We bring you the very first photos of the F21 135i. We've previously spied a 135i (or M135i?) 5-door hatchback (F20), but never the 135i 3-door hatchback (F21) as seen here. In fact, F21 sightings in general have been rare.
The F21 is set to be revealed as early as Spring 2012.
M135i ?
As we've reported before, we wouldn't be shocked if BMW went with a "
M135i" moniker for this car to form part of the first group of the just announced
M Performance Automobiles Range cars. From a BMW presentation to Dutch dealers in November came
a report that a "M135i" F20 1 series hatchback is coming this summer. Those in attendance were reportedly told about a M135i featuring
320hp and powered by the N55 inline 6 engine.
The F21 was recently revealed via a set of
patent images, but it looks
much more dynamic and attractive here in Estoril Blue II and in M-sport package guise. This model even has the optional M Sports Brakes in blue finish. See below for full F20/F21 M Sport package details:
M Sport Package
The F20/F21 M Sport package comes with the M Sports suspension (10mm lower) with tighter spring/shock absorber settings and harder anti-roll bars. An M Sports brake is optionally available (seen on this model) as an exclusive feature with the M Sports package (except for the models BMW 125i and 125d). It consists of aluminium multi-piston fixed calipers finished in dark blue metallic bearing the BMW M logo and 17-inch lightweight construction brake discs. Another such feature is the 17 or 18-inch M light alloy wheels in double spoke styling with mixed tyres.
In addition to the M aerodynamic package with numerous body components for the front, side and rear sections and the BMW Individual high-gloss Shadow Line, the exterior paint finish in Estoril Blue II metallic optionally available exclusively with the M Sports package.
Inside the vehicle, components such as aluminium door sill cover strips with M emblem, M leather steering wheel with multifunction buttons, M footrest and M gearshift lever. The driver and front passenger sit on sports seats available exclusively for the M Sports package in Hexagon Anthracite fabric/Alcantara with contrast stitching in Royal Blue. There's also a sports-style instrument panel with red accentuations and chrono scaling. The M Sports package is rounded off with interior strips in the equally exclusive Aluminium Hexagon finish with accentuation strip either in Estoril Blue matte or high-gloss Black and an anthracite-coloured BMW Individual roof liner.
Expect the F21 1 series to be introduced soon, but it will not be coming stateside.