Many people tend to forget that BMW has a hot hatch of its own that goes against the Mercedes-AMG A45 and Audi RS3 Sportback: the M135i, which was recently upgraded to the M140i.
It may not be as powerful as its two direct rivals, but the M135i had as much as 315 PS (311 hp / 232 kW) from a 3.0-liter inline-six, which was increased to 322 PS (317 hp / 236 kW) after 2015.
That’s before the M140i arrived a couple of years ago, with 335 PS (330 hp / 246 kW), and the ability to sprint to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.8 seconds with a six-speed manual gearbox, or 4.6 seconds with an eight-speed auto. As for the xDrive all-wheel drive model, this is even faster, requiring 4.4sec from 0 to 100 km/h (0-62 mph).
Also Watch: Which Is The Fastest Super Hot Hatch? RS3 vs AMG A45 vs Civic Type R vs Golf R vs Focus RS
On paper, the M135i cannot pose a threat to the modern M5. The latter comes with an M-tuned xDrive AWD system for the first time, has two extra cylinders and a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 that delivers 600 PS (592 hp / 441 kW). It goes from naught to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.4 seconds and maxes out at 305 km/h (189 mph).
At this point, you may be wondering what on Earth is a hot hatch has to do with a super saloon, and the answer is simple: the two went against each other in a quarter-mile drag race.
Moreover, the BMW M135i in question isn’t stock, as it’s said to benefit from as much as 570 PS (562 hp / 419 kW), courtesy of Sneaky Tuning. But is that enough to beat the new, all-singing, all-dancing M5? Find out below.