The transition from concept to reality is complete for the new member of BMW M Performance cars, the M135i. As the hottest version of the 1-Series range, the 135i is powered by the renowned TwinTurbo straight six-cylinder engine, and it’s the first petrol-powered M Performance Automobiles product. The M135i is still very ugly, but it is hugely fast.

That brilliant I-6 engine makes 235 kW/320 hp and 450 Nm of torque in this car, resulting in a 0 to 100 km/h time of  5.1 seconds (automatic: 4.9 seconds) and limited top speed of 250 km/h. It also manages fuel consumption of just 8.0 litres (7.5 litres)/100 km, and the CO2 emissions of 188 grams (175 grams) per kilometre.

But perhaps the best thing about this fast little car is the dynamics. The extremely competent chassis features stuff like elasto-kinematics – whatever that is – as well as individual control of the suspension and damping systems, Variable Sports Steering system, M sport brakes, and standard 18-inch wheels with 225/40 R18 tires on the front axle and 245/35 R18 on the back.

Then there’s the electronics. The standard Dynamic Stability Control system DSC includes the anti-lock braking system (ABS), the Dynamic Traction Control system (DTC), the Cornering Brake Control system (CBC) and the Dynamic Brake Control system (DBC). You also get Brake Assistant, Fading Compensation, Dry Braking functionality and a Hill Start Assistant.

All that means you can enjoy all of the car’s 320 horses more effectively and more efficiently.

It’s a good job you will enjoy driving this car, because it means you will spend more time in it. You look at it from the outside, and it’s not that pleasant. Based on the new three-door 1er, the M135i gets its own M specific bumpers, tailpipes and colors, but it’s still not a looker because of those stupid headlamps.

The interior details include exclusive cloth Hexagon/Alcantara upholstery, an M leather steering wheel with multifunction buttons and blue accent stitching, the BMW Individual roofliner in Anthracite, interior trim in Aluminium Hexagon with matt Estoril Blue or high-gloss black accent lines, gear selector and handbrake with leather gaiters, M driver footrest, speedometer and rev counter with red chronoscales.