The BMW 1 Series arrived for the 2012 model year, and the following year, the wild M135i hatch made its debut, giving Bimmer the hot hatchback that Europeans crave so much. As we head into the 2015 model year in Europe – they are one model year behind us – the M135i is receiving a slight update that gives it cues similar to the rest of the BMW->ke178 lineup. On top of its new looks, the 2015 M135i also gets a slight power bump and the option to send the ponies to all four wheels.

With this refresh, it is obvious that BMW is looking to do more than simply make the M135i look like the rest of its lineup. The extra power and the addition of all-wheel drive is a sign that Bimmer is playing keeping up with the Joneses with the A45 AMG 4MATIC and the upcoming Audi RS3, both of which feature all-wheel drive and quicker acceleration times. So, can the extra power and xDrive all-wheel drive close the gap enough to allow the Bimmer hatch to keep pace with the its Mercedes->ke187 and Audi->ke14 competitors?

Click "Continue Reading" to read my full review of the 2015 M135i to find out.

bmw-m135i

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: bmw-m135i
Pros
Cons

2015 BMW M135i

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2015 BMW M135i
  • Segment: Array
  • Engine/Motor: inline-6
  • Horsepower: 326
  • Torque: 332
  • Transmission: Six-Speed Manual
Pros
Cons

Exterior

The M135i remains very much recognizable, but for the 2015 model year, Bimmer has made a few tweaks to the outside. First up on the list of changes is a revised grille that is now wider and bolder, and updated air intakes to add a tad more sportiness. Then to help increase the classy look and to pull it in line with the rest of its lineup, BMW widened the headlights and gave them a flatter geometry. Also included in these new headlights are LED daytime running lights, and optional full-LED lighting.

On the rear, BMW has given the taillights on the M135i – and the entire 1 Series hatch lineup – the brand’s signature L-shaped design to round out the exterior modifications.

The M135i comes with tons of sporty standard features, like the 18-inch, double-spoke M lightweight wheels, a black-chrome exhaust tip, and an aggressive rear diffuser. Once again, the peppy M135i is available in three- and five-door versions, giving buyers the option of shaving two doors for a sportier look or keeping the two doors for easier rear-seat access.

2015 vs. 2015

Exterior Dimensions

Length x Width x Height (MM)

4324 x 1765 x 1411

Wheelbase (MM)

2690

Track Front/Rear (MM)

1516 / 1534

Curb Weight DIN/EU (KG)

1430 / 1505 ; 1520 / 1595 (xDrive)


Interior

Interior changes are a little less noticeable on the 2015 M135i, as they are limited to just an updated upper center console, with new controls for the radio and climate control.

Included as standard on the M135i are sliding armrests, dual-zone climate control, M135i sill plates, an M leather steering wheel, sports seats, M-design interior trim, an M gear switch, a leather-wrapped handbrake, an anthracite-colored, BMW Individual headliner, a driver-side knee pad, an M footrest, and a special lighting package.

Additionally, just in case the acceleration and handling doesn’t constantly remind you that this is no normal 1 Series, an “M135i” badge in the instrument cluster is there to serve as a reminder. Also available is a 12-speaker, 360-watt Harman Kardon audio system.

Drivetrain

In the engine compartment of the M135i is a 3.0-liter inline-six that cranks out 326 horsepower between 5,800 and 6,000 rpm, and 450 Nm of torque between 1,300 and 4,500 rpm. That is an increase of 6 horsepower over the 2014 model, while torque remains unchanged.

In 2015, the M135i is available with rear- or all-wheel drive – the latter is a new option for 2015. The rear-driven model can hit 62 mph in 5.1 seconds with the standard six-speed manual transmission and 4.9 seconds with the optional eight-speed Steptronic automatic. With xDrive all-wheel drive, which comes only with the auto transmission, the sprint time drops to a scant 4.7 seconds. Top speed is 250 km/h across the board.

Fuel economy for the M135i is decent, but not stellar for the European cycle. The base model with the six-cog manual is rated at 10.9 l/100 km in the city, 6.4 l/100 km on the highway and 8 l/100 km combined, while the auto transmission improves those ratings to 10.3, 5.9, and 7.5, respectively. With the newly added xDrive option the city rating is 10.8 l/100 km, while the highway rating is set at 6.1 l/100 km, and the combined rating is 7.8 l/100 km. The CO2 ratings are 188 g/km with the manual transmission, 175 g/km with the auto transmission, and 182 g/km with xDrive.

Drivetrain Specifications

Engine

3.0-liter I-6 TwinPower Turbo

Output (HP @ RPM

326 @ 5800-6000

Torque (Nm @ RPM)

450 @ 1300-4500

Acceleration (0-100 KM/H)

5.1 Sec (Manual) ; 4.9 Sec (Auto) ; 4.7 Sec (xDrive)

Top Speed

250 KM/H

Fuel Economy City/Highway/Combined (L/100 KM)

10.9 / 6.4 / 8 (Manual) ; 10.3 / 5.9 / 7.5 (Auto) ; 10.8 / 6.1 / 7.8 (xDrive)

CO2 Emissions (g/100 km)

188 (Manual) ; 175 (Auto) ; 182 (xDrive)


Prices

The updated M135i starts from £32,010 (the equivalent of around $46,710) in the U.K. for the 2016 model year, a £2,430 (around $3,550) premium over the outgoing hatchback. For that amount you get the three-door version with the manual transmission. For the automatic variant, the sticker is set at £33,500 (around $48,860). Moving over to the five-door M135i, the manual fetches £32,540 (about $47,480) before options, while the automatic retails from £34,030 (around $49,660).

The M135i is not offered in the United States, where BMW doesn't sell the 1 Series.

Competition

Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG 4MATIC

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Another hot-hatch that is not available here in the U.S. is the A45 from the crazy folks at Mercedes-AMG. This rocket on wheels ships 360 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 450 Nm of torque between 2,250 and 5,000 rpm through an AMG Speedshift, seven-speed dual-clutch transmission on its way to all four wheels. This allows the hot hatch to hit 100 km/h in 4.6 seconds and on to a top speed of 155 mph. While the A45 AMG is a tad quicker than the M135i xDrive, its starting price of £38,195 (about $55,730) is a good bit higher than the Bimmer's.

Find out more about the Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG here.

Audi RS3 Sportback

Though it still has yet to hit the market, the Audi RS3 Sportback has both BMW and Mercedes checking their rearview mirrors. With a 2.5-liter TFSI five-cylinder engine that packs 367 horsepower and 465 Nm of torque, the RS3 Sportback has the rule of the German hot-hatch roost. The power heads through a seven-speed, S tronic transmission on its way to all four wheels. This setup allows the Audi hot-hatch to hit 100 km/h in an exhilarating 4.3 seconds on its way to a limited top speed of 250 km/h – Audi says that it can remove the limiter and the RS3 will hit 280 km/h. In addition to being insanely fast, the RS3 Sportback can also turn in fuel consumption ratings of just 8.1 l/100 km and just 189 grams of CO2 per km.

Read more about the Audi RS3 Sportback here.

Conclusion

The M135i was always an awesome rig, and the updates Bimmer made are just enough to keep it fresh for now. The power boost was a nice addition, and the xDrive all-wheel-drive system was freaking genius. However, with the A45 AMG outmuscling it, and the upcoming RS3 making both the A45 AMG and the M135i look like normal grocery getters, BMW needs to work quickly on retooling its hot-hatch to keep pace.