Car review: BMW M135, the suave 300hp hatchback

MUNICH – With the dominance of new electric cars being launched over the past nine months, it is refreshing to experience a car that has an internal combustion engine for a change.

BMW has just launched its latest versions of the 1-Series, all with internal combustion engines. Petrol-engine models are the 120 and M135 xDrive. Notice there is no “i” suffix in the badging, as BMW is reserving that for full-electric models from here on.

While the hot M Performance version, the M135 xDrive, is expected to arrive by early 2025, the 1.5-litre, 170hp, 120 variant – which was also at the press event in Munich – will not be coming to Singapore.

BMW calls the M135 xDrive the all-new fourth generation of the 1-Series hatchback, even though it is more like a heavily reworked version of the previous-generation car. Front and rear doors look like they have been carried over, and the wheelbase is unchanged at 2,670mm.

The noticeably sleeker and more sloped front end contribute to the 42mm increase in overall length. The grille is slimmer and wider with horizontal slats.

BMW says the re-engineering of the powertrain, suspension and chassis were extensive enough to qualify the car as an “all-new model”, deserving a new internal model code: F70.

For the driver, the first obvious change is the seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox in place of the previous eight-speed torque converter automatic. Adaptive M Sport suspension, four-port front brake calipers and a mechanical limited-slip differential in the front all come standard for the M135.

The four-cylinder, two-litre, turbocharged engine has a redesigned cylinder head design from the one in the superseded M135i. It makes less power – by 6hp – and torque, by 50Nm.

BMW says the engine power ratings of the new M135 could be specified at between 300hp and 317hp depending on the destination markets, with Singapore expected to get the 317hp version. The cars at the launch event have 300hp.

Whatever the state of engine tune, though, torque is capped at a peak of 400Nm between 2,000rpm and 4,500rpm.

This reviewer can only guess that BMW is planning on integrating a hybrid system to this model later in its life. That would definitely increase the engine performance and fuel efficiency.

As it stands, the M135’s acceleration time to 100kmh of 4.9 seconds is nothing to be scoffed at, even if it is 0.1 seconds slower than the old M135i.

The car’s grip, handling and chassis poise are more than capable of handling the performance. Any driver will feel comfortable and secure at speed even in wet weather. Although the default drive is to the front wheels, a Haldex clutch transfers up to 50 per cent drive to the rear when the front wheels begin to slip.

Enhancing the driver experience is a classy and stylish interior. Some of the materials used on the door and dashboard are made from recycled materials. There is no leather upholstery in sight.

The dashboard comes with a curved digital screen that stretches from the edge of the driver’s door to the centre console. It is split into two with a 10.25-inch driver instrument display and a 10.7-inch touchscreen. There is no iDrive rotary control on the centre console, which was on the previous-generation model.

It seems BMW has decided that its only performance hatchback should be more suave and upmarket, rather than being raw and raucous. As it stands, the M135 is somewhere in the middle of the pack among comparable offerings from the likes of Audi, Mercedes-AMG and Volkswagen.

BMW M135 xDrive

Price: From $315,000 with certificate of entitlement
Engine: 1998cc, 16-valve, inline-4, turbo
Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch with paddle shift
Power: 300hp at 5,750-6,000rpm (317hp for Singapore)
Torque: 400Nm at 2,000-4,500rpm
0-100kmh: 4.9 seconds
Top speed: 250kmh
Fuel consumption: 7.6 to 8.1 litres/100km
Agent: Eurokars Automobiles and Performance Motors

Comparable considerations

Audi S3

The Audi has more power and torque – 333hp and 420Nm – than the M135. It is also quicker – by 0.2 seconds – to get to 100kmh. Interestingly, the latest S3 does not have a conventional differential in the rear, but uses left and right multi-plate clutch packs to distribute torque to the rear wheels. It makes the S3 feel a little more rear-biased and hence more fun to drive, especially in the wet. The model is currently not available in Singapore.

Mercedes-AMG A35 4Matic

A more closely matched rival to the BMW, the Mercedes-AMG A35 has 306hp and 400Nm of torque. This generation of the A-class hatchback may have been around since 2018, but it still impresses with its thoroughly stylish interior, clever voice-activated user interface and sharp handling traits. The A35 is as quick to 100kmh as the Audi S3, but is more expensive than the BMW at $363,888 with certificate of entitlement (COE).

Volkswagen Golf R

The Volkswagen Golf R is a close proxy to the mechanically similar Audi S3, including the clever all-wheel-drive set-up. With 320hp and 420Nm of torque, it has more oomph than the BMW, even if it is slightly behind the Audi’s 333hp. However, at $329,900 with COE, the VW is more expensive than the BMW. It does make you wonder if the less powerful, front-wheel-drive Golf GTI, which costs $50,000 less, is good enough.