The new BMW M135i was revealed at the Geneva Motor Show in March, and will be available in South Africa in 2013.
BMW South Africa has recently announced the imminent arrival of the new hatchback 1-series. South African drivers will be able to choose between three ultra-sporty two-door 1’s, including the prodigious M135i with its 3-litre straight six-cylinder engine. The M135i cranks out 235kW, 320hp and 450nM of torque at 4500rpm, and can be tamed with a 6-speed manual or 8-speed Steptronic gearbox (which tacks another R20100 on to the price).
Hailed by the German auto-giant as having an “unmistakable” design aesthetic, the new M135i will certainly catch the eye of many younger BMW enthusiasts, especially with its twin-scroll turbos. The highly teched-out package of the M135i also includes the direct High Precision Injection with central multi-hole injectors, VALVETRONIC variable valve control as well as Double VANOS variable camshaft timing. Described by BMW as “a top-ranking vehicle thanks to its straight-six petrol engine with M Performance technology, M precision-engineering and high-performance chassis and optimised aerodynamics"> the M135i certainly catches the eye of those who appreciate clean design and superb engineering.
Uniquely in its class, the new 1-series are all rear-wheel drive, and the M’s design is also more sport-like when you see the three-dimensional flaps on the outer air-vents – an element allegedly inspired by motor-racing. These inlets are separated by horizontal supports in the distinctively BMW M Ferris Grey metallic colour. The side profile of the M is made super-aggressive as a result of the contoured side skirts and 18-inch M light alloy double spoke wheels, and the rear of the vehicle enhances this with the lower portion enclosing the dual exhaust pipes and finished in Dark Shadow metallic.
The interior of the M135i clearly revels in the sheer joy of the car’s engineering achievement and the marriage of the 1-series to the M-model. The M lettering can be found throughout the car’s cabin space including the door sills, leather steering wheel and M driver footrest. The M135i model will most likely be available in one non-metallic and five metallic colour finishes.
Also important for South African motorists is the respectable fuel consumption of the M135i. According to the car’s EU test cycle average fuel consumption is 7.5-litres per 100km and the carbon dioxide emissions sit at a passable 175grams per kilometre.
The M135i reaches a factory-set electronic speed control system determined 250km/h and does the critical 0-100km/h dash in a whopping 5.1seconds, and 4.9seconds in the automatic. Not bad for a hatchback!
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