Inspired by the BMW 2002, the 1-series redefines the entry-level luxury vehicle with typical BMW refinement and balanced performance.
The rear-wheel drive 135i is available as either a coupe or convertible. The 135i is powered by a turbo, 300-hp, 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine mated to either a six-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed double-clutch transmission with steering wheel paddle shifting. Standard safety features include six airbags on the coupe, four on the convertible,
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2012 BMW 135 News, Reviews and Awards
...the 135i has a tranny tunnel bulging into the footwells and crowding the gas pedal.
...it could be argued that the 135i is the purest BMW ? a smaller, lighter coupe, which harkens back to the 1970s cars that made the Ultimate Driving Machine a reality rather than just marketing schlock.
On the road, the power delivery of the turbo six is so smooth and relentless that it makes the 1 Series fast-very fast-but never furious.
Pocket rocket? More like musclecar.
Because the BMW 135i is essentially a scaled-down 335i, its ride, steering, and handling carry the same exemplary qualities as the larger car.
Anyone familiar with the interior layout of the current 3 Series would be hard pressed to tell the difference between the BMW 135i and the much larger, more expensive 335i.
Interior room suffers a bit, too, although hardly enough for a real convertible enthusiast to notice.
