Photo: BMW
After the ground-breaking E81 1 Series was pulled out of production, BMW decided to replace it with a controversial model, the F20. At first, its exterior design made lots of people turn away in anger, but some of us thought we could give it a try, like Auto Channel's Carey Russ who took an M135i for a test drive.
The car he drove wasn't fitted with every possible option in the universe, like we're used to. It had a manual 6-speed gearbox, heated front seats in leather upholstery and the Le Mans Blue Metallic paint. That was it and the price tag reached only $46,645 (€36,387).
The 3-liter turbocharged N55 engine with its 320 HP and 332 lb-ft (450 Nm) of torque proved to be very satisfying. It has a quick throttle response, a strong midrange and even stronger high-range. The M exhaust does wonders and makes you forget about the premium audio package you didn't get. Overall, the fuel consumption added to 21 mpg (11.2 l/100km) which is just shy of the 25 mpg (9.4 l/100km) advertised by BMW for highway usage.
The ride is quite rigid and keeps you on track, even in the tightest bends. The 50:50 weight distribution really does the trick and offers you a firm but not harsh, race-tuned feel, as it was the case with early M cars. The steering is precise and appropriately heavy so the car can be driven comfortably on long trips.
The 3-liter turbocharged N55 engine with its 320 HP and 332 lb-ft (450 Nm) of torque proved to be very satisfying. It has a quick throttle response, a strong midrange and even stronger high-range. The M exhaust does wonders and makes you forget about the premium audio package you didn't get. Overall, the fuel consumption added to 21 mpg (11.2 l/100km) which is just shy of the 25 mpg (9.4 l/100km) advertised by BMW for highway usage.
The ride is quite rigid and keeps you on track, even in the tightest bends. The 50:50 weight distribution really does the trick and offers you a firm but not harsh, race-tuned feel, as it was the case with early M cars. The steering is precise and appropriately heavy so the car can be driven comfortably on long trips.
Overall, the car is "another gem from BMW" according to Carey. Even though some people might still find its front fascia repugnant, the improvements done to the F20 make it a top choice for Coupe enthusiasts.
Via: TheAutoChannel.com
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