1 Series [Official] The BMW M135i
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The BMW 1 Series is a range of subcompact executive cars (C-segment) manufactured by BMW since 2004. Positioned as the entry-level model in BMW range of products, the first generation was produced in hatchback, coupé and convertible body styles.
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Autocar's report on the M135i:
BMW is planning hot hatch supremacy with its racy 316bhp M135i. Seen here in production guise for the first time, the turbocharged 3.0-litre, six-cylinder M135i has been officially confirmed as the performance flagship of BMW’s second-generation 1-series line-up after being previewed as a concept at the Geneva motor show in March.
The rear-wheel-drive M135i is the second model to join BMW’s new M Performance line-up, following the M550d xDrive. Unlike its 376bhp, tri-turbocharged diesel sibling, the petrol-powered M135i has been engineered for both left and right-hand drive, and local sales begin in September.
Pricing for this long-anticipated hot hatch has not yet been officially confirmed, but Munich sources have revealed to Autocar that it will hit UK showrooms for about £29,900 in standard three-door, rear-wheel-drive guise. Key among its rivals will be the significantly more expensive but soon-to-be-superseded £39,950 Audi RS3 Sportback, the £30,575 Volkswagen Scirocco R and the £26,040 Renault Mégane 265.
Also lined up firmly in BMW’s sights is the soon-to-be-revealed Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG, which is expected to reach Britain early next year bearing a similar price tag and packing 335bhp from a turbocharged 2.0-litre engine. Alongside the initial three-door model revealed here, BMW is also readying a five-door version that is tentatively planned to go on sale in the UK in November.
The M135i is powered by the latest take on BMW’s widely used N55 engine. Recently launched in the 640i coupé and convertible, the 3.0-litre straight six uses a twin-scroll turbocharger along with BMW’s patented Valvetronic variable valve control and double Vanos variable camshaft control systems, along with the latest in piezo valve-guided direct injection to deliver 316bhp at 5000rpm and 332lb ft of torque at just 1350rpm. Channelling drive to the rear wheels is a standard six-speed Getrag manual gearbox, or an optional eight-speed automatic from ZF — both featuring stop-start and brake energy recuperation functions.
The M135i’s outputs aren’t quite a match for the 335bhp and 369lb ft of the older N54 twin-turbo 3.0-litre unit used in the discontinued 1-series M Coupé. It also fails to match the 335bhp of its main rival, the all-wheel-drive Audi RS3 Sportback, although the M135i matches the 332lb ft of the RS3’s turbocharged 2.5-litre, five-cylinder petrol unit. BMW claims, officially, that in manual form the M135i is capable of cracking 0-62mph in 5.1sec. The eight-speed automatic version cuts this figure to 4.9sec. The fastest rival, the RS3 Sportback, hits the same mark in 4.5sec. The new go-fast 1-series also delivers a 50-75mph fourth gear split of just 4.3sec, a standing kilometre time of 23.9sec and a top speed governed to 155mph.
Combined economy is put at 35.3mpg for the manual and 37.7mpg for the automatic. The respective CO2 figures are 188g/km and 175g/km. A claimed kerb weight of 1425kg gives the most powerful 1-series hatchback yet a power-to-weight ratio of 222bhp per tonne. In comparison, the 1575kg RS3 packs 203bhp per tonne.
The M135i is distinguished from its standard three-door 1-series siblings by an aggressively styled body kit developed in-house at BMW’s M division. The sculpting includes a deep front bumper with larger air ducts for increased engine cooling, chunkier side sills under the long frameless doors, shapely mirror housings, a prominent spoiler atop the tailgate and a heavily reworked rear bumper with a blackened lower section housing two chromed tailpipes. The exterior styling changes ensure the M135i retains the same frontal area as other new three-door 1-series models, but the drag coefficient rises from 0.31 to 0.33, due mainly to the larger wheels and tyres.
BMW M division insiders have already begun talking up the M135i’s on-road talents, suggesting its standard rear-wheel drive layout will ensure that it offers inherent dynamic benefits to lift it above the front-drive and four-wheel-drive competition. As with every model developed by BMW’s M division, it has undergone extensive chassis testing, including a 6000-mile programme at the Nürburgring Nordschleife circuit in Germany. The new car rides on a reworked version of the standard 1-series’ rear-wheel drive chassis, with MacPherson struts up front and a five-link arrangement at the rear. Stiffer springs, dampers and bushes give the car a lower ride height than other new three-door 1-series models. Included as standard are uniquely styled double five-spoke 18-inch wheels — 7.5 inches wide up front and 8.0 inches at the rear — shod with 225/40 and 245/35 tyres respectively.
Further changes have been directed at the steering; the electro-mechanical system has been tuned for added directness and more urgent response. The brakes, too, have been upgraded and feature 340mm ventilated discs up front and 345mm ventilated discs at the rear. They are grabbed by newly developed four-piston calipers up front and two-piston calipers at the rear — all bearing a blue colour scheme and sporting the stylised M logo of BMW’s M division, which has been responsible for the development of all the company’s new M Performance models.
