2006 BMW 130i Preview

Ideal for American BMW Enthusiasts

It has 258 horsepower, and can sprint to 60 mph in less than 6.1 seconds before reaching an electronically limited top speed of

The spec sheet for the all-new BMW 130i compact hatchback has some truly impressive numbers on it. (Photo: BMW of North America)

155 mph. It can lap the world-famous Nurburgring Nordschleife circuit in less than eight minutes and 35 seconds (which is very fast by any definition - a Porsche 911 GT3 can lap it in 7:57). These numbers don't come from the spec sheet of the latest featherweight sports car, but from the all-new BMW 130i compact hatchback.

Since its introduction in Europe last year, the BMW 1-Series has put a different spin on the Golf-sized hatchback segment by emphasizing driver enjoyment. It takes over the position of entry-level BMW from the 3-Series, and so far is the only vehicle in its segment to feature rear-wheel drive. While some controversy remains over the vehicle's interior and exterior styling, the use of iDrive and the lack of rear

The BMW 1-Series has put a different spin on the Golf-sized hatchback segment by emphasizing driver enjoyment. (Photo: BMW of North America)

legroom and cargo space, praise has been universal over the car's perfectly balanced chassis and fluid handling.

Upon its introduction, BMW offered the 1-Series with a set of tiny, but advanced inline fours. The cheapest way of obtaining the keys to a Beemer was through the 116i, whose stripped-out specifications were matched by a frugal 115-horsepower inline-four. Moving up to the 118i meant a more powerful 129-horsepower motor, and with 120i scripted on the tailgate, a total of 150 restless ponies could be called upon. Though the '20' designation is used on the 1-Series, it should be noted that it is an inline-four, rather than the 2.2-liter inline-six, used in the North American 320i.