BMW M135i xDrive: transverse

J-C Etter

6 years ago

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:

	M135i xDrive F40	M140i xDrive F20
Length	4319	4324
Width	1799	1765
Height	1434	1411
Wheelbase	2670	2690
Trunk	380–1200	360–1200

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.

The other powertrains available at launch on the new F40 1-series are:
– 118i: L3 1499 cm3 turbo, M6 or DCT7, 220 Nm, 140 hp, 5.0-5.7 L/100km, 0-100 8.5s
– 116d: L3 1496 cm3 turbodiesel, M6 or DCT7, 270 Nm, 116 hp, 3.8-4.2 L/100km, 0-100 10.1s
– 118d: L4 1995 cm3 turbodiesel, M6 or A8, 350 Nm, 150 hp, 4.1-4.4 L/100km, 0-100 8.4s
– 120d xDrive: L4 1995 cm3 turbodiesel, M6 ou A8, 400 Nm, 190 hp, 4.5-4.7 L/100km, 0-100 7.0s

The 116d engine is already compliant with the upcoming Euro 6d emission standards while the 118d and 120d xDrive 4 cylinder engines are certified for the current Euro 6d-Temp standard. These 4 cylinder turbodiesel engines adopt sequential turbocharging. The two turbochargers have different sizes to complement each other through the rev range.

A 9.2″ color head-up display is available for the first time in the 1-series, so is the Live Cockpit LCD instrument display. The Comfort Access option allows to use the NFC function of a Samsung Galaxy phone running Android 8.0 as a key, but ironically, BMW still does not provide for the Android Auto system. A panoramic glass roof with a 0.7 m2 surface is also available for the first time in the 1-series options list.