Photos: BMW 135i Coupe
BMW showed off its entry-level 135i sport coupe at the 2007 Frankfurt auto show. But with BMW, "entry-level" means one of the most exciting small cars available. Although the 135i is BMW's smallest four-seater, the company packs its incredible twin-turbo, 3-liter, straight six-cylinder engine under the hood. And best of all, BMW will import the 135i to the U.S.
BMW launched its 1 series a few years ago in Europe, as its 3 series has outgrown its entry-level roots. For the U.S. version, BMW turns it into a performance monster. The 135i gets an M body kit to differentiate it from its more conventionally engined siblings. Note the big air scoop in the spoiler.
The heart of the beast, this twin-turbo, 3-liter, straight-six-cylinder engine more than impressed us in the 535i and 335i convertible. We can't imagine what it will do in the much-smaller 1 series. BMW has a few clues, such as 5.3 seconds to 62 mph. The engine puts out 306 horsepower and 295 ft-lbs. of torque.
With its coupe styling, the 135i looks to be a real sleeper, a car you can blast off the line, surprising any number of gaudier sports cars. The 135i has a practical element, as the trunk is fairly spacious, although rear seat room is a little cramped. The rear seats have a 60/40 fold-down split, for extra cargo space.
With this engine, the 135i needs a little extra on the wheels and suspension. BMW opted for low-profile tires and beefy disc brakes to help traction and stopping power. It also gets a sport-tuned suspension as standard equipment. With traction control turned off, the car still applies computer-controlled differential slip to improve cornering without being intrusive.
We found it easy to slip into the driver's seat, although getting into the rear seats is another matter. The 135i has a thick steering wheel, providing a good grip surface. It can also be had with a full array of cabin electronics, including navigation, Bluetooth cell phone integration, and voice command. iPods and USB thumb drives can also be used as audio sources.
The standard transmission in the 135i is a six-speed manual. The navigation option is controlled through iDrive. BMW refined iDrive to include eight user-programmable buttons, making it easy to access your most commonly used functions.
More Galleries
My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera
My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera
20 Photos
Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra
Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra
10 Photos
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum
23 Photos
Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design
Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design
23 Photos
I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites
I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites
34 Photos
17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About
17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About
18 Photos
AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?