There’s A New BMW M135i Coming With 302bhp From Four Cylinders
The new flagship of the next 1-series range will use a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder engine with 302bhp, BMW has confirmed.
We’ve known for some time that the current (and lovely) six-cylinder engine was going to be axed at the end of the current F20/F21 generation car, owing to the switch to a Mini chassis with transverse engines. The i6 simply won’t fit. Now we have confirmation of what will replace it when the all-new 1er arrives.
BMW says the four-pot in question, which will power the M135i, is a newly-developed lump based on an existing 2.0-litre turbocharged block. A reinforced crank and con-rods, a larger turbo and new injector valves have helped boost power to a healthy – and class-competitive – level. It’s the most powerful four-cylinder engine in the BMW Group today.
Importantly, the new M135i will be around 30bhp short of the outgoing M140i’s six-cylinder turbo engine. It’s just speculation, but it seems there’s room for a four-pot M140i at a later stage, if demand is there.
It’s understood at this stage that the M135i will come with xDrive four-wheel drive only and be capable in theory of averaging up to 41.5mpg on its smallest available wheels.
To counter the switch in handling dynamics from rear-wheel drive to front, BMW is introducing electronic dynamic aids as standard. A clever new slip-limiting tech derived from the i3 is integrated into the main ECU manages traction at the front axle and, says BMW, “significantly reduces” power understeer without bothering the stability control.
Brake-based torque vectoring is also standard and will drag the brake on the inside front wheel to tighten a line if needed. The chassis itself should be very stiff thanks to the deliberate and targeted placement of additional struts, including something called a ‘boomerang strut’ at the rear end.
Elsewhere the front-wheel drive 1er will have more rear legroom, more rear headroom and 20 litres more boot space (at 380 litres), all thanks to the switch to the upgraded Mini platform. A launch date for the new car will surely follow soon.
Comments
An M50D doesn’t have a 5.0
A 440i doesn’t have a 4.0
A 328i doesn’t have a 2.8
…and now an M135i doesn’t even have a 6 pot
its easier to market them that way, ‘similar engine, different trim’ they dont have to build an engine for every trim they have
New century bullshit
Bmw should move to the audi style, where they have just a number for the performance class.
Annnnnd America wont get it… again
At this point, its just a lower, more powerful version of the Mimi Countryman
at this point i wouldnt even worry about it, just another 2.0 4cyl transversally mounted fwd based awd hatchback
Will it come with big kidney grilles tho??
Square kidney grilles will be the next big thing, I’m calling it
I reckon it’ll have kidney grilles similar to the new 8 Series.
Well, the styling looks similar to the X2, so it won’t come with big kidney grilles.
I am sorry but with that basically every aspect the 1 series had going for it compared to the competition is gone. Compared to the rest the 35i or 40i had their engine size, layout and setup going for it. Now it´s “just like the rest”. And with looking at most stuff coming out of the BMW headquarters recently I also fear it will look “special”. Already see those X7 kidneys slammed on a hatchback…..
Only think that´s left for me to do is pressing the “F” key.
Same engine as the X2 M40i which, I was told at mini last weekend, will be sharing the engine with the next gen Mini Clubman and Countryman JCWs.
X2 M40i has a straight six if I’m not mistaken
Nvm
The difference between this and it’s rwd sibling is that when you turn off the electronics, the rwd becomes pure fun, this one though, becomes a sucide bomb
Well this is a way to make a great small car be just as rubish as all the rest
Is it just me or a car can look fwd?
I hope the new 1 can still stand out in the crowded performance hot hatch market
FWD is a big handicap for BMW…. except for the Civic Type R….
but the civic isnt a bmw