With the introduction of this BMW M135i BMW brings something very special to the field
Because this is the first gasoline M-Performance model
M-Performance is to BMW what S is to Audi
A powerful six-cilinder engine, rear wheel drive an almost perfect 50:50 weight distribution
This has all the makings of the perfect hot hatchback
Of course my colleague is wrong
Because the best hot hatch, and I've said this before, but apparently no one listens
Razor-sharp, very direct throttle-response THAT is what a hot hatch should feel like
So stop talking nonsense, I've told you before THIS is the best hot hatchback
Yeah, it's just you've brought a pre-facelift model
Well yes, a facelift-model wasn't available But this is the RS Trophy
And it is mechanically identical to the facelifted model so no worries
Ok, so how many horsepower does it have? 265.
This one has 320, which is 55 more and it has RWD -But this one has a limited slip differential
How many gears does it have? Slick working six speed manual of course.
This one has eight speeds, eight! Yeah, in an automatic gearbox, grandpa
I do have to admit that my colleague has a point
This has an automatic eight speeds ZF transmission Which works nicely because of it's specialised software
In Sport+ mode downshifts are noticeably harder
And it gives you full control, no downshifts on kickdown and no upshifts when you reach the rev limiter
But a manual simply involves you more in the driving This is too polished, too easy for a true hot hatch
The enigine however is absolutely amazing
It's a 3-litre inline six with just one turbo But it produces 320 horsepower
From 1.300 rpm it pulls like a train and few engines sound this good
265 horsepower may be less but I never feel like it's lacking
It's very venomous, especially when you push the ESP button and put it in Sports mode
This makes the throttle response even better It's really super-sharp
Also it has a sports exhaust which is a bit after-market
But it makes the sound as brutal as the BMW if only slightly less clean
The gearbox is perfect, short throws it gives full control
It also comes with a beep to warn you when to shift up this way you never have to look at your rev-counter
You simply feel this thing is focused on sportiness
The question everybody asks is: is this the successor to the 1 M Coupé
Well short answer: no
That car was custom-built bij BMW M this has only been tweaked
It remains a 1-series
Steering is noticeably less sharp, lighter and less direct and the car itself moves around more
When you push it, it safely understeers but this is compared to the best driving car of last year
Which makes this car exactly what BMW promises less harcore than a true M, but still very good
And 320 horsepower can easily solve understeer
Grip from the Michelin Pilot Super Sport is very good you can push this car to license-threatening speeds
So for those who just want to go fast on public roads this car will never disappoint you
The Cup-chassis on this RS is borderline for road use It is rock-hard and incredibly sharp
That BMW doesn't come close Steering is very direct
Light, but light doesn't mean uncommunicative
Feedback is superb
That means you can steer into corners very accurately
Then you floor the pedal, the front wheels bite down
On dry tarmac it never loses traction perhaps on wet things will be different
It catapults itself out of a corner and on to the next This is what a good hot hatch feels like
That accuracy is that I look for in a driver's car And Renault's RS models are superb in that regard
I've driven the BMW as well and it's hard to find fault
But when I drive it, I miss the sharpness of the Renault And I never miss the power of the BMW in the RS
Well I agree the RS is sharper it would be quicker on a racetrack
However, this is sharp enough for most occasions it sounds better and has more everyday use
It is much more expensive though Which shows in it's equipment
This is very basic and focused on going fast But that also makes it the most fun car in it's class
Hmm, I think I would save on for this one
Really? Well then I will take the Renault home -Have fun