The BMW M135i is the epitome of compact speed right now. Before any customer has ever set foot in the car, it’s already being heralded into the world as an ideal driving machine. All that excitement comes from fitting the smallest car with the 3.0-liter straight six you normally find in a 335i 3-Series.
Along with the 320-horsepower M135i, fresh engines and features are among the new treats, as well as Sport Line, Urban Line and M Sport Package trims.
The new 102-hp 114i model establishes the base, followed by the 136-hp 116i, 170-hp 118i and 218-hp 125i on the gasoline side, the 116-hp 116d, 143-hp 118d, 184-hp 120d and 218-hp 125d on the diesel side. Six-speed manuals are the go-to, with two eight-speed automatic transmissions in the options column. The M135i and 120d can be had with xDrive all-wheel drive, a first-time application on the 1 Series.
The BMW M135i’s body has been specially designed to handle the impressive power delivered by its powerful engine. It will get the usual M design elements, including a new front apron with large air intake vents to meet the cooling demands of the high-performance straight six-cylinder engine, auxiliary units, and over-sized brakes. The three-dimensional flaps on the outer air vents were inspired by automobile racing and take the space reserved for the fog lights in other versions of the three-door BMW 1-Series.
