2013 BMW M135i Hatch Launch Review
2013 BMW 1 SERIES REVIEW
Vehicle style: High performance hatchback
Price: $64,800
Engine: 3.0 litre turbocharged direct-injected inline six
Power: 235kW/450Nm
Fuel use listed: 8.0 l/100km (man), 7.5 l/100km (auto)
The 1 Series M Coupe may be no more, but stepping into its place as the most affordable M-badged BMW is this: the M135i.
And there it is, a big ol’ “M” on its tailgate.
But it’s not quite the unique machine the 1 M was. Where that beast had a bespoke suspension layout, much of it borrowed from the E92 M3, the M135i features the same suspension geometry used by every other F20 1 Series hatchback.
That could have you thinking the M135i isn’t special; isn’t quite the full performance bottle. But you’d be mistaken. It most definitely is, and the difference between it and the more prosaic four-cylinder variants of the 1 Series range is stark.
In automatic guise, it’s every bit as fast as the 1 M in a straight line. And it’s more than capable of carving up corners.
To show us just how good the new M135i is, BMW invited TMR to test out it out on the challenging and sinuous roads around Victoria’s picturesque Yarra Valley.
We came away very impressed. In our opinion, this is the finest hot hatch we’ve ever driven.
THE INTERIOR
It’s mostly familiar F20 1 Series gear in here, with the exception of the heavily-bolstered front seats, blue dashboard accent and heavily-textured aluminium trim.
The seats are great, with fantastic lateral support and a wide range of adjustment. They aren’t powered though, which may irk some.
Nevertheless, it’s easy to find a comfortable driving position. The steering wheel can be adjusted for both tilt and reach, and the level of reach adjustment allows the wheel to be placed much closer to the driver - perfect for enthusiastic driving.
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