Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
BMW’S hot hatch revolution
BMW has switched the powertrain and chassis quite dramatically for its new M135i, but is it for the better?
Ever since BMW launched its 1 Series in 2004, the trick this hatchback always had up its sleeve was the fact it was rear-wheeldrive - something that let it stand out next to all its sensible front-driven rivals. That setup lasted to the second generation and it was the sportier M135i - or M140i as it was later named - that showed just how perfect this was. Not least thanks to the 3.0-litre naturally-aspirated six-cylinder engine under its bonnet at a time when everything else had gone turbocharged. Here though, BMW has opted for a more sensible all-wheel-drive (AWD) and turbocharged engine setup.
WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE?
First thing’s first, the M135i has lost a bit of sparkle - it’s no longer the hilarious hot hatch it was, but rather a safe and swift model. Our driving was predominantly in the wet, which is where this shift to all-wheeldrive makes the most sense. It feels like you can utilise every single one of those horses, with sublime traction out of a corner or off the line. The grip is excellent and there’s next to no body lean at all. Despite its sporty stance, though, the M135i is also impressively easy to live with day-to-day. The ride gets the balance about right between performance and comfort. The eight-speed gearbox could be slightly more responsive though, as it really needs to be in ‘Sport’ to feel eager and ready to go.
WHAT’S IT LIKE INSIDE?
Just like always, BMW interiors continue to be right at the forefront of the class. Whether you’re looking for quality, ease of use or stylishness, the cabin of the M135i delivers. You’re greeted by a thick sports steering wheel, impressive digital dials as well as buttons and the main infotainment system that are all angled towards the driver.
WHAT’S THE SPEC LIKE?
Given the M135i sits at the top of the line-up, you’re unlikely to be disappointed by the levels of standard kit. In terms of the equipment itself, it’s not really much different from the M Sport - a model that gets heated sports seats, 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and parking sensors as standard. Prices for the M135i start from £36,770, which makes it £1,000 cheaper than the Audi S3 and matches the price of the Mercedes-amg A35. That said, with this BMW, you’re likely to want to venture into the options pack - the M135i Plus Pack adds larger 19-inch alloy wheels and a Harmon/kardon sound system, which are both worthwhile additions. The Tech Pack I also appeals - this brings a head-up display, adaptive LED headlights and a reversing camera.
THE VERDICT
If you’re an owner of the last M140i, you’re probably going to be a bit disappointed with this new M135i. It lacks the character of the old car, and it’s a shame that there is no longer a true rear-wheel-drive hot hatch on sale. However, come to this car with fresh eyes and you’re likely to be very impressed. The traction, the stability and the pace of this new car is sublime.
WHAT’S NEW?
So the key change on this new third-generation 1 Series is beneath the surface. It’s now AWD (regular 1 Series models send their power to the front wheels) and utilises a turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol unit. More on that later. Elsewhere the design has changed quite dramatically, with the huge new grille being another point of contention, while these ‘M’ versions benefit from some questionable bronze accents. Improvements have also been made on the spaciousness front, as well as with technology - this new M135i is able to reverse itself down narrow streets and help you find parking spaces, for instance.
WHAT’S UNDER THE BONNET?
The 322bhp 3.0-litre unit found in the old M140i was absolutely packed with character, so you can forgive people for mourning its loss. Instead, this new M135i uses a four-cylinder 2.0-litre unit, which produces 302bhp and 450Nm of torque. While undoubtedly not as vocal or as interesting as its predecessor, the past is the past, and this new engine is a good suit. Power is sent to all wheels with BMW’S xdrive system, and a new eight-speed Steptronic Sport automatic transmission is utilised. In terms of performance, 0-60mph comes in a flash - just 4.6 seconds, and it would keep going to 155mph. On the running costs front, BMW says it’ll return 35.8mpg, with CO2 emissions of 180g/km.
WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?
BMW’S design has turned divisive in recent years to say the least, and while not as controversial as other cars from the firm, the looks of the 1 Series will certainly split opinion more than before. The grille is the biggest point of contention - it sticks out like a sore thumb on what is otherwise quite an appealing front end. The rear is a bit generic, too. Squint and hide the BMW badges and you could be looking at a multitude of family hatchbacks. It’s a bit of shame when the last model felt like it had a bit more of an identity, and was more easily identifiable as a BMW. But styling will always divide opinion, and many will welcome this model’s more angular and imposing look - at least from the front anyway.