1 for the road
Will the 130i capture the hearts and attention of hot-hatch loving boys with deep pockets? There's yet an answer, but we took it out to try it ourselves...
At just under $150k, the 130i is pretty expensive for a car this compact. Honestly.
A car that will answer only to a niche market, the 130i will do a good job if you want something unique and something out of the ordinary…or so to speak. Another car that will probably be your answer if “unique” is high on your requirement list will have to be the MINI Cooper S Clubman - it’s $11k cheaper and equally stylish, but if you were to look at it from a “bang-per-buck” perspective, the 130i has the upper hand all thanks to that sonorous 3.0-litre straight six engine, compared to the MINI’s 1.6-litre turbocharged engine. The Volkswagen Golf R32 is another option worth considering too, and has what most motoring scribes would describe as “the most manic but complete packaging” in a hatch – but that would set you back some additional $8k over the 130i.
At the end of the day, that amount of money buys you a brilliant engine paired with excellent handling. Now, if only it looks and rides better…
Credits: Story by Raymond Lai, pictures by Azfar Hashim
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