Test drive: BMW M140i xDrive

I openly admit, I´m a sucker when it comes to hot hatchbacks. I think they are probably the coolest thing you can buy on four wheels. So when this opportunity presented itself I couldn't pass it now could I.

This thought may have popped into someones head that the concept of a hot hatch has been taken too far. Maybe that is why a new term for the most powerful hot hatches mainly the A45 AMG and the RS3 has been coined, "hyper-hatch". Where the difference between a hot hatch and a hyper-hatch goes is still a bit unclear. I'd call the VW Golf R with 300 HP a hyper-hatch but the Civic Type R with 310 HP a hot hatch. After deliberating on this matter a while I realize there are more pressing issues to be discussed so we'll just gloss over that point.

Hurray for Angel eyes!

Which brings me onto something which is not a blurry line the BMW M140i. Only when it goes 250 km/h does it become very blurry indeed. The M140i is the most powerful and dynamic 1-series BMW you can buy today. Under the rather long bonnet lies a slightly renewed classic BMW 3.0 litre single turbo straight six developing the same amount of horsepower as its spiritual predecessor the 1M, 340 HP. In this small car that is plentiful.

BMW M140i xDrive in Alpine white, probably for the bilboard effect.

Talking about the exterior, I happen to like it. The predecessor to this looked in my opinion as a VW Polo which had eaten like a rich Freemason. But this looks more focused and more upmarket than ever. The long bonnet makes it look like the driver sits right in the middle of the car rather than in the front which further strengthens BMW's "ultimate driving machine" ad-phrase. The rear I'm not so sure of. It feels like BMW where so focused on making the 1-series front-end blend with the rest of their fleet of cars that they sort of forgot it was a hatchback. This is highlighted very well by the fairly small rear doors, which made even little nimble me struggle to hop in the rear.

I happen to prefer two large exhausts instead of four smaller ones.

Interior is typical BMW. Nothing has changed in 10-15 years, just more digital screens and a smoother iDrive. In the M140i however there are some nice touches such as alcantara on the steering wheel and above the glove box. Also some sprinklings of carbon fiber can be found on the door handles and the gear knob. I cannot say if it was real but it didn't feel like a nasty plastic knock-off. All in all a nice sporty place be. The seat made that abundantly clear. It was good but unnecessarily hard.

Half digital dash, with analogue speedometer and rev counter.

Usually when you heat the drivers seat with your own bottom you tend to be driving and who wouldn't with a 340 HP hatchback. The 1-series is famously rear-wheel drive but this was fitted with xDrive four-wheel drive. The xDrive is thankfully more weighted for rear-wheel drive action, which may have been taken advantage of on the snowy roads. By putting the car in Sport mode the traction control also allows to have a bit of controlled fun which is enough on public roads. For track-day goers I should report that switching it in Sport+ turns it off altogether. The car is beautifully balanced and almost feels like it pivots around your hip like a hula hoop. Steering is obviously accurate and agile and feels surprisingly connected to your finger tips despite the electronic steering assistance.

Pay attention when choosing a driving mode. In sport mode you can choose sport chassis or drivetrain setup or both.

The four-wheel drive system made it possible to unleash that magnificent straight six in these tricky conditions. The noise through the M-sport pipes is in my view better in the M140i than in the M3 or M4. Listening to the engine rev and take new flight when the (probably) award winning 8-speed ZF automatic selects a new gear is pretty special in a small car like this. The xDrive M140i has an official 0-100 km/h time of 4.4 seconds. I will not argue that at any point.

The engine in the BMW M140i is something to experience. There may be faster cars and larger engines than this but this is a complete and full package. Over here in Finland this particular car has a price tag of over 70 000€, which is a huge amount of money for a car of this size. But after sensing that engine, handling and noise, I wouldn't judge anyone for buying this hyper-hatch.

Test drive: Honda Civic Type R

I have added a new hot hatchback to my, patent pending, 'I've driven that' - collection. It as it turns out is also the second most powerful car that you can drive at the Auto 2016 event.

The EP3 Honda Civic Type R is an iconic hot hatchback revered for it's brilliant chassis, fun handling characteristics and tuning possibilities. But the third generation was not loved all that much. Honda has tried to rectify that with the latest available model the fourth generation.

Honda Civic Type R in championship white

First lets kick off with the - there's no other word for it - insane styling. It looks ready modified with

Why? Just why

wheel-arches that look as they'd been borrowed from another car and spoilers. Big, big spoilers. The one on the boot is so large that when the car rolled in to the test drive car area that is how I recognized it. It was like a shark fin on top of car roofs. I find the styling stupid and a bit embarrassing. In my view a hot hatchback should be so discrete that only car bores will be able to notice it. This gathers attention as much as a cosplayer walking in costume through a train station.

The wing is so tall you can't see it in the rear-view mirror.

When falling into the harsh semi-racing seats, and I mean falling they're much lower down than you'd think, you find yourself in a Honda with a button that says +R. This button changes the lighting and instruments to red. It's obviously the race button. That is all you need to know about this car. No complicated computer to go into where to choose gearbox, suspension or steering settings.

Four tailpipes in a hot hatchback is too many. You too Audi, two is enough.

The Civic Type R is not meant for anyone with backache. It reacts with shakes and rattles to every little bump. Turning off the +R function evens out the ride a tad but not enough. It appears this chassis is not meant for anything else than race tracks. The steering confirms that. It's weighty and precise, not much lock is needed to make a sharp turn. The driving sensation is enhanced by the manual gearbox. A manual in a high performance hatchback! Oh joy. It's just as sharp and precise as one would like it. Short throws and a close proximity to the steering wheel aids the driver to make quicker shifts.

What? Do you want to know the speed at which you're traveling

What makes a hot hatchback is its engine. The fourth generation Civic Type R has a 2.0 litre turbo VTEC developing 310 horsepower. This goes through the front wheels which it actually handles rather well. On hard acceleration it tracks straight with minimal torque steer. Turbo lag was quite absent as well, but I think that was down to the manual gearbox which meant I always kept it at higher than normal revs. Finally the noise. Despite the tuning look of the exhausts it sounded real. No extra burble, crackle or bang only pure vtec kicked in yo.

I wouldn't buy this car purely on the looks. I can understand the track ready look because it feels like it would be very capable at pounding round a few circuits. Many others have also been repelled by the look of this car since the one I drove is the first I've seen on the road. Subtle hot hatchbacks are the way to go.