BMW 135i Coupé to tackle Albert Park

By George Skentzos | March 21st, 2009

The BMW 135i Coupé is set to take to the tarmac at this year’s 2009 Australian Grand Prix, at Melbourne’s Albert Park, in the Ultimate Speed Comparison.

The honorary addition to the M-division line-up will wear its famed tii livery and a raft of BMW Performance gear as its takes on a V8 Supercar and a fully prepared BMW Sauber Formula One car.

The Ultimate Speed Comparison, held on five separate occasions during the race weekend, pits three high performance forms of motoring against each other in a one lap race to the finish line.

“The Ultimate Speed Comparison has proven to be a particularly popular segment on the Grand Prix schedule and perfectly embodies ‘The Ultimate Driving Machine’ claim,” says Tom Noble, General Manager Marketing, BMW Group Australia.

In addition to a full BMW Performance aerodynamic package, the 135i to be used in the event has been fitted with a road holding suspension set up, cross drilled and weight saving brake package and BMW Performance 18-inch light-alloy wheels.

Carbon fibre mirror covers and carbon fibre look bonnet with integrated roof and boot sports stripes highlight the BMw brand’s fascination with both motorsport and heritage.

Despite 225kW on tap from the powerful six-cylinder, twin turbo engine, capable of reaching 100km/h in just 5.3 seconds – the 135i Coupé remains the obvious underdog in this grid of giants.

Bavarian Missile (.)(.)

Always fun to watch the comparison run , they need a non race car too. Something the average joe can compare the speed against………….I recon the little BM will give the V8 Supercar a good run
http://www.caradvice.com.au George

Would have been good to see the GT-R out there!
ford

maybe vs a SS or xr6t
Falcodore

That tow hook is there so the F1 car can tow it to make it look faster than a V8 Supercar, right?
Tack

Hi George,
Looks like full of BMW performance parts…
It would be very close to GT-R price !!!
Or even close to M3.
I am just talking about money of course.
noname

What a ugly car !! What a Overpriced crap 11
Driving Driver

These are a great steer ,but way too expensive in this form.Also a bit more power in this model might help to justify the price.
h0tfuzz

A fairer race would be between an m3 and a v8 supercar
WVB

well, its already come third in the looks race.
what’s it going to race anyway, a commodore or a falcon?
Bavarian Missile (.)(.)

No WVB, from what I understand the slowest vehicle is started first,which will be the BM then the V8 Supercar and lastly the F1 to show how fast the F1 is even after it is handicapped .

Interesting to watch how fast those things really are against the likes of a V8 Supercar but I would have chosen a more family orientated car like a base Commodore or Falcon instead of the BM…….the BM is a quick little car too start with.
WVB

^BM(.)(.) so your saying its the slowest and i’m saying its the ugliest, do i hear three strikes…………
Bavarian Missile (.)(.)

I have to agree it is and will be…………..although its great bang for your buck from BMWs lineup, it aint the prettiest thing Ive seen out of Bavaria……