BMW M140i Finale says bye to rear-drive six-pot
After this, the hottest 1 Series will switch to an A35-mirroring all-wheel drive, four-cylinder setup
BMW is bidding farewell to the formula of a six-cylinder, rear-wheel drive 1 Series with the launch of the M140i Finale edition, which will forever be the last to use this 'traditional' Bavarian setup. Since the next hot 1 Series model is set to adopt all-wheel drive and four-cylinder power, a controversial move that will align it more closely with rivals such as the Mercedes-AMG A35, the M140i Finale is here to close the chapter on the M division's tail-happy hot hatch.
Announced first for Australia, the Finale gets extra standard kit to entice buyers towards its 340hp form. Included as standard are a set of Orbit Grey 18-inch wheels, gloss black kidney grilles and darkened lights at the front and rear. The exhaust tailpipes are finished in black chrome to match, while metallic paint is standard.
Inside, there's wireless phone charging and the additional storage package, which provides more compartments to hold your things - handy when you're exercising the inline six up front - and the roof has an electric sunroof. That all comes on top of the regular kit list of the M140i, which includes top-spec infotainment, leather upholstery and keyless entry.
The car's main ingredients, that twin-scroll turbocharged 3.0-litre engine and accompanying rear-wheel drive hardware, remain unchanged, although the Finale only comes with an eight-speed automatic gearbox, meaning it just misses out on being the ultimate hero-spec 1 Series. We'd hope that a final edition of M140i for Britain would offer three-pedals as standard to really give the car a proper send-off. BMW UK's press office told PH that so far there's no mention as to whether we'll get one, though.
Either way, the next 1 Series is due to be launched later this year using front-wheel drive underpinnings that are shared with the 2 Series Active Tourer and Mini models. That means the powertrains under its bonnets will rotate 90 degrees into a space-saving transverse position, triggering the shift to multi-plate-clutch-enabled all-wheel drive for the following high-performance model.
The successor to the M140i is expected to be called the M130ix, which explains its use of a turbocharged 2.0-litre engine and two driven axles, and it could produce something in the region of 300hp. That's a significant power drop, but expect real-world pace for the next car to be at least as fast thanks to the additional traction on offer and steps forward in chassis development. No doubt it'll be a very effective machine.
But for those of us who prioritise driving dynamics above outright pace, it looks as though the outgoing rear-drive M140i will remain a peach of the 1 Series lineage. Sure, it's not been without its faults, but it's hard not to fall for the engine's silky smooth charms and its eagerness to over-rotate those back wheels.
So as news that the formula is to so drastically change with the successor spreads, expect demand for used examples to rise accordingly. It doesn't seem far-fetched to suggest that second hand prices for the whole family of M-fettled 1s, including the M135i and perhaps even the preceding 135i M Sport, will be boosted as people realise this is the end of the line for rear-drive 1 Serieses. If you're thinking about buying an M'd 1, you might not want to wait too long...
One other thought - the current car doesn't exactly take prisoners, frankly it is almost as wayward as the original 323i at times, so taming it is also a real pleasure - something to get a thrill from, rather than just going ever faster with unlimited grip from all those differentials. Hi Hunny I survived my commute can take on new meaning!
• 118i, 140 PS/220 Nm (1.5 3 cyl)
• 120i, 190 PS/280 Nm (2.0 4 cyl)
• 125i, 224 PS/310 Nm (2.0 4 cyl)
• 130i, 265 PS/380 Nm (2.0 4 cyl)
• M135i Performance 306 PS/450 Nm (2.0 4 cyl)
• 118d, 150 PS/350 Nm
• 120d, 190 PS/400 Nm
• 125d, 231 PS/500 Nm
• 125xe PHEV
There's no word yet on what models will have all wheel drive available/standard.
Increasingly I find myself looking backwards at the BMW legacy, lamenting the current and future line up and longing for signs that a worthy successor to the likes of a 2002tii or Z8 is somewhere on the horizon. Ever hopeful...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Top_Gear_tes...
"Not my words Carol".... check the company a standard M135i is keeping in that list, a balanced chassis, rapid auto box, marginally less drivetrain losses and plenty of torque means it puts down a respectable time.
I think prices will stay similar to what they are now as there are a lot about, enthusiasts may care about RWD and straight sixes but the Blogger types and their disciples will just go for the next shiny thing they can get for £300 odd quid a month that goes like stink. Personally I am quite happy with any drive layout as well.
If every manufacturer essentially sells their car with very similar engines/drivetrains/transmissions, what will their USPs be?
I think it’s a shame this is going to end up as another transverse mount 4 pot hatch back.
Currently it’s a unique and interesting little car.
If every manufacturer essentially sells their car with very similar engines/drivetrains/transmissions, what will their USPs be?
Also, does anyone else suddenly quite want an RS3?
I am both amazed and happy that you could get such an engine in a small car for so long.
I am not even remotely fussed that on a cold wet road it wouldn't see what way an A45 or S3 went.
Fancy diff might have been a good idea though!
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