The BMW 1 Series - perhaps not the first choice of the die hard PHer - even in 130i form the boxy hatch has struggled to steal sales from the traditional recipe hot hatch, but is that all about to change?
Last week PistonHeads were invited to see the new 1 Series Coupe, and despite what you may have thought from the early spy pictures, it has developed into a great looking car, especially with the M Aerodynamics Package.
But its looks are just the start of the story as BMW engineers have managed to squeeze in the fantastic 3.0 straight six, twin turbo engine from the 335i. This means 306hp in a car weighing only 1560kg. Rapid then? Well how about a top speed of 155mph and the 0-60 sprint taking only 5.3 seconds- exactly the same as an M3 CSL.
We’ll have to wait to get behind the wheel for a true driving impression - this was just a static reveal - but the spec sheet shows an electronically controlled differential that the engineers told me will offer the same effect as a differential lock- let’s wait and see when one arrives at PH Towers in a few weeks time.
The 135i Coupe is helped in the looks department by the Aerodynamics Package giving a different front and rear bumper, side skirts, a rear lip spoiler and larger 18” wheels.
I came away really wanting a 135i Coupe, and who wouldn’t with that sort of power? As I left BMW’s HQ I found one of the senior team involved with the car and asked ‘what about an M version with a bit more power, a proper diff and a further weight saving?’ The reply was that there was no need, this car was already fast enough. That may be true, but I’m sure Hartge or Alpina already have something in the pipeline?
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135i Coupe Tech
- Length: 4360 mm
- Wheelbase: 2660 mm
- Weight: 1560 kg
- Cylinders: Straight six
- CC: 2979
- Power: 306hp@ 5800 rpm
- Torque: 295 lb-ft
- Front suspension: double- joint tiebar spring strut axle, aluminium
- Rear suspension: five-arm axle, lightweight steel
- Steering: Rack and pinion
- Brakes front: Six- piston fixed callipers with 338mmx 26mm vented discs
- Brakes rear: Two- piston fixed callipers with 324mm x 22mm vented dics
- Top speed: limited to 155 MPH
- 0-60- 5.3 seconds
- 50-70- 5.0 seconds (4th gear)