Two years since it was received with lukewarm reviews, BMW has revealed an update for its M135i xDrive hot hatch attempting to close the gap with its superior hot hatchback rivals. With noticeable performance enhancements in M135i xDrive, the company has tried its best to catch up. After just three years on the market, the compact car has received a series of mechanical updates to make it even more pleasant during everyday driving and on the track. With the latest release, BMW has sharpened the track-inspired attributes of its four-cylinder top performance model for the premium compact segment.

BMW has released its latest M135i xDrive hot hatch with a series of chassis enhancements to make the car even more agile and dynamic.

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The Striking Design Highlights

The New BMW M135i xDrive
Via Motor1.com

The new model is a real head-turner as the progressive and sporty design of the new BMW M135i xDrive is sure to attract admiring glances. The extremely unique and remarkable-looking front with large air inlets, the sloping Adaptive LED headlights, and the striking double kidney grille in mesh design warrants a vivid first impression. The impressive 19-inch light-alloy wheels and the dynamic contours highlight the sporty disposition of the car. The two large 100-mm tailpipes in Cerium Grey and the wide rear apron with its diffuser look dominate the rear. The interior of the BMW M135i xDrive looks trendy with its M Sport seats. Plus, the large Panorama glass roof and the decorative trim finishers all come together to create a distinctly premium and dynamic ambiance.

The 2022 BMW M135i xDrive sports mechanical updates and some new striking colors to keep up with the competition. However, the changes are exclusively for the range-topping M135i xDrive trim, and there is no information available on whether BMW is also updating the rest of its 1-Series lineup. The latest model has yet to receive full-fledged M treatment, but the improvements are eye-catching. Several striking paint options range from G82 M4’s Sao Paulo Yellow to matt-finish Frozen Orange and Frozen Pure Grey. The compact sports car has been fitted with 18-inch M light-alloy wheels as standard, while there are 19-inch light-alloy wheels available in various designs.

An Optimized Engine And System Recalibrations

BMW M135i xDrive
Via Google/ SlashGear

The 2022 model introduces a new optimized engine note, but these changes are restricted to the cabin. The sound of the 2-liter turbocharged B48 four-cylinder is improved by artificial sound pumped through the speakers. The company claims it has made the sound more authentic and responsive to throttle fluctuations. The vehicle has been updated for 2022 with tuned dampers and springs, meticulous tweaks to the chassis, and an optimized sound to please fans of the company’s hot hatch offering. According to the carmaker, this comes after tuning track-inspired characteristics for the four-pot model.

To make the model sharper, the camber values for the front wheels have been increased to optimize the absorption of lateral forces when racing through corners. A new hydro mount has been further used to attach the front suspension wishbones, while the mounts for the trailing and control arms at the rear axle have also been remodeled. The spring and damping systems have also undergone recalibration, resulting in a notable improvement in its behavior in corners, which has an advantageous supplemental effect on steering feel when the car’s athletic abilities are put to the test.

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An Engaging And Agile Performance

2022 BMW M135i xDrive's Interior
Via Motor1.com

In the new model, the power output remains at 306 HP and 332 lb-ft of torque, and the car reaches the 62 MPH mark in 4.8 seconds and reaches top speed at 155 MPH. Drive is sent to all four wheels through an eight-speed Aisin automatic transmission and via a front limited-slip differential as standard. The exceptionally powerful M Sport brakes and specially tuned M Sport steering are found as standard equipment in the new model. The twin-tailpipe exhaust system assists power delivery from the engine with reduced back pressure and produces a characterful acoustic accompaniment. The revised soundtrack aspires to exude the signature four-cylinder engine note to those onboard more authentically than ever.

In addition, BMW guarantees a more pleasant drive and sharper handling with the newest M135i xDrive. A near-actuator wheel slip limitation system in the ECU, capable of controlling the traction feed up to ten times faster than before, is standard. This results in agile handling and better traction over slippery surfaces or pulling away from a tight corner. Standard safety features include lane-change warning, lane-departure warning, rear cross-traffic warning, approach-control warning with city-braking intervention, reversing assistant rear collision prevention, parking assistant with parking sensors, speed-limit information, and a rearview camera. The revised M135i xDrive is set to rule the streets by the end of this year or early 2022.

The 2022 BMW M135i xDrive's combination of standard-feature BMW xDrive, Steptronic Sport transmission, and M Sports steering makes it the best vehicle in the segment in terms of cornering and agility. Powered by the high-revving M TwinPower Turbo 4-cylinder engine, this confident BMW 1 Series M automobile exhibits superior driving dynamics and performance on a whole new level.