#1712, 16 November 2017, page 48.

Model BMW M140i Engine 2998cc 6cyl, dohc, 24v, turbo Max power 250kW @ 5500rpm Max torque 500Nm @ 1520-4500rpm Transmission 8-speed automatic Weight 1475kg 0-100km/h 4.6sec (claimed) Economy 7.1L /100km Price $59,990 On sale Now

Silken six-pot grunt, rear-drive character, practicality, gearboxes PLUS & Awkward long-nosee proportions; tyre roar; ageing interior MINUS BMW M140i An endangered six-pot rear-driver to savour

HIGH five to you, BMW, for VW Golf R and Renault Megane models, with less off-centreentre Kitted upup FIRST sticking with the M140i RS, and away from the Audi S3 sneeze factor. Progressive turn-in BMW iDrive6 infotainment AUSSIE and giving us a little Sportback. gives good front-end bite, but the appears in the 1 Series DRIVE longer to enjoy the only Recent revisions introduce long-nosed hatch does succumb to having quickly trickled down from the seventh- turbocharged six-cylinder BMW’s slicker iDrive6 app- understeer with sharp mid-corner gen 5 Series. It brings live and rear-wheel drive hot style infotainment interface adjustments. content, improved voice hatch in a segment dominated by and a reworked styling package Standard adaptive dampers control and a customisable front- and all-wheel drive five- for all 1 and 2 Series variants. cope well in most conditions, look and feel now accessible doors with boosted four-pots. Mechanically, the M140i is though the suspension would via touchscreen in 125i and For 2018, the second-gen 1 unchanged, but that’s not cause benefit from a greater range M140i models. Stepping Series has copped a minor update for concern. of travel. As it is, with limited up to the M140i from the that will likely be its last hurrah. Up front the staggeringly good amplitude, the back-end gets volume-selling 125i is a $10K Scuttlebutt suggests the next- B58 3.0-litre inline six remains, skittish over rising and falling proposition that nets black 18-inch alloys, dynamic gen (arriving 2019) will fall into generating 250kW and 500Nm – road imperfections as the rear dampers, adaptive LED line with its contemporaries more torque than the pedigree wheels struggle for grip under headlights, keyless entry and by sharing transverse UKL BMW M2. It pairs seamlessly with heavy throttle. start (dubbed BMW Comfort underpinnings with the BMW X1 an eight-speed torque converter That rear-driven characteristic Access), leather upholstery, and 2 Series Active Tourer. auto (or six-speed manual) and means there’s more to manage electric seats and a Harman What does that mean? Rear- it’s this purring powertrain that at the limit in the M140i. It’s an Kardon stereo. All that and a drive is on its way out. So now takes centre stage in the M140i. extra degree of difficulty for fans six-cylinder centrepiece. is the time to relish this petite Burly acceleration and a vast of point-and-click hot hatches like performer’s platform purity. power band launch it to 100km/h the VW Golf R, but the ultimate To make it easier BMW has in 4.6sec, crooning a velvety note thrills offered by the M140i are clipped the M140i’s price point by right up to redline. unique to it. It’s an entertaining almost $5000 to scrape in under It’s a competent handler, too. performer that retains a liveable, $60K for the first time. Munich The surefooted M140i’s slightly docile side. Enjoy its point of hopes to lure buyers up out of artificial steering is more difference while you still can. mainstream hot hatches like the immediate than lower 1 series RYAN LEWIS