In the eyes of many enthusiasts, modern performance cars, especially those from the so-called premium brands, have lost the rawness that made their predecessors so appealing. Dont misunderstand the latest M cars from BMW and the RS models from Audi are excellent machines, but because they all have to also play a luxury role to a degree, their performance and thrills are delivered in a cushioned manner. What many hardcore fans want is a vehicle that has, for lack of a better description chest hair a car that places a priority on edgy handling, driver feedback, adjustability and thrills, as opposed to balanced dynamics, refinement and frills. Enter the BMW 135i Coupe
Pumped up muscles for BMW 135i Coupe
In hatchback guise the BMW 1 Series is far from pretty, but the addition of a stubby rear deck and altered roofline have transformed it into quite a muscular-looking compact coupe. This BMW 135i Coupe model further benefits from a lowered suspension and wide 18-inch wheels to give it an even more aggressive appearance. If youre still in doubt about its performance credentials, also note the two large exhaust outlets and the M aerodynamic package that come as standard. As one onlooker commented, its racy looks, make you want to go burn rubber immediately.
Indeed. In some ways the cabin is a bit of a disappointment. Yes, it gets a very nice thick-rimmed steering wheel and the seats are superb, but theres little to remind you that this is indeed quite a special little machine. Perhaps BMW is saving something for a future, full-fat M-division 1 Series Still, quality levels are high, even though the plastics do not look particularly convincing at first glace. As youd expect from a compact coupe based on an already compromised hatchback, the cabin is not exactly spacious. Things are fine in front, where theres plenty of head-, shoulder and legroom, but at the rear its strictly tailored for two (very short) people. The boot, however, is surprisingly spacious and can accommodate 330-litres of luggage not that this is particularly important for the target customer of this specific model.
Perhaps to keep the cars weight down (1 560 kg), BMW has been pretty stingy in terms of standard features. The BMW 135i Coupe features air-conditioning, front electric windows, a radio/CD system and six airbags, but thats about it. The seats are manually adjustable and you pay extra for navigation etc.
Phenomenal Engine
The BMW 135i Coupe is powered by the same twin-turbocharged, 3,0-litre six-cylinder engine that performs such magic in the 335i. It delivers 225 kW and a glorious 400 Nm of torque from only 1 300 rpm. Youd expect that the much smaller BMW 135i Coupe should therefore be significantly faster, but interestingly enough the 1 Series is not much lighter. What plays to its advantage, however, is its excellent weight distribution and greater rigidity. Shifting through a racy six-speed manual gearbox that feels incredibly robust, the 135i can blast to 100 km/h in 5,3 seconds fast enough to give some far more expensive sports cars a serious fright. Impressively, the engine is not only about top-end power. Theres virtually no lag, with the double turbocharger set-up used to even out the power curve. Oh, and if you drive with some restraint which, admittedly, is not easy you can average a sub 10 L/100 km fuel consumption. So far, so good. And now it gets even better
The 1-Series Coupe is already superb in the dynamic stakes but this BMW 135i Coupe takes it to an all new level. In fact, in its edginess and driver involvement this car reminds of the 325i and 325iS road racers of the past. Of course, the BMW 135i Coupe features dynamic traction control (DTC) and also an electronic stability system, but even with these activated, it feels far livelier than less-powerful versions. With the electronic nanny turning a blind eye, its a very serious adrenaline booster, because the rear end can be made to break traction very easily.
For the experienced driver, however, this is not a concern, but a pleasure. The steering feel is excellent and the weighting ever so slightly on the heavy side (preferred that way by most driving enthusiasts). Similarly, the clutch also requires strong pressure and the gearlever a determined hand. All of this combines to engage the driver in the action. It is seriously addictive fun to steer this little charger over a twisty stretch of road, each gearshift followed by a strong push in the back as the BMW 135i Coupe hurls itself at the horizon.
BMW 135i Coupe – Verdict
With the 135i Coupe BMW has rekindled memories of performance stars from the 80s and 90s. In fact, the highest praise we can give it is that it encroaches on M-division levels of raw entertainment. For the hardcore driving enthusiast, the cars adjustability, agility and responsiveness will be hard to resist, especially as such levels of interactivity usually is accompanied by a much higher price tag. On the other hand, less experienced drivers can still have a lot of fun while still operating with a safety net (ESP) in place. It doesnt get much better than this.
We like:
Muscular looks
Excellent engine
Grip and poise
Entertaining dynamics
We dont like:
Quite pricey
Practicality
Cabin doesnt feel very special
Fast Facts:
Engine: 3,0-litre, six-cylinder, turbopetrol
Power: 225 kW @ 6 000 rpm
Torque: 400 Nm @ 1 300 rpm
Transmission: Six-speed manual
Wheels: 18-inch alloy
Top speed: 250 km/h 0-100 km/h: 5,3 seconds
Fuel economy: 9,6 litres/100 km
Source: www.um.co.za
Also consider:
Mazda RX-8 6-speed: Often forgotten, but the RX-8 is a massively seductive (and unique) offering that backs its quirkiness with true ability. The rotary engine cant match the BMW 135i Coupe outputs and the performance isnt on par, but its a special experience nonetheless.
Audi TT 2,0 TFSI Coupe: OK, so the Audi cant match the BMW 135i Coupe in performance or entertainment abilities, but it does look very special and is beautifully built. If cruising and looking good are the main priorities, few cars do it better than the TT.
Chevrolet Lumina 6,0 V8 SS: Slightly more expensive than the BMW 135i Coupe, but if its entertainment youre after, it doesnt often get delivered in bigger doses than with this brawny Aussie. Not nearly as sophisticated (nor as good, to be frank), but massive fun.
