There is a new kid in the premium subcompact hatchback class, and it comes from BMW. Yep, it's the latest-generation 1 Series, which celebrated its public debut last week, promising to be better in every aspect than the model it replaces.
It has ditched the 'i' suffix from its name in the gasoline-powered variants, as the Munich auto marque wants to use it as a prefix on its upcoming EVs. As before, BMW won't launch it in the United States, but it will initially come with four specifications on the other side of the pond, two diesels and as many gasoline-fed versions.
The 118d is the base diesel. It packs a 2.0L unit with 148 hp (150 ps/110 kW), and the 120d brings more power, with the output being rated at 161 hp (163 ps/120 kW). The 120 uses a 1.5L three-pot, making 168 horsepower (170 ps/125 kW), and the M135 xDrive sits at the top of the family. In European markets, the hot hatch boasts 296 horsepower (300 ps/221 kW), and it enjoys 312 hp (316 ps/233 kW) outside the Old Continent.
According to BMW, the all-new 2025 M135 xDrive, because it also features an M-tuned all-wheel drive system that's unfortunately front-biased due to the model's platform, is quite agile in a straight line sprint. The car manufacturer says the hot hatch takes 4.9s to reach 62 mph or 100 kph from naught and it can keep going up to 155 mph (250 kph).
Photo: Instagram | Kelsonik
Any hot hatch enthusiast would tell you that BMW still does not have a rival to the likes of the Mercedes-AMG A 45 S and Audi RS 3 Sportback. These two models reign supreme in the mega hatch class. The AMG boasts 415 hp (421 ps/210 kW), taking just 3.9 seconds to sprint to 62 mph, and the Audi Sport model enjoys 394 hp (400 ps/294 kW), and is actually one-tenth quicker, the spec sheet reveals.
BMW has the right tools to turn the latest-generation 1er into a mega hatch that could rub shoulders with the Audi RS 3 Sportback and Mercedes-AMG A 45 S. We're not the only ones who think that, as Kelsonik shares this opinion. As a result, the pixel manipulator has just turned the new M135 into an M1 mega hatch, giving it a widebody makeover, and the usual styling tweaks at both ends.
The digital illustrations look great, and maybe they'll inspire BMW's management board to approve a future M140 xDrive or, why not, a full-blown M1. After all, it's about time they forget about the real M1 from the late '70s and early '80s and start living in the present with a new mega hatch. After all, they have developed the XM, a standalone M product, just like the iconic M1 classic supercar. And it's not like a new mega hatch would step on the M2's toes, as that one features a completely different platform.
After a series of unfortunate events put an end to Cristian's dream of entering a custom built & tuned old-school Dacia into a rally competition, he moved on to drive press cars and write for a living. He's worked for several automotive online journals and now he's back at autoevolution after his first tour in the mid-2000s. Full profile
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