M135 is a power-packed hot-hatch that’s precise, solid & slick… everything about is ‘sheer driving pleasure’

THEY say the apple never falls far from the tree.

One hundred per cent.

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Not only is my 17-year-old lad handsome and helpful, obviously taking after his mum, since passing his L-test he’s developed a real passion for driving.

Like me.

Any opportunity to get behind the wheel of his little Polo and he’s up for it.

Running his brother to footie training, rescuing his sister from a boozer at 3am, even helping me on photo shoots like this one.

Just wait until he takes his first Beemer for a spin.

Then he’ll find his real love for cars.

He’ll learn that BMW’s promise of “sheer driving pleasure” isn’t marketing BS. It’s true.

The Germans have been knocking out hugely satisfying motors of all shapes and sizes since for ever.

It all starts with the 1 Series petrol, the cheapest and most popular Beemer on UK roads.

The gateway drug to the world of BMW, if you like.

We love this little car.

We love the way it looks.

We love being in it.

We really love the way it drives.

The way it steers. The way it addresses the road. The body control. The performance.

Everything is synchronised, precise, solid and slick. Every mile’s a smile.

The new 1 Series is five-door only. Auto gearbox only. Petrol only. No batteries here.

Even better, the standard 120 Sport at £31k is a leeetle bit cheaper than the old 118i Sport — and has more power and kit

Even better, the standard 120 Sport at £31k is a leeetle bit cheaper than the old 118i Sport — and has more power and kit.

Then there’s the 123 xDrive at £36k — xDrive being BMW-speak for 4WD — which gives added assurance in winter.

Then there’s the car you see here, the spicy M135 xDrive tickled by M, BMW’s motorsport division.

Extra bracing, specifically tuned dampers, lighter wheels, M3 brake pads, the usual hot-hatch recipe. Power is hiked to 296hp and it’ll do 0-62mph in 4.9 seconds.

Faster than a fat lad rushing to Greggs. OK, maybe a tenth slower.

Here’s an interesting stat for you: We buy more M135s in Britain than the rest of Europe combined.

As for the interior, the curved windscreen carries loads of technology.

The “Veganza” seats are dead comfy — and you sit nice and low.

I even liked the illuminated M trim in the centre of dash panel and the tricolour stitching.

But I do have a grumble — about the lit-up M badges on the seats. Every time you look left to pull out of a junction, you think the light from the passenger seat is something coming up your inside.

It’s not a deal breaker, though. It’s all sorted with a bit of gaffer tape.

Which reminds me of my old girl in the Eighties. She sealed the ashtray in her 325i to stop my stepdad smoking in it.

She loved that Beemer.

The apple never falls far from the tree.

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