BMW M135i xDrive updated for 2022 with chassis tweaks
BMW says its revisions have made the M135i even sharper to drive – and there’s a new enhanced driving sound for the car’s stereo
BMW has launched an updated version of the 302bhp M135i xDrive hot hatchback. This latest model features chassis tweaks and a new artificially enhanced exhaust note that’s piped through the stereo, which the brand says has made the car more enjoyable to drive.
The updates will be applied to all new BMW M135is, meaning the tweaks have been added just in time for the 2022 plate change. What’s more, as the revisions are relatively minor, there’s no change to the car’s price – it still starts from £37,700.
Chassis upgrades include new mounts for the front wishbones and tweaked camber settings for the front wheels, which means the M135i can better cope with lateral forces through the corners, according to BMW.
The springs and dampers have also been recalibrated, while the mounts for the rear trailing and control arms have been replaced. According to the company’s engineers, these adjustments help reduce body roll and improve steering feel.
Inside, the updated BMW M135i is identical to the old model, with the exception of a new artificially enhanced exhaust sound. It’s linked to the car’s throttle pedal and played through the stereo, with the firm claiming this new system is a more authentic replica of the car’s engine note. It also features a new “sound composition,” which plays when the engine is started.
The M135i’s updates are rounded off by some new BMW Individual paint finishes, which can be specified as an optional extra. Additions to the range include Sao Paulo Yellow, Frozen Orange metallic and Frozen Pure Grey.
There’s also more customisation on offer, with BMW offering buyers the potential to request the colour they’d like their new M135i to be finished in. As a result BMW has retooled one of its existing paint shops and added an extra 10 employees to the paint department.
As before, the revised M135i xDrive is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, which develops an identical 302bhp and 450Nm of torque. The engine sends drive to all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic gearbox and a mechanical limited- slip differential mounted on the front axle.
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