The 116d Efficient Dynamics continued BMW‘s pattern of complicated petrolheads with its badge designation and engine capacities. Up till this facelift, all diesel 1 Series variants had been powered by 2.0-litre motors, together with the 116d. Come 2015, this was not the case.
As beforehand talked about, the 116d Efficient Dynamics received a 1.5-litre turbocharged three-pot diesel engine, with the remainder of the diesel vary staying loyal to the two.0-litre capability. The base 116d received an output of 114bhp, the 118d was upped to 147bhp and the 120d pumps out 187bhp. The diesel flagship 125d (nonetheless in 2.0-litre kind) develops a substantial 221bhp.
Buyers searching for a petroleum 1 Series received the selection of the 1.6-litre, three-cylinder, 134bhp 118i and 174bhp 120i – the two.0-litre 125i with 214bhp and naturally, the ballistic M140i with its 335bhp 3.0-litre twin turbocharged straight six engine.
Just by being a diesel BMW, the 116d Efficient Dynamics comes into this part with a heavy weight of expectation hung, albatross-like, round its neck, however with solely three cylinders to name its personal, it won’t initially encourage the utmost confidence.
The 1.5-litre triple, nevertheless, proves to be a credit score to each the automobile and the BMW model, delivering admirably peppy and versatile energy mixed with sturdy real-world economic system and an industrious model of likeability.
BMW’s six-speed handbook gearbox is definitely an acquired style, although, and it is the one transmission on provide if you need the 89g/km of the EfficientDynamics Plus mannequin.
The springy, notchy, sometimes fussy shift really feel can be immediately acquainted to long-time BMW house owners, however the EfficientDynamics mannequin’s low-resistance gearbox oil solely serves to exacerbate the unit’s stubbornness – significantly when ranging from chilly.
Once you get used to the deliberate drive required to alter gears with any confidence, there’s the gearing to get on phrases with. With a taller closing drive than that of the common 116d, the EfficientDynamics mannequin feels extraordinarily long-legged.
Around city, you’ll seldom get out of third gear, whereas sixth is just too tall for even average motorway acceleration. As such, common cog-swapping is important if you wish to mix good economic system with equally good ground-covering tempo.
That the automobile manages to tug off these lengthy ratios has the whole lot to do with the working vary of its engine. The three-pot diesel is predictably spikey at low revs, firing some vibration via the pedals and seat. But its inherent benefit comes with engine pace, as a result of because the tacho needle climbs, so the coarseness and wheeziness you anticipate of a diesel engine declines to materialise.
Although the engine produces its 114bhp peak energy at 4000rpm, it revs to 5000rpm and past fairly freely and responds neatly all through the rev vary with a lovely, constant unfold of urge.
Real-world gas economic system is likewise spectacular, and whereas it’s not probably the most civilised engine in its class, the 1.5-litre triple conforms to BMW’s trendy turbodiesel mould. In different phrases, it’s able to over-deliver on efficiency, effectivity and tractability above all else.
At the opposite finish of the spectrum, the two.0-litre four-cylinder diesel lump of the 125d is remarkably linear in its supply, with a broad energy band that is nearly free from lag and one which continually desires to chase the redline past its peak energy output at 4400rpm. Its hefty 331lb ft of torque from 1500-3000rpm makes the 125d unquestionably swift in real-world driving, too.