GO
GoAutoLogo
MENU

Make / Model Search

New models - BMW - 1 Series - 118d 5-dr hatch

First drive: BMW goes green with diesel fuel miser

One up: The BMW 118d was the 2008 World Green Car of the Year.

BMW wheels out fuel-sipping 118d armed with 4.5L/100km diesel with idle-stop

9 Dec 2009

LOOK out Toyota Prius, because BMW is gunning for the eco dollar with the release this month of the E87 118d hatchback.

Furthermore, the German company is keen to make a green splash in the sports car segment with the 118d version of the E88 1 Series Convertible.

Priced from $42,170 and $52,900 respectively, the 118d hatch – the 2008 World Green Car of the Year no less, and 118d Convertible employ a range of BMW’s EfficientDynamics features that are designed to increase performance while reducing consumption and emissions.

In the 118d hatch the important numbers are 105kW of power at 4000rpm, 300Nm from 1750 to 2500rpm, 0-100km/h in 9.0 seconds (auto: 9.1s), 4.5 litres per 100km in the combined fuel consumption cycle (auto: 5.4L/100km), and just 119 grams per kilometre of carbon dioxide emissions (auto: 144g/km).

But while the 118d Convertible also delivers 105kW and 300Nm from the same 1995cc 2.0-litre in-line four-cylinder turbo-diesel unit, its 1475kg kerb weight compared with the 118d hatch’s 1320kg mass means that the ragtop is more leisurely to 100km/h from standstill at 9.5 seconds (auto: 9.6 seconds), slightly thirstier at 4.9L/100km (auto: 5.6L/100km) and less carbon friendly at 129g/km (auto: 148g/km).

14 center imageAs in the 123d also released at the same time, the 118d’s fuel economy and low carbon figures are aided by the inclusion of EfficientDynamics measures.

These include idle-stop system that cuts the engine when idling in neutral with the clutch depressed, an optimum shift indicator in the instrumentation panel (telling the driver when to change up or down a gear via an LED display), electric power steering (replacing the use of the hydraulically powered item found on most other BMWs) and brake energy regeneration (generating electric power from energy otherwise wasted as lost heat via the brake system).

But while BMW acknowledges that the 118d hatch’s outputs cannot match the $33,900 (or $53,500 if we’re talking about the generously specified i-Tech) Toyota Prius’ 89g/km and 3.9L/100km results, the Bavarians hit back with promises of no driving pleasure compromises and close-to-hybrid consumption figures in real-world highway driving circumstances.

The other eco duo the 118d hatch is hunting is the $38,990 Audi A3 1.9 TDIe five-speed manual (77kW, 250Nm, 11.7s 0-100km/h, 4.5L/100km and 119g/km) and the $43,500 Mercedes-Benz A180 CDI Classic (80kW, 250Nm, 10.8/11.1s manual/auto, 5.2L/100km and 137/142g/km manual/auto).

Meanwhile, the 118d Convertible operates in a more rarefied atmosphere, with just the $49,900 Audi A3 Cabrio 1.8 TFSI Attraction petrol automatic providing comparable competition against the diesel sun chaser from Southern Germany, or so says BMW.

It provides 118kW, 250Nm, 0-100km/h in 8.0s, 6.9L/100km and 159g/km of CO2 emissions.

We think we can also include the $47,990 Volkswagen EOS 103 TDI in there, thanks to its hearty offerings of 103kW, 320Nm, 0-100km/h in 10.3s, 5.8/6.3L/100km manual/DSG and 153/166g/km manual/DSG.

2010 BMW 118d hatch range pricing:
118d hatch $42,170
118d hatch (a) $44,370

Quick tests

Read more

GoAuto can help you buy a new 1 Series

Customer Terms and Conditions – New Car Lead enquires

Agreement

This is an agreement between GoAutoMedia Pty Limited ACN 094 732 457 of PO Box 18, Beach Road, Sandringham, VIC, 3191 (“we/us”), the owner and operator of the GoAuto.com.au website (“the website”) and the person wanting GoAuto.com.au to provide them with a lead for the purchase of a new car (“you”).

By completing a New Car Lead Enquiry, you agree to the terms and conditions and disclaimers and acknowledge the policies set out below.

Terms and Conditions

  • In order for us to effect a lead you must you must complete a New Car Lead Enquiry (“Enquiry”).
  • We will call you as soon as possible after you complete the Enquiry and certainly no later than the next business day. When we call, we will discuss with you your new car requirements.
  • You consent to our passing on the Enquiry and your requirements to an appropriate authorised motor car dealer as a lead.
  • We will contact you again in approximately eight days following your initial enquiry to check on the progress of the Enquiry.
  • While we will provide the dealer with the Enquiry and details of your new car requirements, we take no responsibility for what happens after passing on that material as a lead.
  • You acknowledge that we are a new car information service providing new car editorial information, pictures and prices to our customers as a guide only. Any new car prices published on the website are the manufacturers’ recommended retail prices and do not include delivery charges and on-road costs. Any authorized motor car dealer to which we pass on your Enquiry as a lead will provide you with full details of the price at which the vehicle will be sold to you.
  • You acknowledge that we do not sell motor vehicles. Any sale of a new car to you by a dealer after we have passed on your Enquiry to that dealer as a lead, is a sale by that dealer not by us.

Privacy Policy– New Car Lead Enquires

  • We take privacy very seriously. We understand that you will only complete an Enquiry if you can trust us to protect your personal information and use it appropriately. Our policy is to ensure that the personal information collected when you make an Enquiry is only used for the purposes of connecting you with an authorised motor car dealer.
  • We do not on-sell information collected from you or any other customer.
  • From time to time, we may email you with information or promotions that may be relevant for car buyers. You will continue to receive communications from us unless you tell us that you do not want to receive any advertising or promotional information in the future by unsubscribing from these communications.
close
* Denotes required field
** Australian inquiries only

Click to share

Click below to follow us on
Facebook  Twitter  Instagram

BMW models

Catch up on all of the latest industry news with this week's edition of GoAutoNews
Click here