BMW has quietly released local pricing for its most powerful member of the 1 Series range.
In six-speed manual guise, the M135i will weigh in at R458 814 while the 8-speed automatic model will cost R477 803, both prices are inclusive of CO2 tax.
At the heart of the M135i sits the latest version of BMW’s N55 twin-scroll turbocharged 3,0-litre straight-six petrol 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.
The M135i will have its work cut out against the new Audi S3, which will hit our market early next year.
BMW M135i MT – R458 814
BMW M135i AT – R477 803
