New 2008 BMW 128 - Price, Photos, Reviews & Features

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Hear the noise, feel the thunder, experience the lightning! While the “i” stands for a fuel-injected engine, BMW’s smallest offering is a real rocket. Coupe or convertible, the inline-six in the BMW 128i produces 230hp, enough to hurl it to highway speeds in a few blinks of the eye.

The 128i is more compact and less practical (to some) when shopped against costly hatchbacks like the Volkswagen GTI, Mazdaspeed3 or Audi A3. But none offers the level of interior quality or driving pleasure that’s become the Bavarian automaker’s distinct definition.

Fashioned after that racing triumph – the sizzling 2002 BMW sports sedan – the 128i shares modern and heyday characteristics. The hood line flows straight along the side into the short rear deck, the grille hunches forward a bit and the wheels spin from nearly the corners of the car. Yet the new model’s detailing gives it a decidingly curvy sweep across its lower half, imaging the current 3 and 5 Series. With one exception: the BMW 128i is a full ten inches shorter than a 3 Series Sedan.

This rear-wheel drive’s aggressive package includes two fat exhaust pipes, just in case you weren’t sure of its performance intentions. Barreling out of corners, the car’s light weight helps offer a liquid smoothness in road operations. Sporting a low-cut roof, soft-touch dash plastics, cushy Leatherette seats and metallic or wood-grain trim, the rear buckets are almost useless (but does it matter?). Make up for it by dropping the electro-hydraulically-operated softtop in a swift 22 seconds.

Considering that convertible, the standard softtop is available in either black or taupe cloth, but it’s the optional Moonlight Black version which is unique to the 1 Series. Metallic fibers give it a shimmery silver appearance in sunlight. The visual effect enhances the convertible’s range of nine colors including the exclusive Cashmere Silver Metallic hue.

Both styles are privy to BMW’s optional iDrive, equipped with six Programmable Memory Keys for navigation, radio stations, or the numbers in your little black book.

Toss two full sets of golf clubs in the trunk and your premium ride is ready to roll.

The new 1 Series Coupe has made its American debut; the 128i Convertible will be available this spring. Both the BMW 128i Coupe and 128i Convertible give more road, wind and engine noise than we’ve become accustomed to in Bimmers. Which could make the 128i the perfect vehicle for enticing young enthusiasts into a lifelong love affair with the ultimate driving brand.