Performance Review: BMW 1 Series M135i - [2015]

Figures & Specs Summary:

BMW 1 Series Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the BMW 1 Series M135i is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2015. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2016 Bugatti Chiron 8.0 W16 Quad Turbo and the 2015 Koenigsegg Regera 5.0 V8 Turbo.This particular BMW 1 Series has a 2979cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 6 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St6's includes the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965

The 1 Series shares its Petrol St6 engine configuration with the likes of the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965 and the . If you're looking for other fast cars which share the 1 Series's Rear Wheel Drive, Hatchback combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1505 kgs (3317 lbs) this makes the BMW 1 Series M135i in the same weight category as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The BMW 1 Series shares the same bhp with the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp)

In terms of power the 2979cc 24V St6 engine produces 322 bhp (240 kW) @ 5800 rpm similar to the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp) or the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (300 bhp).

The Turbo St6 throws out 332 lb-ft (450.1 Nm) @ 1300 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Porsche Boxster Spyder RS 4.0 982 (332 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (310 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the BMW 1 Series you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2012 BMW 7 Series 760 Li (238.6 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the BMW 1 Series.

The BMW 1 Series has a Power to weight ratio of 213.9 bhp per ton and 220.5 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2015 1 Series competing with the 2012 BMW 7 Series 760 Li (238.6 bhp per ton) or the 2004 Pontiac GTO 6.0 V8 (238.5 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the BMW 1 Series generating around 220.5 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2004 TVR Cerbera 4.0 (245.4 lb-ft per ton) or the 2012 BMW X6 M50d E71 (245.3 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.10 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.3 secs, this made the BMW 1 Series M135i as fast as the 2018 Alfa-Romeo Giulia Ti 2.0 Turbo (5.10 secs) the 2018 Alfa-Romeo Giulia Q4 2.0L Turbo (5.10 secs) the 2017 Dodge Charger Daytona 5.7 V8 370 (5.10 secs) the or the 2017 Audi A6 3.0T Competition (5.10 secs). This BMW 1 Series M135i is also faster than the 2021 Honda Civic Type R 2.0 16V Limited Edition (5.20 secs) the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E AWD (5.20 secs) the 2018 Tesla Model 3 Mid Range (5.20 secs) the and the 2018 Bentley Bentayga Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (5.20 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 1 Series and the 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX S

When talking about the performance of the BMW 1 Series on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.66 secs @ 100.2 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX S (13.60 secs), the 2017 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (13.60 secs), and the 2008 Audi A3 S3 2.0T (13.61 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2015 version of the BMW 1 Series M135i has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 2015 1 Series equals the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2015 BMW 1 Series M135i then how about the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph), the 2022 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (166 mph), or the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 5.0 V8 (166 mph).

Related Links:

2015 1 Series Rivals List.

A Brief History of BMW

Car Comparison