From November onwards, BMW will offer a four-wheel drive option with a similarly powered M135i xDrive, although this won’t be sold in the UK. British buyers will, however, be able to choose a five-door M135i from this November.
Greg Kable
Source: http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/AllCars/262817/
I must say, the car looks sensational side-on. The rear is not at all bad (it's pretty darned fine actually), the side surfacing is smashing and the proportions are good. It's just that face and that's a shame really...
BMW is planning hot hatch supremacy with its racy 316bhp M135i. Seen here in production guise for the first time, the turbocharged 3.0-litre, six-cylinder M135i has been officially confirmed as the performance flagship of BMW’s second-generation 1-series line-up after being previewed as a concept at the Geneva motor show in March.
The rear-wheel-drive M135i is the second model to join BMW’s new M Performance line-up, following the M550d xDrive. Unlike its 376bhp, tri-turbocharged diesel sibling, the petrol-powered M135i has been engineered for both left and right-hand drive, and local sales begin in September.
Pricing for this long-anticipated hot hatch has not yet been officially confirmed, but Munich sources have revealed to Autocar that it will hit UK showrooms for about £29,900 in standard three-door, rear-wheel-drive guise. Key among its rivals will be the significantly more expensive but soon-to-be-superseded £39,950 Audi RS3 Sportback, the £30,575 Volkswagen Scirocco R and the £26,040 Renault Mégane 265.
Also lined up firmly in BMW’s sights is the soon-to-be-revealed Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG, which is expected to reach Britain early next year bearing a similar price tag and packing 335bhp from a turbocharged 2.0-litre engine. Alongside the initial three-door model revealed here, BMW is also readying a five-door version that is tentatively planned to go on sale in the UK in November.
The M135i is powered by the latest take on BMW’s widely used N55 engine. Recently launched in the 640i coupé and convertible, the 3.0-litre straight six uses a twin-scroll turbocharger along with BMW’s patented Valvetronic variable valve control and double Vanos variable camshaft control systems, along with the latest in piezo valve-guided direct injection to deliver 316bhp at 5000rpm and 332lb ft of torque at just 1350rpm. Channelling drive to the rear wheels is a standard six-speed Getrag manual gearbox, or an optional eight-speed automatic from ZF — both featuring stop-start and brake energy recuperation functions.
The M135i’s outputs aren’t quite a match for the 335bhp and 369lb ft of the older N54 twin-turbo 3.0-litre unit used in the discontinued 1-series M Coupé. It also fails to match the 335bhp of its main rival, the all-wheel-drive Audi RS3 Sportback, although the M135i matches the 332lb ft of the RS3’s turbocharged 2.5-litre, five-cylinder petrol unit. BMW claims, officially, that in manual form the M135i is capable of cracking 0-62mph in 5.1sec. The eight-speed automatic version cuts this figure to 4.9sec. The fastest rival, the RS3 Sportback, hits the same mark in 4.5sec. The new go-fast 1-series also delivers a 50-75mph fourth gear split of just 4.3sec, a standing kilometre time of 23.9sec and a top speed governed to 155mph.
Combined economy is put at 35.3mpg for the manual and 37.7mpg for the automatic. The respective CO2 figures are 188g/km and 175g/km. A claimed kerb weight of 1425kg gives the most powerful 1-series hatchback yet a power-to-weight ratio of 222bhp per tonne. In comparison, the 1575kg RS3 packs 203bhp per tonne.
The M135i is distinguished from its standard three-door 1-series siblings by an aggressively styled body kit developed in-house at BMW’s M division. The sculpting includes a deep front bumper with larger air ducts for increased engine cooling, chunkier side sills under the long frameless doors, shapely mirror housings, a prominent spoiler atop the tailgate and a heavily reworked rear bumper with a blackened lower section housing two chromed tailpipes. The exterior styling changes ensure the M135i retains the same frontal area as other new three-door 1-series models, but the drag coefficient rises from 0.31 to 0.33, due mainly to the larger wheels and tyres.
BMW M division insiders have already begun talking up the M135i’s on-road talents, suggesting its standard rear-wheel drive layout will ensure that it offers inherent dynamic benefits to lift it above the front-drive and four-wheel-drive competition. As with every model developed by BMW’s M division, it has undergone extensive chassis testing, including a 6000-mile programme at the Nürburgring Nordschleife circuit in Germany. The new car rides on a reworked version of the standard 1-series’ rear-wheel drive chassis, with MacPherson struts up front and a five-link arrangement at the rear. Stiffer springs, dampers and bushes give the car a lower ride height than other new three-door 1-series models. Included as standard are uniquely styled double five-spoke 18-inch wheels — 7.5 inches wide up front and 8.0 inches at the rear — shod with 225/40 and 245/35 tyres respectively.
Further changes have been directed at the steering; the electro-mechanical system has been tuned for added directness and more urgent response. The brakes, too, have been upgraded and feature 340mm ventilated discs up front and 345mm ventilated discs at the rear. They are grabbed by newly developed four-piston calipers up front and two-piston calipers at the rear — all bearing a blue colour scheme and sporting the stylised M logo of BMW’s M division, which has been responsible for the development of all the company’s new M Performance models.
