Powered by a 3-liter twin-turbocharged engine producing 300 horsepower and 300 lb-ft of torque. This baby Bimmer is in Porsche Cayman S territory - at half the price.

Photos: Joel Tam

So how do you stick your nose up the arse of a Cayman S without having to break the bank? The BMW 135i is the answer. Of course, you could buy an STi or an Evo and achieve the same results, but you won't do it in the comfort and finesse of the Bimmer.

Like all BMWs we love, power is fed to the rear wheels, and an aluminum double-pivot front suspension and five-link fully independent rear suspension derived directly from the 3-Series, handles the car. The car is also equipped with BMW's Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) with Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) that electronically intervenes to prevent any insurance claims. Some of you who consider electronic aids to be party-poopers can relax. The DTC activates only at a high threshold of performance, and if you're feeling very brave, or crazy, you can turn them both off entirely and have some tail-out fun.

Even though the 1 series is really like a squashed 3 series - some angles are still rather handsome.

The view a Porsche Cayman S will be seeing after the 135i passes stage 2 tuning.

Black helps keep the lines on the Coupe looking sleek.

Rear boot spoiler subtle and neat.

6 piston brake calipers are OEM factory issue from BMW. Nice.

Factory black polished rear tips complete the black theme.

Black on black. Yup, the interior too.

19" Work VS 2-piece wheels.

Macho-looking front end and big rims help give this car its 'muscle', even though it is essentially a small car.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _