BMW announces a rapid new M135i

Second-gen 1-series concept gets the new “M Performance Car” treatment…

Posted by: Matthew Jones, 24 February 2012

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As the sort of right-thinking, snappy-dressing individual that frequents TopGear.com, you'll probably be quite excited about the new three-door 1-Series. Even more so about this M135i concept.

See more pics of the M135i

It's one of the first 'BMW M Performance' cars - a new brand that sits between M-Sport models and full-fat M-cars that includes the awesome M550d. And it's fruity.

How fruity? This fruity: it gets a Twin Power Turbo tech-equipped 3.0-litre straight six engine that produces what the Bavarians promise will be "more than 300hp". Rejoice!

There's more good stuff underneath, including tweaked suspension and an M sports braking system as well as a set of 18-inch M alloys.

Thing is, when they build it there'll still be space above it for a new full-fat 1-Series M. And if you look at the power of the last-gen 135i (just over 306bhp) and the 1-Series M (335bhp), you'd assume the next 1M would have to be near 400bhp to give itself some clear ground. Which is ridiculous.

So, d'you want this or would you prefer to wait for the next proper 1M?

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