The BMW 1 series is a fantastic little hatchback, with excellent handling, but it’s always been lacking one thing: looks sex appeal affordability power. BMW has been working feverishly to set this right with a new 1 series hot hatch that has all the practicality of the standard 1 Series, with all the performance of the top of the ladder 1 Series M Coupe.
The M135i ditches the weedy petrol engines of the standard car, in favour of a 3-litre 6-cylinder turbocharged petrol unit that erupts 320hp through its rear wheels. Its M TwinPower turbo system, which uses a twin-scroll turbocharger, helps produce a hearty 450Nm of torque, which is sufficient to help this baby beast charge from a standstill to sixty-two in 5.1 seconds. Top speed is electronically limited to 155mph.
This level of performance dwarfs the ordinary 1 Series cars. More importantly, it compares rather favourably to the 1 Series M Coupe, which does 0-62mph in 4.9 seconds and has the same top speed.
The M135i one-ups its sportier cousin where practicality is practicality is concerned. The car will be available with a choice of either three or five doors. The rear of the cabin isn’t as large as some rival hatchbacks, but it’s large enough to fit a couple of fully grown adults in relative comfort.
The M135i should also be cheaper to run. It’ll do 37.7mpg combined and emits CO2 at a rate of 175g/km. The 1 Series M Coupe returns 29.4mpg combined and spits 224g/km.
Pricing for the M135i hasn’t yet been confirmed, but here’s hoping it’s cheaper than the £40,000 1 M Coupe. If it is, then we’re sold. It’s difficult to think of many cars with this level of performance and practicality. Have a look at it in the pictures below and spew your thoughts in the comments section or on our Facebook page.
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