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2012 BMW M135i

Matt Davis — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Europe, Hatchback, BMW, First Drives

M Performance Makes Another Case For Itself

Here is a sign that (1) BMW is still intent on having fun with its ultimate driving machines and (2) it realized quickly that it got it wrong on the 1 Series hatchback redesign and needed to dress it up, literally, to save face. Whatever the justification for its existence, this M135i three-door hatch is as close to outrageously fantastic as the recently decommissioned 1M Coupe.

The new hatch comes with BMW's turbocharged N55 direct-injection 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine producing 315 horsepower at 5,800 rpm - just 20 fewer horses than that 1M Coupe - and exactly the same torque rating of 332 pound-feet between 1,300 and 4,500 rpm. Plus, the M135i weighs a precious 120 pounds less than the 1M, even when carrying the eight-speed Steptronic sport automatic (155 pounds less with the six-speed manual).

Among top-tier hot Euro hatches like this, the M135i is the first one on the field, to be followed by the future Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG, next Audi RS3 and hopefully a worthy MkVII successor to the Volkswagen Golf R32 legacy. Nothing says "niche" like a high-priced 300-hp hatchback, so it's a fool's game. And we feel foolish.

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2012 BMW M135i originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 Jul 2012 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW M135i recorded racing around the 'Ring

Jeff Sabatini — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 16:56:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Performance, Hatchback, BMW

While we've already reported that BMW's M135i concept from Geneva is headed for production, this footage all but confirms it. Britain's Car magazine has over a minute of video showing a rather sporting 1 Series three-door testing at the Nürburgring.

Of course, this latest bit of news only re-fires the speculation-ometer for us North American BMW lovers. We've yet to see a 1 Series hatchback of any sort for sale on our shores, and whether the new F20 hatch is headed our way is entirely up in the air. Outside of the bizarre 5 Series GT, BMW has been reticent to sell a hatch here since the E36 318ti, which has been out of production for a solid decade now.

While we loved the 1 Series M Coupe, now that its one-and-done model year is over, it would be dandy if BMW would throw us a bone and ship the M135i here. With rumors of all-wheel-drive availability and 300-plus horsepower coming from BMW's TwinTurbo, three-liter inline-six, it looks to be one heck of a car.

Go ahead and see for yourself by scrolling down for the video.

Continue reading BMW M135i recorded racing around the 'Ring

BMW M135i recorded racing around the 'Ring originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 10 Apr 2012 16:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW M135i Concept blends turbo heart with three-door hatch shell

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 02:00:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Hatchback, BMW, Design/Style

And here we thought we already knew about everything BMW planned to bring to the 2012 Geneva Motor Show. We were wrong. The German automaker has announced that it will debut a new M135i Concept, marking the first time it has paired a gasoline-burning engine with its new M Performance moniker.

We'll get to the powertrain in a moment, but first, take note of the three-door hatchback body. Up until now, we've only seen the 2012 1 Series in five-door form, and while the M135i is officially a concept, we'd expect the production version to rock this basic shape, sans the enlarged air intakes up front and the rest of the body kit.

BMW says the three-door 1 Series has "a more dynamic and elongated appearance" than its five-door sibling, pointing to details like its rising character line, frameless windows and "powerfully flared wheel arches" as unique elements. We won't argue any of that, but we're still not entirely sold on the new 1er's nostrils.

Underhood lies BMW's well-known Twin Power Turbo 3.0-liter inline six that sends "more than 300" horsepower to the rear wheels. The suspension has been modified for M Performance duty, and the wheels have been upgraded to 18-inch M-branded alloys. We expect something along these lines to show up in production guise in relatively short order... at the very least for European buyers.

Check out the high-res image gallery above, then click past the break to read the official press release.

Continue reading BMW M135i Concept blends turbo heart with three-door hatch shell

BMW M135i Concept blends turbo heart with three-door hatch shell originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 Feb 2012 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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