The unveiling of the new 1-series BMW.

The new BMW 1-series drops its longitudinal rear-wheel-drive platform to adopt a transverse layout with front wheel drive as a default. The six cylinder engines are therefore a thing of the past for the compact BMW, making way for efficient three and four cylinder engines. External dimensions do not change much though:

The attention of keen drivers will be naturally drawn to the new M135i xDrive. It inherits the same 1998 cm3 4 cylinder engine as the X2 M35i and MINI Clubman/Countryman JCW. Maximum torque is 450 Nm from 1750 to 4500 rpm, while power peaks at 306 hp from 4500 to 6250 t/min. Kerb weight drops by 15 kg to 1525 kg according to the DIN standard. The M135i is fitted with 18″ wheels as standard, 19″ is an option.

The 8 ratio Steptronic automatic gearbox sends torque to an xDrive all-wheel-drive transmission. Torque distribution can reach 50:50 when the center differential is locked. The front axle of the M135i xDrive also receives a Torsen self locking differential.

The M135i xDrive receives Active Sound Design (ASD) as standard equipment: this system amplifies and modulates engine sound to a sportier experience inside which does not translate into higher emissions outside. BMW claims a time of 4.8s to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h, 4.7s with the M Performance pack which will be available from November 2019. Normalized gas mileage comes in between 6.8 and 7.1 L/100km depending on tires, which translates into 155 to 162 g/km in CO2 emissions.

Satellite navigation data – if available – is used by the dual clutch transmission (DCT7) or automatic gearbox (A8) to optimize gear changes, for instance to hold a gear during a quick sequence of turns, to anticipate downshifts, and to apply the coasting or stop-start functions.