Designed to be different
If Ralph or Giorgio or Tommy or Hugo – or any of the iconic clothes designers of our time – were to put their shirt on a car, then this might just be the one, writes Paul Agnew. Photography: Roger Moore
Sorry, perhaps that should be the ‘1’. For anyone with an eye for design would be delighted to be responsible for the new BMW 1 Series and, in particular, the racy, raunchy, road-hugging, revolutionary BMW M135i xDrive.
This turbo-charged, eye-catching, all-wheel drive supercar is so quick off the mark it almost takes you by surprise and the fun just goes on and on.
Red hot and brimming with attitude, this is a hatchback like no other – a compact giant capable of more power than any other four-cylinder vehicle in the history of BMW.
One international car reviewer reckoned it, “‘generates enough traction to make your hair fall out.”
Having quickly checked in the mirror for any obvious and unwelcome bald patches, I can, thankfully, discount that theory, but it is a point well-made, nonetheless. If you want thrills from your day-to-day driving, then look no further.
This is seat-of-your-pants motoring with great looks, personality and features, including one of the most advanced communication packages ever seen in a small to medium-size car.
A 2.0-litre petrol engine delivers a thumping 306bhp, enough to fire the BMW M135i from 0-62mph in just 4.8 secs and a top speed of 155mph.
Quick with a capital Q. It also comes with performance optimising elements such as a high-performance cooling package, M Sport braking system and M135i optimised M Steering.
Put your foot to the floor if you dare and the intelligent control logic system will send anything up to 50 per cent of the torque to the rear axle.
Milliseconds later, the xDrive system kicks in and becomes four-wheel drive.
For a car capable of monster performance, the fuel consumption and emissions are impressive, 39.8 – 41.5 mpg on the combined cycle and emissions of just 162 – 155 grams of CO2 per kilometre.
An eight-speed sport automatic transmission with electronic selector lever adds further to the feeling of oomph (that’s slang for power incidentally, not no-miles-an-hour!)
Standard specification for the BMW M135i xDrive includes the M Sport steering wheel and new M Seats with Alcantara upholstery. This upholstery variant is enhanced with special BMW M piping and contrast blue stitching.
Customers can order BMW M Sport seats featuring an integral head restraint and extendable seat cushion. These are also available with upholstery in Trigon cloth and Alcantara, as well as Dakota leather in black and magma red.
It is the only model variant to feature the BMW kidney grille in a distinctive mesh design and its surround and three-dimensional elements come in cerium grey.
With double-spoke 19” alloys and LED headlights it looks better than smart; inviting to driver and passenger alike. You know from first sight that you are going to get on famously and the only real disappointment is arriving at your destination.
All the latest technology tricks and treats are inside too with Live Cockpit Professional, comprising 10.25” Control Display with Touch Function and BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant.
Available for the first time on BMW 1 Series, the Connected Drive Package Professional offers Apple CarPlay, Concierge Services, Connected Parking and Real-Time Traffic Information.
Did I mention Microsoft Office 365? Well, that’s there too to synchronise emails, contacts and calendar entries, plus Skype for business calls with just a single click.
In short, it means you are more connected than ever before and the combination of the two Professionals ensures that you can count on full support across any number of situations, simply just by opening your mouth and asking!
The talented designers have done a terrific job, but who is this little beauty of a Sports Hatch likely to appeal to the most?
Well, I don’t think age or gender really matter.
This is for people who like their cars to look and feel great and who don’t want to hang around. People with taste, style and a desire to stay out in front. People for whom time spent behind a steering well is a sheer pleasure not a basic means to an end.
Obvious though it may sound, this is the ‘1’ for anyone who enjoys – really enjoys – driving.
Bowker BMW
Channel Way, Docklands
Preston PR2 2YA
01772 769976
www.bowkermotorgroup.co.uk
