KUALA LUMPUR: BMW Malaysia has introduced the third-generation flagship M135i Drive (F40) which got its formal introduction in Malaysia together with the X1 sDrive18i.
Known unofficially as "The 1", this all-wheel-driven German premium hatchback will be made available at all authorised dealerships nationwide by July 28 while being priced on-the-road without insurance and SST at RM355,646.25.
Budding customers can book the M135i online at RM1,000 and be in the running to drive home a new BMW i8 Coupé.
New owners will receive the complete BMW Group Malaysia Premium Ownership experience which is a five-year unlimited mileage warranty with free scheduled service programme that's accompanied by BMW roadside assistance and accident hotline as well as gain access to the BMW Group Loyalty+ Mobile App and BMW Service Online before receiving a BMW Privileges Card.
For choice, there are five colour options that include Alpine White, Black Sapphire, Misano Blue, Mineral Grey and Melbourne Red.
Additionally, the cabin can be draped in either black leather ‘Dakota’ upholstery with black perforations or Magma Red Leather ‘Dakota’ upholstery with grey highlight and black perforations.
Compared to its predecessor, the M135i has grown in width (+34mm) and height (+13mm) to accord more knee and shoulder room.
Not to mention, with the use of BMW's front-wheel-drive architecture, luggage capacity sees an increase to 380 litres (+20 litres) or 1,200 litres with the rear 40:20:40 seats folded down.
New owners will receive the complete BMW Group Malaysia Premium Ownership experience which is a five-year unlimited mileage warranty with free scheduled service programme that's accompanied by BMW roadside assistance and accident hotline as well as gain access to the BMW Group Loyalty+ Mobile App and BMW Service Online before receiving a BMW Privileges Card.
Powering M135i is a 2.0-litre (1,998cc) turbocharged engine punching out 306hp from 5,000 to 6,250rpm and 450Nm of torque from 1,750 to 4,500rpm.
Mated to the engine is an eight-speed Steptronic Sport Transmission sending power to all four 19 x 8-inch V-spoke style 557 bi-colour M light-weight alloy wheels wearing 235/35 series tyres which hide the M Sport suspension while the blue M Sport brake system can be seen peeking through the wheels.
All that helps the M135i sprint from 0 to 100kph in 4.8 seconds and onwards to an electronically limited top speed of 250kph.
Externally, the M135i's kidney grille comes in Cerium Grey with a mesh-design rather than the classic vertical bars and has been merged in the middle for the first time for this model range.
Also in Cerium Grey are the front and side air inlets, exterior mirror caps and the 100mm exhaust tips.
The automatic and adaptive LED headlights with high-beam assistant now present themselves in a slanted design while the rear sports a pair of classic L-shaped three-dimensional two-part taillights and a more aggressive M rear spoiler.
During spirited drives, the M135i has been equipped with ARB technology (actuator continuous wheel slip limitation) – as seen in the all-electric BMW i3s, which redirects power to the rear wheels when necessary for a 50:50 power split between the front and rear axle. When cruising/crawling about, the power is predominantly sent to the front axle.
This is made possible by the slip control system positioned directly in the engine control unit, which results in a shorter signal path with engine output imperceptibly reduced as soon as it detects that the front wheels are slipping in order to cancel out understeer.
Also included is a newly developed Torsen limited-slip differential (with Launch Control) that's been integrated into the transmission to help optimise traction by distributing power to individual wheels when needed - functioning as a front differential that channels power to the wheel with the most traction in fast corners.
The cockpit is finished with an Anthracite headliner from BMW Individual, Illuminated Boston interior trim as well as M elements that adorn the sports seats, seat belts and leather steering wheel while the M135i designation is placed prominently on the front door sill finishers.
Staring back at the driver is the customizable 10.25-inch BMW Live Cockpit Professional instrument display that runs off the German carmaker's Operating System 7.0 that's also mirrored on the main high-resolution 10.25-inch touchscreen Control Display.
To round off the list of conveniences are powered front seats with driver-side memory function, dual-zone automatic climate controls, wireless charging and a 16-speaker Harman Kardon surround sound system that also amplifies the engine's actual sound via the Active Sound Design system.
Also included is the BMW Digital Key, Apple CarPlay, Remote Software Upgrade and the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant.
Assistance is offered via the BMW Personal CoPilot which features the Driving Assistant, Parking Assistant and the Reversing Assistant.
The Driving Assistant includes Lane Change Warning, Crossing Traffic Warning at the rear, Rear Collision Warning and Speed Limit Assist. It also includes Lane Departure Warning and Frontal Collision Warning with braking function.
The Parking Assistant is also available, along with the intuitive Active Park Distance Control.
The Reversing Assistant recalls the last 50 metres covered and is able to manoeuvre back the same way by taking over the wheel while the driver controls acceleration and braking.
“The BMW 1 Series has been at the forefront of premium compact driving standards for over a decade. The new sporty compact model, now combined with the iconic genes of BMW M, further exemplifies the dynamic, independent spirit of those who constantly innovate to achieve greater success – whether to inspire or be inspired," said BMW Group Malaysia managing director Harald Hoelzl.
For slightly more personalisation options, the M135i can be slapped with high gloss-black fittings that include front attachments (RM3,583.85), side skirts (RM1,815.10) and a more aggressive rear spoiler (RM5,033.25) while the side decal (RM839.80) takes on a frozen-black look.
