[Guran]

The May 2009 issue of WHEELS magazine has a feature article called "Fast, Fun, Frugal" in which they track & road test a group of performance cars that have an ADR81 fuel consumption figure of less than 10L/100km. It's an interesting academic exercise. The 135i Coupe qualified for the mix ... just (9.6L/100km ADR81). It was ranked 6th, despite being the 3rd fastest around Oran Park's south circuit (51.85s, behind 911 Carrera PDK on 49.89s and Lotus Elise SC on 50.79s), 2nd quickest to 100km/hr (5.4s behind 911 on 4.9s), and the 4th most fun (behind Elise SC, then 911 and Clio 197). The let down for the 135i was fuel consumption which was the highest of the lot at 16.5L/100km. The fun score was also reduced by the lack of an LSD which meant it was "hard work, but fun" on the track at 10/10ths. The winner? Renaultsport Clio 197.