New BMW M135 xDrive Review: Slower than the old model?

Now in fourth-gen guise, BMW’s spicy 1 Series has lost six horses and a vowel from its name. But can a taut chassis and handsome styling redeem the popular hot hatch? Vicki Butler-Henderson finds out.

Let’s address the elephant in the room: yes, the new M135 is slower and less powerful than its predecessor — we have tightening emissions regulations to thank for that. However, as Vicki rightfully points out, it can still out-accelerate a Porsche Cayman. And, realistically speaking, you’re unlikely to notice those slight concessions in performance anyway. 

You will notice the new razor-sharp chassis, though. A combination of M-adaptive suspension, a relatively modest 1,600kg kerbweight, and a specially tuned xDrive system, offer a spry, agile handling balance. Then, to add a final degree of polish, standard Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 tyres anchor the Bimmer to the tarmac with a grippier resin compound which adapts to your driving style and the road surface. And, while Vicki isn’t a fan of the thick-rimmed M-sport steering wheel, she does enjoy the system’s communicative feel when cornering at the limit. 

It's the usual subjective affair when it comes to the styling — for what it’s worth, we think the new model is decidedly more handsome than before. Vicki’s a fan, too. From the pleasingly subtle Kidney grilles — never a given on a modern BMW — to the sharp-edged door mirrors and imposing rear diffuser, the DriverReviews host is fairly complimentary about the M135’s design. 

It's no eyesore on the inside, either. Various lighting accents, soft touch materials, and a spacious 380-litre boot, should make the hot 1 Series a pleasure to live with. However, Vicki does note that the ride can become a little choppy over rougher sections of tarmac, which might become grating on your daily commute.

Ultimately, though, the new M135’s success hinges on its ability to entertain on road and track. And entertain it does. But what’s Vicki’s final verdict? Does the sharper handling and refreshed styling make up for the performance deficit over the old car? Hit the video to find out.

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