BMW’s New 128Ti: A FWD Hot BMW?

Those of us old enough to remember the E46 compact or Ti may be alarmed at the return of the moniker, but understand in this context it means Turismo Internazionale, rather than the weird chopped rear end version of the 3-series of before. With the simplified and non-BMW fan boy-friendly recipe, It also now means BMW is taking swings at the likes of the Golf GTI, Megane RS and even Hyundai’s I30N in the FWD hot hatch games.

2021 BMW 128TI: Exterior

Standard with the Bespoke M-Sport Package, the key differences are the Shadowline trimmings, which add gloss black mirror caps, door frames, kidney grille and darkened headlights. Red accenting carries through as a theme throughout the entire vehicle, with the side skirts, front air intake inlets, brake callipers and “ti” insignia all featuring gloss red composition. At the rear, a dual exhaust set-up with 90mm chrome tips are mounted in a rear defuser with the same accents seen through-out the vehicle. Bespoke bi-colour Y-spoke 18-inch style 553 M light-alloy wheels complete the look and fill the arches rather snugly.

2021 BMW 128TI: Performance

The 128ti is powered by the same new generation Twin Power Turbo 2 litre four-banger as in the M135i. Read Our Review of the BMW M135I X Drive here – https://themotoristold.co.za/2020-bmw-m135i-xdrive/. Albeit with less power, the front wheels still have to contend with a detuned 195kW and 400Nm. Power is delivered via an 8-Speed automatic transmission and will be channelled through a mechanical Torsen Differential. The quoted acceleration times are properly impressive with the 0-100 sprint completed in just 6.1seconds and a limited top speed of 250Km/h. The M Sport Suspension has been lowered an additional 10 mm, with the addition of M Sport brakes, stiffer anti-roll bars and No cost option Michelin Pilot Sport 4 rubber.

2021 BMW 128ti: Interior

Internally the cabin will remain mostly the same, with the addition of sports seats with extra bolster support, featuring red embossing and ‘ti’ logos on the headrest. The doors, dash and steering have also been embossed with the same red stitching and a bright red ‘ti” features on the armrest.

2021 BMW 128ti: Pricing in South Africa

The 128ti will hit international markets in November of 2020 and is priced (in the UK at least) identically to the Golf 8 GTI, which is a very interesting move from BMW. Locally the ti should arrive in the first quarter of 2021 with a price tag of around the 600K mark and with the Golf 8 GTI expected around the same time, it’s safe to say the gloves are off and this may be the ti that we remember for the right reasons.