BMW’s new 1 Series is FWD – but the new M135i gets xDrive 4WD

The new BMW 1 Series arrives, and this time it’s gone front-wheel-drive. But the new M135i comes with 4WD to take on the VW Golf R.

BMW has said in the past that they don’t think moving the new 1 Series – revealed today – to a FWD platform – shared with the 2 Series and MINI – will have any impact on sales. 

But they clearly still realise a performance 1 Series won’t float too many BMW buyers’ boats if it too has FWD, so the range-topping M135i comes withe BMW’s xDrive 4WD setup.

Kicking off the core FWD 1 Series range is the petrol 118i, followed by a trio of diesels – 116d, 118d and a 120d which also gets xDrive – and a choice of SE, Sport and M Sport trim levels.

The lowly models come with a six-speed manual as standard, but the 4WD xDrive models – the 120d and M135i – get an eight-speed auto with flappy paddles.

BMW have fitted the M135i with a 2.0 litre twin-turbo this time around instead of the old model’s 3.0 litre, with 302bhp and 332lb/ft of torque, but it still manages a credible 0-62mph of 4.8 seconds (down by 0.2s on the current model), enough to match the most powerful VW Golf R.

The M135i also comes with launch control, cosmetic titivations to make it appear more aggressive, a set of sports seats and options like HUD and panoramic roof on the list.

Sales of the new BMW 1 Series kick off in September, with prices starting at £24,430 for the 118i, rising to £36,430 for the M135i.