The refreshed M135i xDrive is sharper than ever

Chassis upgrades are central to the rethink for the 306PS (208kW) all-wheel-drive machine, and they are more than just fiddling. Suspension mounts have been redesigned, an additional mount added to attach the front suspension wishbones, the spring and damper rates recalibrated and front wheel camber cranked right up.

BMW says the M135i shows a “significant improvement” in roll behaviour in fast corners, with more feelful steering and more traction. For circuit driving, the car is “noticeably enhanced” they say. As before, there’s a mechanical limited-slip differential at the front axle and eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission.

The Volkswagen Golf R and Mercedes-AMG A35 rival should also sound more characteristically BMW. The turbo four-pot engine’s exhaust noise has been amplified and diverted to the cabin speakers in the past, but now BMW has revised the soundtrack to make it “more authentic”. There’s a new sound composition when you start the engine, all part of what they say is a “rich acoustic experience”. As rich as a BMW straight-six we wonder?

The exhaust is not the only thing that is getting louder about the M135i. What about that yellow paint job? It’s what BMW calls a “high impact” look and is one of a number of new paint finishes for this model. As well as Sao Paulo Yellow choose from Frozen Orange metallic and Frozen Pure Grey.