Rumors about an M135i version have been circulating for months. Now there's official confirmation from BMW - not in the form of a press release but via a newly launched F20 accessories price list.
As you can see in the screenshots below, there's mention of the 135i, the 135i xDrive, and the M135i. The context is interesting too: The M Sport bumpers aren't available as aftermarket parts for the 135i and the 135i xDrive, likely because both models come standard with them. The M135i is mentioned with the drilled and slotted M Performance rotors we've reported about before (and which BMW just announced
HERE). This likely means that the M Sport brakes are standard on the M135i.
The M135i is expected to be powered by the N55 inline 6 engine with an output of 320hp.
While the F20 M135i (like any other F20) won't make it to the US, this is interesting as there are other M Performance petrol models likely to hit US shores, namely a F30 M335i and --
as BMW insider SCOTT said recently -- the X1 xDrive M35i.
We expect BMW to pull the wraps off of the M135i soon, so stay tuned. For a preview, see some of the recent M135i spy photos:
http://f20.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=640284
http://f20.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=637010