M135i Top Gear lap time

[nickfrog]

It would look as though the M135i got a 1:25.1 this morning in the dry. To be broadcast on Sunday. Golf GTI PP 1:28.6.

For reference:

01:24.4 Audi R8
01:24.9 Porsche Boxster Spyder
01:25.0 Noble M400
01:25.1 Lotus Exige S
01:25.3 Porsche Panamera turbo
01:25.3 BMW M3 (E90 Saloon)
01:25.4 Ford GT40
01:25.7 Lotus Evora
01:25.7 Audi RS4
01:25.7 Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder
01:25.9 Morgan Aero 8 GTN
01:26.0 Mercedes-Benz CLK 63 AMG Black series
01:26.0 BMW Z4 M roadster (E85)
01:26.0 Noble M400
01:26.0 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII MR FQ320
01:26.2 BMW M5 (E60)

Apologies if this is the wrong section, it's all quite confusing.

[ditchvisitor]

Bloody hell, that's quick! Can't wait to collect mine on Saturday!

[///Mike]

M135i as quick around the track as an Exige S? Hmmmmmm.

[Shotgun Jon]

I've heard this first hand from someone that was there today when they filmed.

It's certainly put a marker down.....

[ditchvisitor]

Was the BM manual or auto?

[Johnb850]

This doesnt suprise me at all.

The M135i is a fierce package.

[///Mike]

No doubt the M135i is a great little car but I just can't believe its quicker than an Exige S in similar conditions. Unless of course some of those lap times posted were wet laps?

[nickfrog]

Mike, I guess the Lotus' gearing or aero doesn't really help it on that particular configuration. It might hit a barn door a couple of times where the M135i grabs some "free" tenths.

[ditchvisitor]

Is it Saturday yet.....

[jon-]

It's a powertrack, so no surprise it can pace the Lotus.

That said, as quick as an R8 / M3. Nope. It must have had one of those special engines with the boost turned up to 12.

[///Mike]

I am still not buying it sorry.

Exige S power to weight is 290+HP per tonne
M135i power to weight is 220hp per tonne

The Lotus turns in far better and whilst there are power elements of the track there are also some really tight bits where the lotus would brake much later, corner quicker and accelerate out faster.

The M135i is good but its not that good. Under the same track conditions I just can't see it.

[Pentoman]

My question would be... What are the chances of a customer, off the showroom floor version (with a non-press car VIN) lapping anywhere close?!

[copperman05]

The M135i's time is pretty good, I agree on paper at least the Exige should do better, but its not just the Lotus that the M135i is impressive against.

[///Mike]

copperman05 said:

The M135i's time is pretty good, I agree on paper at least the Exige should do better, but its not just the Lotus that the M135i is impressive against.

I agree. I picked out the Lotus as its an out and out sports car with less weight and more power against what is a breathed on hatchback.

[copperman05]

///Mike said:

I agree. I picked out the Lotus as its an out and out sports car with less weight and more power against what is a breathed on hatchback.

Perhaps the new stig is just a complete driving god and makes the old stig/s look somewhat slow in comparision?

[Johnb850]

Gents, please dont dismiss the M135i package.

Yes Power to weight is low.

However, please note that the M135i is able to use all of its power all of the time. Turbo-charging gives it max torque from just shy of 1000rpm and maintains this until 5000rpm. And the 8-speed auto allows for instantaneous gear changes with no loss of forward momentum.

This all adds up to allow the M135i to punch above its weight at cars with better power to weight but with older style power trains.

I know from my own personal experience that an M135i has very similar (if not better) straight line performance as a manual E90 M3.

[Kawasicki]

That's quick!

[Jazzer]

What about the ride down a B road?

The car is quickly all over the place and forces the driver to back off when things start getting interesting. I was really disappointed with this aspect.

But fabulous drive train and bang per buck!

[nickfrog]

Johnb850 said:

Turbo-charging gives it max torque from just shy of 1000rpm and maintains this until 5000rpm.

I doubt the Stig had to use less than 5000rpm at any point anyway, he wasn't picking up a curry down the road.

A turbo on track is more of a disadvantage really, at similar levels of power.

Jazzer said:

What about the ride down a B road?

The car is quickly all over the place and forces the driver to back off when things start getting interesting.

The one I drove had ideal suspension set up for B-roads : long travel, soft and compliant, even decent damping. I would have thought it would have hampered it more on track.

Edited by nickfrog on Thursday 27th February 12:49

[Shotgun Jon]

jon- said:

It's a powertrack, so no surprise it can pace the Lotus.

That said, as quick as an R8 / M3. Nope. It must have had one of those special engines with the boost turned up to 12.

If BMW have form for putting forward none standard press cars like you are suggesting they've done with the M135i, why didn't they do that with the M3 you've referred too?