BMW M135i
This,
ladies and gentlemen, is the BMW M135i Concept. The good news: it packs more
than 300 horsepower, and is destined for production shortly after its 2012
Geneva Motor Show debut. The bad news? It isn't likely to be sold here anytime
soon.
Despite
that pesky concept term, we wouldn't be the least bit surprised if this is
virtually identical to a production-spec M135i we've been hearing about for some time. Certainly, the
car looks production ready: most of the exterior revisions fall in line with similar packages
launched as part of the M Performance
Automobiles collection. The 1
Series' exterior revisions include a new front fascia and added enlarged air
intakes, a sportier looking rear fascia with a cutout for dual exhaust tips, and striking M-design
18-inch alloy wheels. Tri-color stripes, which match M's distinctive logo, are applied to both the
bodyside character lines and the rear liftgate. BMW assures us this 1 Series
isn't all show and no go. Mechanical
revisions reportedly include both upgraded brakes
and a firmer, M-tuned suspension package - but from there, things get a little
sketchy. BMW's release says only that the M135i will boast a "straight
six-cylinder...featuring M Performance Twin Power Turbo technology" and an output of more than
300 hp. Early reports suggested the car would use a tweaked version of the 1M's
N54 twin-turbo engine, but BMW has confirmed that the car will be powered by
the new-standard N55, which uses a single, twin-scroll turbo.
This 1 Series will be the first gasoline-powered addition to the BMW M Performance Automobiles collection, which presently consists of the M550d xDrive, and the X5 and X6 M50d models - all of which are powered by diesel engines. Sound nifty? Sadly, the M135i as you see it here isn't coming to North America, largely because the F20 1 Series hatchback isn't in BMW North America's product plans. That said, coupe and convertible models based off this architecture almost certainly are, and officials have hinted that the 1 Series would seem like it would work with the new M Performance group. Here's hoping it does -- and that some of this package manages to work its way stateside at some point.
This 1 Series will be the first gasoline-powered addition to the BMW M Performance Automobiles collection, which presently consists of the M550d xDrive, and the X5 and X6 M50d models - all of which are powered by diesel engines. Sound nifty? Sadly, the M135i as you see it here isn't coming to North America, largely because the F20 1 Series hatchback isn't in BMW North America's product plans. That said, coupe and convertible models based off this architecture almost certainly are, and officials have hinted that the 1 Series would seem like it would work with the new M Performance group. Here's hoping it does -- and that some of this package manages to work its way stateside at some point.
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