BMW M135i xDrive confirmed with 306hp four-pot
The M140i will be succeeded by an all-wheel drive AMG A35 rival - with a 2.0-litre motor
Tissues at the ready M140i adorers; BMW has confirmed that its next-generation M-fettled 1 Series will jettison its straight six and use a 2.0-litre four-pot engine instead. The future M135i xDrive’s motor will earn the title of most powerful BMW four with a peak output of 306hp, making it more potent than the VW Golf R and, rather conveniently, identical to the Mercedes-AMG A35. But, as the model name suggests, it’ll drive all four wheels, suggesting the days of a tail happy BMW hatch will close with the M140i Finale Edition.
BMW is promising that its upcoming range-topping 1 Series will have “extremely dynamic handling properties”, however, suggesting it might not turn into a Bavarian take on AMG’s straight-laced A35. M division engineers certainly know how to extract excitement from an all-wheel drive system, although there’s no mention of a lairy, rear-drive mode which features on the M5 and next M3. Perhaps the xDrive hot hatch will offer a rear-biased setting in order to live up the BMW’s claims for dynamic prowess instead.
While the old rear-driven six-pot M140i and its closest predecessors had more power than the upcoming model, the traction advantage and, according to BMW, a more tractable turbocharged engine suggest an M135i xDrive will have better real-world performance. Indeed, the M140i has never been a hot hatch chosen for its outright pace but rather its more traditional powertrain and driveline layout. The two-axle-driven rivals from VW and AMG have more often than not been the quicker point-to-point machines.
Beneath the head of the M135i xDrive’s 2.0-litre engine are new pistons and cod rods, while the motor has also been given a larger turbo. The 1 Series’ electronic stability control has also been completely redeveloped to offer more fun dynamics even when the system’s on. Combined with a significant boost in structural rigidity from the underlying platform, BMW says this’ll all equate to better handling and refinement. The car will also grow in size to give passengers in the back 33mm more legroom and 19mm extra headroom.
The M135i xDrive will be an entirely different beast to the silky, comparably old school M140i, then. We’re expecting big things, of course, and there’s certainly space in the market for a properly playful all-wheel drive hot hatch that can also provide daily duties and remain fairly inconspicuous. So while we’ll all mourn the loss of a rear-driver 1 for years to come, it’s perhaps also exciting to think that the Golf R’s reign might finally be challenged by a lairier German cousin from Bavaria. Don’t you think?
At least with this gap in 'out the box' form, there should be a bigger gap when moving from the confusing 'M Performance' to the 'BMW M' range.
Thankfully the 2 Series will keep the I6 and RWD formula, but this just sounds like a BMW facsimile of the Golf R / S3 / A35.
The new A45 s has rwd biased 4wd mode.
I think a lot of people would look at an XDrive M240i if they are priced similarly to what they chuck out in rwd.
https://www.topgear.com/car-reviews/bmw/2-series/m...
Hot hatches are so lacking in individuality now you may as well just choose the one with the best finance deal and be done with it.
I always liked that BMW bucked that trend, sad to see them give in.
The new A45 s has rwd biased 4wd mode.
PS: drifting the A45 on ice (vid launced today) unfortunately doesn't require rear biased awd...
Thankfully the 2 Series will keep the I6 and RWD formula, but this just sounds like a BMW facsimile of the Golf R / S3 / A35.
They must have flogged an awful lot of boggo 1 series given the number 135/140's I see knocking about (no doubt helped by the very aggressive discounts).
Totally agree re the lack of differentiation from the Golf R et al. For me the big, six cylinder in a relatively small car was the draw and why I bought the M140. It's far from the prettiest hot hatch, but the drivetrain helps me get over it.
As for the engine, another bland sounding 4cyl with engineered exhaust pops and up-change farts. Don't get me wrong, I'm not in the market for these kinds of cars, nor do I have any brand alliance, but it's not getting the hairs standing on end, especially with the sheer choice of this type of car on the market.
I don't expect this to do well without a defining, only in class, straight 6 for the enthusiasts, but I am sure it will fly off the shelves for all those hot headed folk with £350pm to burn for 48mths.
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