From November onwards, BMW will offer a four-wheel drive option with a similarly powered M135i xDrive, although this won’t be sold in the UK. British buyers will, however, be able to choose a five-door M135i from this November.
Greg Kable
Source: http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/AllCars/262817/
I must say, the car looks sensational side-on. The rear is not at all bad (it's pretty darned fine actually), the side surfacing is smashing and the proportions are good. It's just that face and that's a shame really...
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That would be a great choice.
Also my opinion. The front ruins it to me, seing it in real life made less bad but still a no buy for me.
To big light housing, especially to high, Z-direction and also goes to far back on the side of the car.
Hopefully the 2:er will get new lights.
But I must say that I am very pleased with the supposed price. 29000£, I was expecting it to be more costly.
I have almost given up on buying a new BMW that meets my twisted requirements.
(For 29000£ I have been looking at more of a summer toy than a second car, the Ginetta G40R. Even more toy than car actually. And still not clear if/when left hand drive and if it will get other than UK national approval).
But buying a car that can actually be used as a car makes it easier to persuade the family its a great idea to buy a not needed car...
And to hear the sweet straight six would be SWEEET. Really looking forward to reviews.
(Just to be clear I don´t see the cars I am thinking of buying as competitors. There are a handfull of them and they are all very light and N/A and most with not alot of power. The 135 is the exception becasue of a love for the Munich straight six, though I would prefer it N/A).
Human
You. The Road. Nothing else.
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Yip! And for that @ the price one can forgive the design mistake @ the front
I can! Seeing the little hatches on and from my way to work (plenty sold in my town by the local dealer's commission crazed staff) IRL the front end does not look half as bad IMO.
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Ja, you're right N. Does not look half as bad, looks twice as bad! 
Besides, the best place to be with an ugly car that's great to drive? On the inside! And this is one car I could easily climb into every day! Screw the looks - I've driven ugly cars for the last 8 years now. No point in ending that tradition.
Besides, the best place to be with an ugly car that's great to drive? On the inside! And this is one car I could easily climb into every day! Screw the looks - I've driven ugly cars for the last 8 years now. No point in ending that tradition.
Human
You. The Road. Nothing else.
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Ja, you're right N. Does not look half as bad, looks twice as bad!
Besides, the best place to be with an ugly car that's great to drive? On the inside! And this is one car I could easily climb into every day! Screw the looks - I've driven ugly cars for the last 8 years now. No point in ending that tradition.
The only person you need to convince in life is yourself, I mean you can drink a ugly girl to look pretty
And at least your honest with yourself Martin me old mate!
I mean you can drink a ugly girl to look pretty
Wouldn't recommend doing that with the car though.
speed_kills
Diesel Dynamiker
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They're will be a M135 Xdrive which is will directly target the RS3.
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Uhm, none of us have seen the M135i front in real life yet....
The front of the M135i is different from the normal F20, and that little line between the lights and grille makes it already look a lot better than the regular F20. A LOT!!!
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Agreed. There is no point in mentioning the RS3 here since its an 1M rival.
mini_cooper4
Autotechnik Ace
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Amazing pocket rocket!
I can't wait to see the M235i
After test driving the F20 I'm more than pleased with it's handling, steering and ride.
I really want the 120d but I still can't live with that front and hopefully the 2er will be the car I'm waiting for if not the 4er
I can't wait to see the M235i
After test driving the F20 I'm more than pleased with it's handling, steering and ride.
I really want the 120d but I still can't live with that front and hopefully the 2er will be the car I'm waiting for if not the 4er
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There are several points. First, they're both hatchbacks, and secondly, the S3 is no match at all for the M135i.....and I VERY MUCH doubt the RS3 even is. Actually, I don't even doubt it.
M135i can only be compared to the RS3. Nothing else is good enough in that class.
Zafiro
Supreme Roadmaster
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you are such Audi hater, its getting a little too much on your head. You are just wrong. The RS3 will smoke M135i both on the track and acceleration. Eat your words!
If you are comparing the M135i to the old hat RS3 which is based on a chassis that has been around since the dinosaurs then I agree with Klier in that it should smoke it at most things. Whether it will stand much of a chance against the next gen. RS3 which I'm betting will be here is 1.5-2 years from now I wouldn't be so sure.
As for question of current RS3 vs M135i in acceleration, it really depends on whether it's from a standing start or a rolling start.
As for question of current RS3 vs M135i in acceleration, it really depends on whether it's from a standing start or a rolling start.
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BMW
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, abbreviated as BMW is a German multinational
manufacturer of luxury vehicles and motorcycles headquartered in Munich, Bavaria, Germany.
The company was founded in 1916 as a manufacturer of aircraft engines, which it produced
from 1917 to 1918 and again from 1933 to 1945.
Official website: BMW (Global), BMW (USA)
Official website: BMW (Global), BMW (USA)
