There's lots of big news coming out of BMW this year. Obviously, the all new M3 fits nicely into that category. However, I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that the vehicle which I tested this week will have a far greater impact on the Canadian market.
Yes, the new 1-Series which recently hit the streets may not have all the boasting rights of its big brother, the M3, but trust me, when this new puppy is fitted with the 3.0L twin-turbo motor and the available M package, it turns into a bit of a Jack Russell Terrier. Ask anyone who's encountered one of those little lovelies and they will happily back me up when I say that those little dogs aren't afraid of anything, and will eagerly go snapping at the heels of a mighty Rottweiler.
Ok, fair enough, the new M3 has the edge in terms of size and certainly power, but don't let that fool you for a moment. The new 135i coupe could certainly give BMW's Rotti a nip or two to remember.
I'm not joking here. In fact, by putting this much power in a 1-Series, I believe that BMW is pretty much sitting up and begging for the question, "Why isn't there an M tag on its collar?"!
What an engine
Seriously, the 3.0L DOHC 24V twin-turbo motor which, by the way, for the second year in succession, has been named an International Engine of the Year, is literally in a class of its own.
An amazing 300 hp comes out of that now-famous powerhouse, which is then fed through one of the best six-speed manual transmissions that I have ever encountered, and finally ends up at the correct end of the vehicle, the rear!
0 to 100 km/h comes up in approximately 5.4 seconds, and although some might say that there are quicker cars out there, the sleek stature of the 1-Series makes this feel much quicker. In fact, in that sense, I'd equate the 135i in many ways to the Mini Cooper S of the BMW lineup. Funny that, considering both are produced by the same company.
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| BMW's timed release of the new 1-Series couldn't be better. |
Yes, the new 1-Series which recently hit the streets may not have all the boasting rights of its big brother, the M3, but trust me, when this new puppy is fitted with the 3.0L twin-turbo motor and the available M package, it turns into a bit of a Jack Russell Terrier. Ask anyone who's encountered one of those little lovelies and they will happily back me up when I say that those little dogs aren't afraid of anything, and will eagerly go snapping at the heels of a mighty Rottweiler.
Ok, fair enough, the new M3 has the edge in terms of size and certainly power, but don't let that fool you for a moment. The new 135i coupe could certainly give BMW's Rotti a nip or two to remember.
I'm not joking here. In fact, by putting this much power in a 1-Series, I believe that BMW is pretty much sitting up and begging for the question, "Why isn't there an M tag on its collar?"!
What an engine
Seriously, the 3.0L DOHC 24V twin-turbo motor which, by the way, for the second year in succession, has been named an International Engine of the Year, is literally in a class of its own.
An amazing 300 hp comes out of that now-famous powerhouse, which is then fed through one of the best six-speed manual transmissions that I have ever encountered, and finally ends up at the correct end of the vehicle, the rear!
0 to 100 km/h comes up in approximately 5.4 seconds, and although some might say that there are quicker cars out there, the sleek stature of the 1-Series makes this feel much quicker. In fact, in that sense, I'd equate the 135i in many ways to the Mini Cooper S of the BMW lineup. Funny that, considering both are produced by the same company.
 |
| The 3.0L DOHC 24V twin-turbo motor is literally in a class of its own. |