GENEVA MOTOR SHOW: BMW M135i a 'Claytons' concept
Steroidal three-door hatch will go into production, say sources inside BMWA 320-horsepower, tyre-smoking, three-door hatchback will join the M550d xDrive as the headline acts of BMW’s new M Performance Automobiles sub brand in Geneva.
The Concept M135i hatch, which will go public at the show from March 6, will be the first rear drive car and the first petrol car to be offered from the brand, which straddles the gap between the BMW family range and the hotter M cars.
While officially dubbed a “Concept” car for the Geneva Motor Show on March 6, sources insist the M135i will be on sale in Europe as early as July, featuring a version of the N55 turbo-charged, straight-six, 3.0-liter gasoline motor.
BMW admits only that the rear-drive Concept M135i will have “more than 300hp,” though sources insist the production number will be 320 horsepower.
It will combine direct fuel injection with variable valve timing and lift and a twin-scroll turbo-charger to flesh out its torque curve as well, though BMW refuses to confirm a torque figure.
The Concept M135i will upset purists by sitting beneath M’s purer 1-Series M Coupe.
Production plans involve only the three-door hatch, with visual changes including a deeper, more menacing front air intake. The lower intake includes a deep front splitter flanked by a pair of intakes on its sides for cooling.
It will also use wider rear bodywork to accommodate larger, 18-inch wheels and tires along with bigger brakes, while the tail boasts a pair of chrome exhaust tips.
It will have tweaks to its chassis package, too, with stiffer springs, dampers and anti-roll bars and a more aggressive skid-control system for its Sport mode.
There had been widespread rumors that the M Performance Automobiles brand, which launched a week ago with the Europe-only, tri-turbo M550d xDrive, would remain an exclusively diesel and all-wheel drive brand.
The arrival of the Concept M135i confirms BMW’s intention to flesh out its sub brand throughout its full model range. BMW will show four confirmed M Performance Automobiles machines in Geneva, including the wagon version of the M550d xDrive and its X5 and X6 models, along with the “concept” 1-Series.
Read the latest news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at carsales' mobile site...
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
