This is how some Malaysians have been spending their money these past months. 30 units of the all new BMW M135i xDrive were sold in just one month after its official launch in Malaysia at its full selling price (less the government sales tax discount). At RM355,646.25, all BMW dealers nationwide had no reason to offer any additional discount to waiting customers.
Launched at the end of July 2020, this all new BMW 1 Series is the 3rd generation 1 Series locally as the M135i xDrive spec. This particular variant comes with BMW’s most powerful inline 4, the 2.0-litre B48A20. This motor outputs 302hp between 5,000 and 6,000 rpm and 450Nm of torque between 1,750 and 4,500 rpm. It takes just 4.8 seconds to go from 0-100km/h and has a top speed of 250km/h.
The third generation of the successful premium compact model draws back the curtain on the new BMW front-wheel-drive architecture, which fuses BMW’s signature driving pleasure and dynamic excellence with a significant increase in interior space.
This all new 1 Series features a shorter bonnet and significantly more space within a footprint almost identical to that of its predecessor. Almost 2.5 million examples of the BMW 1 Series have been produced in its first two generations. The third-generation model offers significantly more space than its predecessor with little change to its exterior footprint, thanks to the cutting-edge BMW front-wheel-drive architecture.
Passengers in the rear are the main beneficiaries, while a larger load compartment also results. Available as a five-door model only, the all-new BMW 1 Series is five millimetres shorter than its predecessor at 4,319 millimetres. In terms of width (now 1,799 millimetres), it has grown by 34 millimetres while its height (1,434 mm) has increased by 13 millimetres. At 2,670 millimetres, the wheelbase is 20 millimetres shorter than that of the second-generation model.
There have been a number of design changes including a new standard LED headlight arrangement, a more wedged shaped silhouette and a pronounced ‘shark nose’. At the front, the BMW kidney grille is larger and, for the first time in this model range, the kidneys merge in the middle.
Viewed from the side, the BMW M135i features a distinctive window graphic enhanced by two character lines. One runs below the door handles from the front wheels to the rear wings, while the other starts in the lower part of the front door before lifting towards the rear quarter. In addition, the greenhouse is elongated with the traditional Hofmeister Kink now incorporated into the C pillar.
The newly developed 2.0-litre unit under the bonnet of the M135i xDrive model is BMW Group’s most powerful four-cylinder petrol engine. It delivers 306hp with the help of BMW TwinPower Turbo technology and peak torque is 450Nm. It accelerates from zero to 62mph in 4.8 seconds, while top speed is limited to 155mph. The M135i xDrive returns 35.3-34.4mpg and emits 157-155g/km of CO2.
