The BMW M135i is currently seen by many motoring journalists as the best hot hatch that you can currently buy. It’s not the fastest, with that title going to the more expensive Mercedes A45 AMG, and nor is it perfect, with the lack of a mechanical limited-slip diff becoming really noticeable on some corner exits.
However, up until now, it had not been track tested against what is probably its closest current match in the industry: the all-new Audi S3 hatch. It’s slightly down on power compared to the blue Bavarian, but it has much improved handling over its predecessor, and EVO’s Jethro Bovingdon praises it for its consistent tendency to correct its line into corners through oversteer.
In the end, the clock left only one clear winner, in a challenge that actually seemed a bit closer than it actually turned out to be. Check it out after the virtual jump.
By Andrei Nedelea
VIDEO