BMW is looking to reignite the performance flame that was seemingly snuffed out with the cessation of 1 Series M Coupe production. Enter the 235 kW M135i – the firm’s counter to the likes of the upcoming Mercedes-Benz A25 AMG and Audi RS3.
While BMW has nixed the idea of bringing the new 3 Series touring to our shores, the firm’s local arm has confirmed that the M135i will make its way onto our market in September. It will be the second model to join BMW’s recently formed M Performance line-up following the M550d.
The M135i is powered by BMW’s latest version of the twin-scroll turbocharged 3,0-litre N55 engine. Utilising direct fuel injection, variable-camshaft control and variable-valve control, this unit develops 235 kW at 5 000 r/min and 450 N.m of torque between 1 300 and 4 500 r/min. Drive is sent to the rear wheels via a choice of six-speed Getrag manual gearbox or eight-speed ZF automatic transmissions. BMW claims a 0-100 km/h time of 5,1 seconds for the manual and 4,9 for the automatic with the top speed capped at 250 km/h. Thanks in part to start/stop and brake energy recuperation, the average fuel consumption in is 8,0 L/100 km for the manual and 7,5 L/100 km for the automatic, with CO2 emissions of 188 g/km and 175 g/km, respectively.
Although based on the upcoming 3-door F20 1 series, an aggressive body kit that was developed in-house by BMW’s M division distinguishes the M135i from its lesser siblings. The front features a deeper bumper with enlarged front air dams while the sides feature sportier sills and revised mirror housings. A revised rear bumper with twin exhaust ports and a sizeable roof spoiler round things off at the rear. The whole shooting match rolls on a set of 18-inch alloy wheels in a 5-spoke design that accommodate ventilated discs measuring 340 mm (front) and 345 mm (rear), which are grasped by four-piston callipers up front and two-pistons at the rear. A five-door version is also on the cards.
During development the M135i underwent close to 10 000 km of testing at the Nurburgring’s infamous Nordschleife in Germany. As such, the underpinnings have undergone a number of revisions, including a stiffer springs and damper set-up that lowers the ride height as well as a recalibration of the standard car’s electric power steering in a bid to enhance both accuracy and feedback.
Although it is slightly down on power compared to its 1 M Coupe predecessor, and therefore also below the RS3 in terms of sheer clout, it matches the Ingolstadt rival in terms of torque and boasts a power-to-weight ratio of 175 W/kg versus the RS3’s 159 W/kg.
Expect it to cause quite a stir when it arrives here in September.
