If you assume BMW, you assume slinky physique and that silky free revving 6-cylinder engine. You in all probability think about it blasting up a twisty street too. Whereas the 4-cylinder 2023 230i may sound rather less spectacular, it’s price remembering the automobile maker’s historical past.
What many overlook is that the German model’s lineage included a really particular Group A homologation automobile. It had two doorways like the brand new 230i, an iconic form and pedigree that noticed it raced throughout the globe. It was additionally powered by a 4-cylinder engine.
For these not following, the automobile we’re describing was the E30 M3. An enormous of its time, lauded by many as an icon of sheer driving pleasure. Having had the nice fortune of driving one, this author can attest that it’s worthy of the hype.
Transfer ahead 30-odd years and BMW nonetheless have a 4-cylinder engine (albeit with a turbocharger) in a good-looking rear wheel drive coupe. Enter the BMW 230i, the very automobile we’re testing right here.
Sitting between the bottom 220i and its huge brother, the turbocharged 6-cylinder all-wheel drive 240i, the 230i is a standard rear-wheel drive coupe structure with some efficiency intentions. It’s a well-executed evolution of its predecessor too.
Facet-on, the lengthy swooping bonnet coupled with a brief rear overhang offers the 230i a deliciously clean and flowing profile. Other than the awkward rear mild therapy, it’s not a nasty factor to look again at, from the entrance anyway.
The choice bins ticked on our take a look at automobile embody the Enhancement Pack, which provides pretty staggered M Sport “mild” 19-inch alloy wheels, a sunroof and metallic paintwork. The latter unlocks the beautiful Portimao Blue that this instance is draped in.
The color actually accentuates the delicate coke-bottle flare of the entrance and rear guards when the solar catches them. We additionally scored the Consolation Package deal, which provides heated seats and steering wheel, together with lumbar assist throughout each entrance seats.
As with all Australian BMW fashions, the M Sport package deal got here commonplace as effectively, offering an aero pack, M Sport suspension and brakes, ambient lighting, a darkish headliner, backrest width adjustment and particular inside finishes.
The inside is a very good place to be, with loads of textured and smooth supplies surrounding the driving force, together with Alcantara and Sensatec seating, accented with blue stitching.
The motive force’s pew has a myriad of electrical adjustability, together with BMW’s trademark extendable seat bottoms, which implies when you can’t get comfy on this cockpit it’s best to stick with the bus.
Atop the centre stack is a big wide-format 8.8-inch touchscreen, supplemented with a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, with a heap of personalisation accessible throughout each.
True to BMW kind, the interfaces throughout the assorted screens and tactile buttons all through the cockpit are all logical and effectively thought out – making familiarising ones self with the automobile easy regardless of the variety of totally different menus and settings accessible.
Wi-fi telephone charging, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included, however yours really would have optioned the Harman Kardon encompass sound system. As one would anticipate, the complete gamut of security associated know-how is readily available too.
From radar cruise with braking operate, to lane departure warning and management, it’s all right here. You’ll additionally discover glorious digicam techniques, together with a top-down show and a praise of airbags come commonplace.
The brand new 2 Sequence is bigger than the outgoing mannequin, however sadly loses dimension internally. Regardless of this and even with my 6-foot body, I used to be pleasantly stunned with the quantity of room within the 230i coupe.
Whereas it maintains a glossy profile outdoors, as soon as you might be inside it’s fairly spacious and ethereal for the entrance two passengers. We’re positive the large sunroof has a component to play on this although.
Within the rear, it’s strictly a 2-seat affair, with fantastically sculpted buckets presenting themselves both aspect of a plastic storage compartment. Our late single-digit aged youngsters had been capable of sit comfortably for an inexpensive drive across the metropolis.
It’s price noting minor changes had been required to the entrance passenger aspect seat to accommodate the bigger of the 2. Entry to the rear row is nice although, however at occasions frustratingly sluggish as the method is electrical slightly than a guide slide of the seat.
The final of the 3-zone computerized air-con controls and two USB ports spherical out back-row lodging. However one doesn’t purchase a automobile like this to rely the conveniences inside.
One look over the “energy bulge” of the bonnet and only a single nook into the drive had yours really reconsidering considerations round a few lacking cylinders. It’s an actual driver’s automobile that must be seen as an entire package deal.
The seating place throughout the chassis is ideal. Far sufficient again the place you are feeling your posterior is near the rear axle however not far sufficient away the place you are feeling disconnected from the entrance wheels.
In truth when driving, the 230i feels quite a bit smaller than what it’s. It promotes a sense of connectedness, rapidly and nimbly responding to each driver enter. On these, the driving force can set preferences throughout steering, engine tune and transmission.
The manufacturing facility pre-sets throughout Eco, Regular, Sport and Sport Plus every make changes throughout the 4 capabilities. For the ultra-nerd – these pre-set’s are supplemented with an “Particular person” setting, which permits the driving force to pick their very own preferences.
The two.0-litre 4-cylinder engine is not any powerhouse however does ship 190kW and 400Nm. It’s responsive, with minimal lag and an excellent dollop of torque early within the rev vary. It deploys this energy with a satisfying hiss of turbo spool that’s audible with the crack of a window.
Now it’s necessary to notice that there are hot-hatches that can effectively eclipse these output figures for much less cash, and dispatch the dash to the magic tonne quite a bit sooner than BMW’s claimed 5.8 seconds.
However when paired to the wonderful ZF-sourced Steptronic 8-speed gearbox and incredible chassis dynamics, the 230i offers a degree of driving engagement and pleasure that these hatches merely can not match.
The gearbox deserves some point out right here. Torque convertor gearboxes have been round for many years. A tried and examined design which will have you ever considering it doesn’t carry the identical dynamism of say a dual-clutch unit. Properly I’m right here to let you know to assume once more.
It shifts quick, like actually quick, up and down the gears, with a delicate rev matching blip that can put a smile in your face as you strategy a twisty little bit of street. It does all this whereas eradicating the concern about an costly rebuild that might come from a extra complicated unit.
An early morning blast up one in every of our favorite bits of twisty street near house gave me an opportunity to discover the 230i’s capabilities. Regardless of Sydney’s dangerous roads, and due to the M Sport suspension, the BMW by no means felt unsettled over potholes or tough patches.
The chic steadiness of the chassis grew to become much more evident right here, with nice chunk on turn-in, no apparent understeer, and nice mid nook velocity and stability. It was solely right here, when linking corners, that turbo lag grew to become obvious.
This author would slightly regulate his driving fashion to go well with the lag and save the burden over the entrance axle, than have the punchier 6-cylinder engine. Sure, I did simply say that, and I’d like to have a while on a racetrack to essentially discover the boundaries of this automobile. That’s how good it’s.
The 2023 230i is really the sum of its components. As completely satisfied driving as much as the valet at a swanky resort as it’s up a mountain street at daybreak. Whereas it’s no E30 M3, we reckon that iconic automobile can be proud to name this one, its grandson.
The 2023 BMW 230i is priced at $76,200 plus on-roads (as examined). You’ll be able to construct your individual on the BMW Australia web site. In case you’re eager on one and wish finance, go to CreditOne.
Our take a look at automobile was offered by BMW Australia. To search out out extra in regards to the 2023 BMW 230i, contact your native BMW supplier.