. Also, the weight distribution is almost 50-50, which is the ideal scenario.

That's because normally, all of the parts like the engine and gearbox, are in the front. That means there's nothing left in the back. In this BMW however, there's a propshaft and a differential. Also, the engine is tucked very far back, almost completely behind the rear axle. That makes sure you almost the half of the weight on the front axle, and the other half on the rear axle. That balances the car pretty well, and that's why this 1-series really feels like a BMW.

And that's different than any other car in this segment, and I like that. It makes sure that it's very capable, dynamically speaking. It's got a great ride. You can also steer it with your throttle, unlike a lot of others in this segment. It's not like you can drift easily, because they've incorporated a little bit of understeer in the chassis, just to keep it safe. But you are able to steer the car by using the throttle. A little bit of throttle here, and the car adjusts itself in the corner. And makes it a little bit challenging. So for people who really like steering, people who don't see cars as just a way of transportation, but more like something you can really enjoy. This 1-series is something special in this segment. With that being said; right now you can get, if you save up some money, some really nice 6-cylinder engines.

And that's going to be history quite soon. That's because the engine is mounted longitudinal. Because BMW builds straight 6's, the engines are pretty long. And as long those engines are mounted longitudinally, there isn't a problem, because lengthwise, there's enough room. But if they were to switch to front-wheel drive, the engine would be mounted transversely. And to be honest, trying to fit a straight-six in such a confined space, that'd be quite the challenge. So those 6-cylinders engines, will soon be consigned to the history books as well, and that's too bad. It's not all bad though. Front-wheel drive does have its advantages. One of the things this BMW just isn't good at, is the roominess.

That's because the engine is mounted longitudinal, pretty far in the back. That means the remaining space is pretty shallow. Especially the legroom in the back, that's far from leading in this class. Also, the propshaft is in the prop-tunnel, which goes through the interior. That means you can only fit two people in the back, because a third person wouldn't be able to place his feet. So the switch to front-wheel drive really has its advantages. It becomes more practical, and a lot of the good things a BMW offers, remain in the car. The engines for example, they'll probably be lifted straight from the current generation. They're already being used in the X1 and the Mini as well.

So the 120i-engine, which is a 2.0-litre turbo which produces 184 horsepower and 290 Nm of torque, will probably be available again in the front-wheel drive car. And it's a very nice engine. It isn't as high-revvy as the previous 1.6 turbo, it isn't very rewarding if you push through the revs. It's got 290 Nm of torque at 1,350 RPM though, and that means it always has the upper hand. There's always a lot of power available, especially when it's connected to the 8-speed automatic ZF gearbox. You don't really need more than this, because it really is quick. That's nice, and that will stay the same. Just like the interior, the styling, the finishing, the i-Drive ergonomics, those things will stay. If the time comes, there'll be lots of reasons to keep driving a 1-series. That said, BMW has already proved with the 2-series Active Tourer and the X1, they can build a very nice driving, compact front-wheel drive car. Then again, a very nice driving, compact front-wheel drive car can also be found elsewhere. A very nice driving, compact rear-wheel drive car however, always was BMW-territory with this 1-series.