BMW Malaysia welcomes two new additions into its local line up after officially launching both the new generation 1 Series hatchback and a new entry-level variant of its X1 crossover.
Here’s what you ought to know about both.
BMW M135i xDrive
Though available in various front-wheel-drive (FWD) forms, the Bavarian marque’s Malaysian arm have chosen instead to debut the all-new 1 Series hatch in its sportiest trimline currently available, that being the M135i xDrive.
Packing 306bhp and 450Nm from a 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo mill plus all-wheel-drive (AWD), this is a Bimmer hot hatch that’s ready to take the fight up against the VW Golf R and the recently launched Mercedes-AMG A35 Edition 1.
Said powertrain comes paired with an 8-speed automatic, allowing for 0-100kph in 4.8 seconds whilst enroute to its claimed 250kph V-Max. In other words, it’s almost – ALMOST – as quick as the aforementioned Merc hot hatch.
Both M Sport suspension and brakes, a clever tech called ARB technology (actuator contiguous wheel slip limitation), a Torsen diff, as well as Launch Control all add further to this hot hatch’s performance credentials.
On board, there’s a pair of racy sports seats and M Sport steering wheel – both finished in black leather – plus a matching M Sport seatbelt set present. Other notable kit equipped includes dual-zone automatic climate control, BMW’s new fully digital dash display and touchscreen infotainment unit, wireless charging pad, as well as a 16-speaker Harman Kardon hi-fi setup.
Loaded with power, performance and the BMW brand’s signature premium amenities, the new M135i xDrive retails locally from RM355,646.25 onwards sans insurance. As always, BMW’s 5-year unlimited mileage warranty and free scheduled service coverages are included in said price.
BMW X1 sDrive18i
Introduced alongside the aforementioned hot hatch too is a new variant of the brand’s X1 crossover – or SAV, as they’ve come to term it. Effectively, the new X1 sDrive18i now slot below the sporty-looking X1 sDrive20i M Sport the firm introduced prior.
The version of the X1 gets BMW’s 1.5-litre turbo 3cyl mill instead, delivering 140bhp and 220Nm to drive the front wheels via a 7-speed DCT box. 0-100kph takes a respectable 9.6 seconds whilst claimed fuel economy stands at a decent 6.3 litres/100km.
On board, this base X1 offering doesn’t differ too much from its pricier range-topping sDrive20i M Sport twin. It still boasts leather upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control, as well as both gloss black and ‘pearl chrome’ trimmings.
Where this crossover shines is at the back, by which me mean its boot.
There’s 505 litres as standard here, which is extendable to 1,550 litres with the second row seats folded. Crucially, the rear tailgate in this base offering still comes powered and equipped with contactless opening.
For added peace of mind, this base offering still comes with a sleuth of advanced active safety features as standard. Included in the bill are lane departure warning, forward collision warning and braking intervention, high-beam assistant, as well as a speed limit info function.
Best of all, this new ‘basic’ X1 also commands a much more reasonable RM208,368 (sans insurance) price tag – a little over RM17,000 less than the sDrive20i M Sport. Again, BMW’s five-year unlimited mileage warranty and free scheduled service coverages are included in said price tag.
2020 BMW M135i xDrive
2020 BMW X1 sDrive18i
