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M135i Spied Testing at the Ring (Updated With Video)

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At the Geneva Motor Show three weeks ago, BMW gave a first preview of the upcoming M135i in Concept form. M135i prototypes continue testing on the Nürburgring. Dual tailpipes and the trademark M Performance wheels give this model away. The M135i will be the next model introduced to the new line of M Performance Automobiles, which already includes the M550d and X5/X6 M50d models.

Powered by a 320hp version of the N55 3.0-litre inline 6, the M135i will be the fastest 1-series currently available. As BMW puts it, "moreover, the characteristic handling precision of BMW M Performance automobiles is obtained through model-specific suspension technology that includes an M sports braking system and is perfectly adapted to match the supreme road performance. 18-inch M light alloys with a double spoke design additionally complement the car’s sporting character." So we expect the M135i's performance to come quite close to the already-legendary 1-series M Coupe.

The M135i has been confirmed to be coming with optional manual transmission and AWD xDrive. The coupe version of the M135i (which may be called the M235i as the F22 coupe may take on the 2-series badge) has been confirmed to be coming to the US in the future.

The M135i will be available both as 5-door F20 and as 3-door F21. Our spyshots show the 3-door F21 model. BMW hasn't even officially unveiled the F21 3-door 1 series yet, but we expect this to happen soon.

Unfortunately however, the F20 and F21 M135i won't be available in the US, just like the already-announced M Performance Diesel models. Rumor has it that the first M Performance model for the US will be the X1 M35i xDrive with a possible M335i following shortly after, but these are yet uncorroborated.

Stay tuned for more information on the M135i, including news on its possible debut at the 2012 M Festival in June.

M135i Spy Video

[Dackelone]

Cool! Nice to see a factory 1er with dual exhaust tips ala 335i.

[bimmerjph]

BMW USA you are really starting to piss me off.
No diesels
No 1er hatch
No 5er Wagon
No M5 Wagon
No Limited edition M3s (CSL, GTS, CRT)

Seriously there is a market for them here!

[ab3]

Originally Posted by bimmerjph

BMW USA you are really starting to piss me off.
No diesels
No 1er hatch
No 5er Wagon
No M5 Wagon
No Limited edition M3s (CSL, GTS, CRT)

Seriously there is a market for them here!

Agreed... ugh

[DRIVE'R]

whats the point of those stickers if the front and rear bumper is visible? Anyway, good looking beast, cant wait to see some numbers

[DrivenByE30]

Originally Posted by Subnasty

whats the point of those stickers if the front and rear bumper is visible? Anyway, good looking beast, cant wait to see some numbers

1) to hide the flame surfacing on the side...
2) to show that it's a test car, otherwise, you would think it's an independent who just went through the trouble of dropping the 35i engine into the 1...

The first generation 1 series hatch looks better i think...
i am still having trouble accepting this new 1....

[epiphone3]

man, its too bad this car looks so bad compared to the new Mercedes A-class! How can Mercedes get that car so right and BMW get this one so wrong?

[Jblack4083]

So if the next 1M is rumored to be a turbo 4... I wonder how it's going to go over with the M135i having a turbo 6 and the 1M having a turbo 4.

I know its been done before with the E30 325i and M3 but still I cant wait to see them pull this off again. That Turbo 4 better be special.

S20 anyone?

[bimmerjph]

Originally Posted by Jblack4083

So if the next 1M is rumored to be a turbo 4... I wonder how it's going to go over with the M135i having a turbo 6 and the 1M having a turbo 4.

I know its been done before with the E30 325i and M3 but still I cant wait to see them pull this off again. That Turbo 4 better be special.

S20 anyone?

Never heard that rumor.

[positiveions]

those wheels look good.

[latum]

It's me or the car is rolling a lot (sorry if it isn't the right wording..) for being an M?

[mapezzul]

Originally Posted by Subnasty

whats the point of those stickers if the front and rear bumper is visible? Anyway, good looking beast, cant wait to see some numbers

Stickers are there bc the 3 door 1er has not been officially unveiled. The "Concept" at Geneva was discussed a bit compared to the production version (supposedly).

Originally Posted by epiphone3

man, its too bad this car looks so bad compared to the new Mercedes A-class! How can Mercedes get that car so right and BMW get this one so wrong?

Karim Habib- He left BMW and went to MB, the A Class was born. He returned to BMW, the 6 GC is born.

[Mr Marcus]

That is the ugliest thing I have seen since Susan Boyle.

[Diver]

Do we get this in coupe form in the US?

[klammer]

Is it me or does it just look like an SUV out there? Ton of body roll, but is probably a blast to drive.

[tony20009]

Originally Posted by Diver

Do we get this in coupe form in the US?

If we do, you'll be able to readily identify the folks who will buy anything just because it has an M badge on it. Perhaps if BMW rejuvenate the old AMC company and put M badges on Gremlins, folks will buy them too.

[richb811]

Looks like a lot of fun. They better bring this stateside!

[Cuz5150]

Damn you BMW for not bring the 1er with 3 or 5 doors.
Deutschland is really letting us in the US market down, big time.
I want a 1er Hatch and a Vw Polo Gti...........Damn You!!!
I'm not purchasing any car soon, and holding on to my 2 E46 M3's.

[Woolley456]

Originally Posted by bimmerjph

BMW USA you are really starting to piss me off.
...
No M5 Wagon
...

its because M division diverted all their funding into creating a manual M5 ONLY for the US market, instead of creating a M5 wagon for a world wide market...

[Taipei-TT]

it's interesting to note....the majority who find this car ugly are from the very market that BMW is not exporting this model to. And then the other half of that market begs and pleads for these models. This car would not sell in the US. Period.

However, though it still requires me to do a double-take to differentiate it and the new VW Polo, the lines, even the front, are growing on me as the cars become a little more familiar on the streets. Personally, I think the M135, M335, is a very smart strategy for markets outside the US where luxury taxes, displacement taxes, CO2 emission taxes, or all three, make true M cars too expensive for so many buyers. (e.g. a M3 here costs $165 000USD, M5 233 000, and both cars will run about $3000 annual taxation because of large displacement engines) These versions add a premium that makes more profit for BMW, offers a fully-warrantied OEM performance car that is more than enough for most drivers, at a price that is probably not much higher than what it would cost to achieve these numbers in the after-market.

Certainly, the M135 is not a true M car. But this strategy will allow BMW to make true M cars for those markets and individuals who can afford them while also offering a premium, sporty version for people who want more than what the entry level models can offer. BMW seems to have its Asian strategy in gear. Now, if they can just change the market perception in key markets to capitalize on key product development. (e.g China...BMW=old, Audi=awesome)

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by mapezzul

Stickers are there bc the 3 door 1er has not been officially unveiled.

Any idea when it will finally break cover mapezzul? It seems strange that they have yet to even give official press info and "internet reveal".

I am also curious to see if they do a 120i and/or 128i or if they just stick with the 116i, 118i, and 125i for the gasoline lineup.

[bunker]

Originally Posted by bimmerjph

BMW USA you are really starting to piss me off.
No diesels
No 1er hatch
No 5er Wagon
No M5 Wagon
No Limited edition M3s (CSL, GTS, CRT)

Seriously there is a market for them here!

+ 100000

I freaking hate BMW NA. A 1M hatch? For real? People seriously wouldn't buy that? Wtf is wrong with those guys?