BMW 140i ups rear-drive fun

The last of the rear-drive BMW 1-Series hatchbacks will get a 250kW send-off in the form of the new M140i, due in the fourth quarter of 2016.

Part of a mild model update to the 1- and 2- Series ranges, the M140i replaces the BMW M135i and brings an extra 10kW and 50Nm from the revised 3.0-litre turbocharged inline six-cylinder and now produces 250kW and 500Nm. The updated engine and new nomenclature also stretches to the soon-to-arrive M240i coupe and convertible.

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The benchmark 0-100km/h dash drops from 4.9 seconds to 4.6 seconds, too, making it a more fiery match for the Audi S3 and Mercedes-AMG A45 it competes with.

BMW has also thrown more equipment at the M140i – including the previously optional Harman Kardon sound system and heated leather seats – as part of a $2000 price rise, to $64,900.

Other models in the 1- and 2-Series ranges also benefit from minor engine tweaks, although the most affordable 118i and 118d are unchanged.

But the 120i and 220i, for example, get another 5kW and 20Nm, for 130kW and 250Nm in total.

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The 125i has also jumped to 165kW of power, up from 160kW.

Fuel use has also dropped between 4 and 9 percent for models that have received more power.

Prices are unchanged for the 118i, 118d, 120i and 125i.

The equivalent 2-Series models will also get the equivalent engine updates, albeit slightly later than the 1-Series.