Performance Review: BMW 1 Series M135i F20 - [2012]

Figures & Specs Summary:

BMW 1 Series Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the BMW 1 Series M135i F20 is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2012. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2012 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse and the 2013 Lamborghini Veneno 6.5 V12.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 F20 in the same weight category as the 2023 Porsche Boxster Spyder RS 4.0 982 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 315 bhp (234 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 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T 440 7.2 V8 (234.2 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 209.3 bhp per ton and 220.5 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2012 1 Series competing with the 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T 440 7.2 V8 (234.2 bhp per ton) or the 2012 Mercedes G Class 65 AMG (234.1 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 5.00 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.2 secs, this made the BMW 1 Series M135i F20 as fast as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo (5.00 secs) the 2022 Honda Civic Type R 2.0 Turbo FL5 (5.00 secs) the 2022 Toyota Corolla GR 1.6 Turbo (5.00 secs) the or the 2020 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works GP (5.00 secs). This BMW 1 Series M135i F20 is also faster than the 2018 Alfa-Romeo Giulia Q4 2.0L Turbo (5.10 secs) the 2018 Alfa-Romeo Giulia Ti 2.0 Turbo (5.10 secs) the 2017 Dodge Charger Daytona 5.7 V8 370 (5.10 secs) the and the 2017 Audi A6 3.0T Competition (5.10 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 1 Series and the 1997 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra 4.6 V8

When talking about the performance of the BMW 1 Series on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.76 secs @ 99.4 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1997 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra 4.6 V8 (13.72 secs), the 2018 BMW X7 xDrive 50i 4.4 V8 Turbo (13.72 secs), and the 2012 Renault Megane RenaultSport 2.0T 265 Cup (13.73 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2012 version of the BMW 1 Series M135i F20 has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 2012 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 2012 BMW 1 Series M135i F20 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:

2012 1 Series Rivals List.

A Brief History of BMW

Car Comparison