2020 BMW M135i xDrive pricing and specification revealed

The all-new BMW 1 Series has reached Australian shores.

Two grades will be offered initially, the 118i that we’re not that fussed with and the M135i xDrive which we most definitely are.

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It’s the first time the 1 Series has been offered with all-wheel drive in Australia and the M135i launches into battle against the soon-to-arrive Mercedes-AMG A35 and soon-to-depart Audi S3, though a new one will arrive sometime in 2020.

Pricing starts from $63,990, a $4000 increase over the outgoing M140i, but BMW’s new hot hatch is a very different beast, trading its 250kW/500Nm 3.0-litre turbocharged straight six for a 225kW/450Nm 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder. Nevertheless, performance is brisk, 0-100km/h claimed to take 4.8sec.

BMW Australia has offset the price hike with extra equipment, the M135i coming standard with the M Sport package, which includes a leather steering wheel, anthracite headliner, M Sport brakes, steering and rear spoiler and upgraded electric seats including integrated headrests and greater side bolstering.

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Also standard are 19-inch wheels, keyless entry and go, parking assistant with rear-view camera, a 10.25-inch infotainment screen with one-year of free Apple CarPlay, wireless smartphone charging, a 9.2-inch head-up display, leather upholstery, adaptive LED headlights with high-beam assist and a 16-speaker 464-Watt harmon kardon stereo system.

Option packages include the $2900 Enhancement package (metallic paint, panoramic glass roof, active cruise control), $923 Comfort Package (front seat heating and lumbar support; heated steering wheels) and $1200 Convenience Package (auto tailgate; luggage compartment package including storage net; through-loading system).

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As you’d expect, active safety is well catered-for, the M135i packing automatic emergency braking, lane departure and lane change warning, rear cross-traffic alert and collision prevention and BMW’s new ‘ARB’ stability control system, lifted from the i3, which is claimed to control wheel slip 10 times faster than a traditional system.

Keep your eyes peeled for a first local review of the new BMW M135i xDrive.