(continued from above)
Simultaneously with the world premiere of the first BMW M Performance
automobiles, BMW's concept study of a further model from this new product
category will be showcased on the media days (6 - 7 March 2012) at this year's
Geneva International Motor Show. The body design of the BMW Concept M135i
assigns the youthful and sporty looks of the new BMW 1 Series to a three-door
compact model, complementing it with the distinctive athleticism so typical of a
BMW M Performance automobile.
Concept Study of the Three-Door BMW 1 Series
Compared with the silhouette of the five-door BMW 1 Series, the three-door BMW
Concept M135i makes an even more sporting and elegant statement. On the whole,
the car has a more dynamic and elongated appearance. Viewed from the side, the
car's athletic, low-slung appearance and its nearness to the road are even more
intensely expressed by an entirely horizontal contour line in the area of the
doorsills. A dynamically rising character line symbolizes the BMW Concept
M135i's urge to move forwards.
The wide doors are a further characteristic feature of the BMW Concept M135i's
body design. Together with the rear side windows, the frameless windows form a
coherent window surface reaching back to the rear end, accentuating the body's
dynamically stretched appearance.
In addition, the surface design in the area of the rear side panels helps above
all to emphasize the powerfully flared wheel arches. The visual accentuation of
this part of the body directs the eye to the rear wheels, where the power of the
six-cylinder power plant is transformed into driving dynamics in typical BMW
manner.
Characteristics Typical of a BMW M Performance Automobile
With its sporty appearance, the compact three-door car authentically conveys the
typical qualities of BMW Performance automobiles to yet another vehicle segment.
BMW M Performance automobiles offer an ideal symbiosis of outstanding
performance and everyday suitability. Using the expertise gained by the BMW M
division from decades of motor racing experience, the supreme performance of its
tremendously powerful engines specifically designed to suit each model, the
meticulously modified suspension technology and the aerodynamic characteristics
are all combined into a harmonious overall concept. As a result, BMW M
Performance automobiles have noticeably increased agility, precisely
controllable handling characteristics and an emotional design. One look at the
BMW Concept M135i and the qualities crucial to that characteristic M Performance
feeling are instantly evident.
The employment of a straight six-cylinder petrol power plant featuring M
Performance Twin Power Turbo technology with a power output of more than 300 hp
creates the ideal prerequisites for maximum dynamics in the premium compact
segment and, in conjunction with rear-wheel drive concept still unique in this
vehicle class, ensures unsurpassed driving pleasure so typical of a BMW.
Moreover, the characteristic handling precision of BMW M Performance automobiles
is obtained through model-specific suspension technology that includes an M
sports braking system and is perfectly adapted to match the supreme road
performance. 18-inch M light alloys with a double spoke design additionally
complement the concept car's sporting character.
The rear of the BMW M135i Concept emphasizes the vehicle's width.
BMW M135i Concept: Review (2/2)
