Hot hatch fans are in for some good news as BMW has announced a series of updates to the M135i xDrive.
Most of the changes occur underneath the skin as the camber values for the front wheels have been increased to “optimize absorption of lateral forces when powering through corners”. The model also benefits from new suspension mounts as well as retuned spring and dampers.
While the changes sound relatively minor, BMW says they result in a “significant improvement in roll behavior in corners, which has a further beneficial effect on steering feel when the car’s sporting abilities are put to the test.” The automaker also noted “optimized traction enables drivers to explore the car’s performance limits with confidence, especially when cornering at extremely high speeds.”
Also Read: The New BMW 1-Series Is FWD And Looks Just Like The X2
Additional changes are limited, but the car has a revised soundtrack thanks to a dual exhaust system with reduced backpressure. This “conveys the signature four-cylinder engine note of a BMW M model to those on board more authentically than ever.” That being said, the sound is amplified by interior speakers so it’s not exactly genuine.
Styling changes are barely worth mentioning, but the hatch receives a selection of “particularly striking paint finishes” including some from BMW Individual. Among them are non-metallic Sao Paulo Yellow as well as Frozen Orange and Frozen Pure Grey.
Power comes from a familiar turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that develops 302 hp (225 kW / 306 PS) and 332 lb-ft (450 Nm) of torque. It’s connected to an eight-speed automatic transmission, which is paired to an all-wheel drive system. This setup should enable the car to run from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in 4.8 seconds, before hitting a top speed of 155 mph (250 km/h).
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