2007 BMW 130i Coupe : Love car New car review 2008

2007 BMW 130i Coupe

by Fei Lim
One of the things that you can always rely on with BMW is that it will always have the capacity to surprise. Just when you think you have them tagged as the ultimate in big, luxurious fast cars, along they come with the 2007 BMW 130i Coupe, just to throw you off course.When BMW first introduced this hatchback model, it was a revelation to a car buying public that saw BMW as possibly the last car manufacturer to come out with a hot hatch to go up against the likes of Volkswagen, Ford and Fiat. However, not only did the BMW 130i go up against these established manufacturers, they more than held their own performance-wise. And they did it while offering excellent fuel economy too.Now, with the introduction of the 2007 model, the BMW 130i is ready to take on all-comers again, especially with the new line-up of features it has.Fuel EconomyOne of the key features in the BMW 130i Coupe is Brake Energy Regeneration, which works by using an Intelligent alternator Control, alongside an Absorbent Glass Mat battery. By using these three features in conjunction with one another, the car recycles any lost energy it uses up, and this in turn saves fuel.Another way that the BMW130i Coupe saves energy is by using Electric Power Steering, as opposed to the more traditional hydraulic method. What this enables the car to do is only use the power steering when it's really needed - turning a corner, for example. The energy savings here are excellent, which in turn saves on fuel use.TechnologyAs well as the above features, the new 2007 BMW 130i Coupe also comes with a plethora of technological adjustments on this year's model. Due to the new engine variants that the model has, you can now save up to an average of $500 on your yearly fuel cost (if you drive an average 12,000 miles annually).Add to this the new Dynamic Stability Control, coupled with BMW's legendary Dynamic Traction Control, and the BMW 130i is not only one of they most comfortable cars to drive, it's also one of the safest. This is thanks to the 50/50 weight distribution, as well as the rear wheel drive that the car enjoys.What the 130i comes with as extra, as opposed to the other models in the BMW 1 range, is Hill Start Assistant, Brake Pre-tensioning, Brake Drying, Brake Fade Compensation and Soft Stop to ensure safety is paramount at all times, as well as fantastic performance.StylingOne of the things that can't be leveled at the 2007 BMW 130i Coupe is a problem with its design. It's an intensely good-looking car, and one that will definitely stand out from the crowd.The kidney grill at the front of the car is now larger, and apart from improving the airflow to the engine, it also gives the car added venom in looks. The spoilers, both front and rear, have also been redesigned, and now look like they were made for one of the 130's more illustrious BMW stable mates.PerformanceOf course, what everyone wants to know is how the car performs, and here the 2007 BMW 130i Coupe doesn't disappoint. In fact, when you compare it with similar cars from BMW's competitors, it's more than a match.Weighing in with over 265.00 BHP, combined with a torque of 315.00 NM, the 310i can go from 0-60 mph in just 5.9 seconds. Its top speed is also impressive for a small car, with it being able to reach 155.4mph easily, even in a limited setting.Perhaps this isn't surprising when you look under the bonnet, where you'll find a six-cylinder three liter engine purring away, always ready to give you that boost of speed when you need it most. And with 24 valves, with 4 valves to each cylinder, it's a performance that is as smooth as it is impressive.ExtrasIf all this isn't good enough for you, then the little extras BMW has given the 130i are the icing on the cake. With a USB port, you can play your favorite tunes on your iPod or MP3 player, all controlled with the steering wheel.