2017 BMW M140i Performance Edition Review | Limited Edition Sparkle For BMW’s Smallest Star
There’s always something entertaining about squeezing the most powerful engine possible into the smallest car available, and right now German automakers in particular are doing a cracking job of it.
BMW plays its part with the bonkers M2 coupe, but what if a coupe isn’t for you? If you need a more useful or accessible back seat there’s no fully-bonkers 1 Series equivalent, but at least there is the M140i packed full of turbocharged six-cylinder urge in a compact rear-wheel drive package.
As if that isn’t enough, BMW has a range of M-Performance upgrades available that allows you to tailor your M140i’s styling and handling, and to commemorate the brand has put together a batch of limited edition M140i Performance hatches that deliver guaranteed driving thrills.
Vehicle Style: Prestige small hatch
Price: $71,900 plus on-road costs
Engine/trans: 250kW/500Nm 3.0-litre 6cyl turbo petrol | 6sp automatic
Fuel Economy Claimed: 7.1 l/100km | Tested: 8.4 l/100km
OVERVIEW
The bad news, if you’re reading this right now, is that the M140i Performance was a sell-out success and a very limited offering with just 60 cars hitting Australian shores split between 45 eight-speed automatics (like the car tested here) and 15 six-speed manuals.
Some of the M Performance Parts include Orbit Grey bi-colour 19-inch alloy wheels, carbon fibre mirror caps, and an interior finished in open-pore carbon fibre (BMW’s name for it, not ours), an Alcantara-trimmed steering wheel, and a set of alloy sports pedals.