- BMW has confirmed that it will add a turbocharged gasoline hatch with rear-wheel drive to its M Performance Automobiles range.
- Sources insist the M135i will be on sale in Europe as early as July, featuring a 320-horsepower version of the N55 turbocharged, straight-6, 3.0-liter gasoline motor.
- The concept car will debut at the upcoming 2012 Geneva Auto Show.
MUNICH, Germany — BMW has confirmed that it will add a turbocharged gasoline hatch with rear-wheel drive to its M Performance Automobiles range.
The Concept M135i hatch has assuaged fears that the new brand, which launched its first car a week ago, would be an exclusively diesel and all-wheel-drive company.
While officially dubbed a concept car for the 2012 Geneva Auto Show in early March, sources insist the M135i will be on sale in Europe as early as July, featuring a version of the N55 turbocharged 3.0-liter gasoline straight-6 motor.
BMW admits only that the rear-drive Concept M135i will have "more than 300 horsepower," though sources insist the production number will be 320 hp.
It will combine direct fuel injection with variable valve timing and lift and a twin-scroll turbocharger to flesh out its torque curve as well, though BMW refuses to confirm a torque figure.
There had been widespread rumors that the M Performance Automobiles brand, which launched with the Europe-only, tri-turbo M550d xDrive, would remain an exclusively diesel and all-wheel-drive brand.
The arrival of the Concept M135i confirms BMW's intention to flesh out its "straddle" sub-brand, created to cross the gap between the standard BMW range and the powerhouse M models, throughout its full model range.
Production plans involve only the three-door hatch, with visual changes including a deeper, more menacing front air intake. The lower intake includes a deep front splitter flanked by a pair of intakes on its sides for cooling.
It will also use wider rear bodywork to accommodate larger 18-inch wheels and tires along with bigger brakes, while the tail boasts a pair of chrome exhaust tips.
It will have tweaks to its chassis package, too, with stiffer springs, dampers and antiroll bars and a more aggressive skid-control system for its Sport mode.
Inside Line says: No word yet on whether this will be a "Europe-only" model like the M550d, but given the strong response to the 1M coupe, there's a much better chance we'll see this Stateside.
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bluff10 says:
06:56 AM, 02/29/2012
What a horrible car!!! It looks like BMW hired the former designer of the Pontiac Aztec to give it a shot. I hope it stays in Europe only. This car will be a disaster in the U.S.
thegreek2 says:
04:17 PM, 02/28/2012
um really hmmm the headlights kinda make the car look like it got beat by an ugly stick and im not a fan of the brake lights either. Should of just made it look like a smaller hatchback 3 series
kkear3 says:
12:07 PM, 02/26/2012
Seriously? It looks like it grew up in the ugly forest and was beaten like a red-headed step child. Bet BMW sells a crapload of them.
theinsurgent says:
07:49 AM, 02/25/2012
If you remember the UK Top Gear head to head of the Golf GTI and the BMW 1 Series 5 door hatch, They loved to drive the BMW but gave the nod to the VW. I would like to see another comparison of the VW with this in the future. Hopefully, VW will have a redesigned GTI by then. I don't like comparisons of brand new cars against older models that have been out for a few years.
This should sell very well in Europe. As for the US market ... well, you just don't see a lot of hatchbacks around since the introduction of the Golf and Chrysler hatches way back when.
I am also looking forward to the upcoming Audi A3 Sedan / Coupe in the near future. I would like to see a comparison between that and the new M 1 Coupe when they come out.
isend2c says:
11:11 AM, 02/24/2012
I'd like to get a 128i version of this, it's not a looker but it's a RWD hatchback with plenty of power (even as a 128i) with a 6-speed manual or a 8-speed auto. It should also cost less than the 1 series coupe, so it'd be about $30K. sounds good to me...
This, with the X35i engine in it is pretty dumb, I don't think it needs that much power, and that engine isn't an "M" engine. It's their bread-and-butter engine, like Toyota's 3.5L V6.
bluff10 says:
09:07 AM, 02/24/2012
What a ugly car...feel sorry for who buys this together with Gran Turismos owners out there.
aston_dbs says:
07:25 AM, 02/24/2012
In a tight head-to-head competition in ugliness with BMW's own 5 Gran Turismo.
Who's going to win???
vegan4life says:
07:15 AM, 02/24/2012
If this car was born in nature, its mother would have left it in the woods to die.
b_thunder says:
06:55 AM, 02/24/2012
i'd buy one. for $30-32k, not $50k
saunupe1911 says:
06:18 AM, 02/24/2012
Man they are throwing M badges on everything these days. I would refuse to work on this project if I was a Motorsports division employee. lol