BMW has added to the fire of our already red-hot hot hatchback market with the launch of the M135i
Priced from $68,400, the BMW M135i is at the top-end of the hot hatch field. The Car Showroom favourites in the five-door hot hatchback field are the Ford Focus ST at $38,290 and Volkswagen Golf R at $49,990 and our favourite three-door is the Renault Megane RS 265, priced from $42,640).
But the BMW M135i does have a significant advantage under the bonnet – two extra cylinders to be precise. Power comes from BMW’s turbocharged 3.0-litre in-line six with a race-developed dry sump lubrication system delivering 235kW of power at 5800rpm and peak torque of 450Nm from 1250rpm to 5000rpm.
Drive is to the rear wheels via either a six-speed manual transmission or BMW’s superb eight-speed automatic.
BMW says fuel consumption (combined cycle) for the M135i automatic is 7.5l/100kms and 8.0l/100kms for the manual.
The BMW M135i rides on M Performance suspension with Variable Sport Steering and M Sport brakes.
M double spoke 18-inch wheels look brilliant and the M135i runs the full M Sport aerodynamics package and Bi-Xenon headlights.
Inside are Dakota leather sports seats, anthracite roof liner and M leather sports steering wheel.
