Hot hatch fans, here’s something from Munich for you. BMW will be bringing this Concept M135i to Geneva, to be unveiled alongside the first BMW M Performance cars. M Performance is a new line of cars that slots between standard BMW models and M cars such as the M3 and M5 – read more about it here.
The M135i has the Concept name in it, but that’s should be the only thing concept about it. Based on the new second gen F20 1-Series, it features a straight six-cylinder petrol engine. Is that a big deal, you ask? Well, the new F20 range follows the downsizing route and every engine on offer has just four cylinders.
The most powerful One on sale now is the 125i, powered by a 2.0L turbo four making 218 hp and 310 Nm. This one does 0 to 100 km/h in 6.4 seconds with a 6-speed manual or 6.5 seconds with an 8-speed auto.
So, if the M135i clears this bar, which it will of course, the ultimate 1-Series will be a supercar chasing pocket rocket. The only thing BMW is telling is that the straight-six features “M Performance Twin Power Turbo technology with a power output of more than 300 hp”. It’s RWD, but reports mention a possible 4WD option. For an example of what the folks at M can do with a small package, read up on the 1-Series M Coupe, the spiritual successor to the E30 BMW M3.
Other elements are model-specific suspension technology that includes an M sports braking system with 360 mm rotors up front and 350 mm units for the rear. 18-inch M light alloys with a double spoke design add to looks and performance. BMW says that M Performance automobiles have “noticeably increased agility, precisely controllable handling characteristics and an emotional design”.
By the way, this is the first time we’re seeing a three-door F20, since BMW launched just the five-door last year. This Concept M135i gets large air intakes (to match the new cooling requirements), the 3D designed flaps on the air intakes, the specific design of the rear end, and a rear apron finished in Dark Shadow metallic.
The latter accommodates the exhaust system’s double tailpipes. The mirror caps are in Ferric Grey and side window surrounds in BMW Individual High Gloss Shadow Line.
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Nice engineering but fugly!!!
So does a beast, but it ROARS!
the backside looks like the VW brother!
agreed, like VW Polo.
the rear looks a bit like vw polo. maybe because of the rear light.
1series hatchback is always ugly (IMO) but i kinda like the sedan though. i wonder what’s the engine capacity of this M135i? the power to weight ratio will rocket this toy in less than 5 sec i reckon!
The last one wasn’t that bad, although the design didn’t age that well. The new one… oh well. That’s what you get when you want to make a distinctive design so that people don’t mistake your A1 for your A3 for your A4 for your A5 for your A6 for your A7 for your A8…
The rear… well, yes, it’s Polo’ish (and no, the Polo is not in the same class as the 1 series, Polo is B segment, 1 series C). But it’s not offensively ugly as the front is, it’s just a bit boring.
Change the shape of those headlights and you’d be fine. But no, why would BMW try to design a pretty car. They sell well even without (they are brilliant cars after all).
FFS it doesn’t look like a hot hatch.
Just comparing with Focus RS, Golf GTI, DS4, Megane RS…
It looks awful.
It’s not really a hot hatch either. It has more performance (211 hp for the Golf GTI, 250 hp for the Focus ST (there is no RS, is there?), 265 for the Megane RS). This has more than 300 hp. Also those cars are front wheel drive, while the 1 series is a rear wheel drive car. There will also be a huge price difference between these cars I’m afraid. The 1M Coupe can’t be considered a hot hatch either, that thing is more going after entry level Porsches.
M135i is a bit confusing… the old 135i was, well, a 135i, wtih 306 hp. And then there was the 1M Coupe with 340 hp. However the 135i was only available as coupe and cabrio, while this is clearly the hatchback.
Ps: The Citroen DS4 isn’t a hot hatch. It’s a “premium” C segment car, more aimed towards regular Audi A3, Mercedes A class and BMW 1 series vehicles. A fashionable and most probably cheaper alternative to those. There may come a hot hatch version of the DS4, but the DS4 itself isn’t (the basic engine has 92 hp… that’s about as hot as ketchup).
unfortunately power alone can’t change the car’s ugliness
seriously a super ugly car, not nice at all.
There’s something about the headlamps that is very unsettling and out of place. Looks like the face of a sad puppy with an over-bite.
if u see from the side it looks like a hot rod….kinda weird…even rear wheels look small at the back…
So..when exactly is the F20 due to arrive in Malaysia? I bet the F30 will arrive first
oh boy ,this car look Sad, it going to cry
i don’t care how unpretty this is…..since volvo isn’t going to make the polestar C30, this is the next best thing!