What's the news?
While wheeling out the new three-door version of the 1 Series, BMW casually mentioned the launch of an M135i variant. It'll come in three- and five-door shapes and even with xDrive four-wheel drive eventually. It's an 'M Performance Vehicle' though, not a full-on M car.
Exterior
The M135i takes the M Sport look a little further, with deeper, more aggressive bumpers front and rear and cracking 18-inch alloys with distinctly large brakes nestling behind. The rear bumper takes on the appearance of a diffuser, but unlike 'real' M cars it features just two exhausts.
Interior
It doesn't look like we've been given any interior shots as yet, but expect plenty of colour coding for the dashboard trim and seat materials. It'll be well equipped too.
Mechanicals
BMW's well-proven turbocharged straight-six petrol engine is at the heart of the M135i. Peak power is 320hp (at 5,800rpm) and maximum torque of 450Nm is produced between 1,300- and 4,500rpm. A six-speed manual gearbox is standard, though an eight-speed automatic will also be offered. There's no mention of a mechanical limited slip differential. The first M135is will be rear-wheel drive as you'd expect, but xDrive four-wheel drive will be offered in time - though that's not been confirmed for right-hand drive markets as yet.
Data
Top speed is limited to 250km/h, 0-100km/h takes 5.1 seconds (just 4.9 seconds in the auto), combined cycle fuel economy is 35.3mpg (8.0 litres/100km) and CO2 emissions are rated at 188g/km (37.6mpg and 175g/km for the auto). No word on pricing as yet.