The new BMW 1 Series received a predictable lukewarm welcome into the world. The old 1 Series was loved for the simple fact that it was RWD in a sea of FWD hatches. Therefore, replacing that model would be a tough pill to swallow. The new 1 Series is definitely trying, but for ‘purists’ it will never be enough. That’s even truer for the M Performance model in the range, the M135i xDrive, as it can’t really match the excitement provided by the old M140i.
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With a straight six under the hood and all the power going to the rear axle, that was a hard to beat recipe. Even thought that was a brilliant car all on its own, it was never considered by BMW a true ‘M’ car and they never tried to sell it as such. Could that change with the new model? A new report from Autocar suggests so.
According to their sources, an M model could be in the works as part of the 1 Series range. The problem is, a name for it might be tricky to find.
M1 is definitely out of discussion, as it is reserved for BMW’s one and only supercar to date. Then there’s the 1M nomenclature which was used for another, limited-run, exceptional car. Some might find that association hurtful.
According to the aforementioned source, the upcoming 1 Series-based M model would rely on 400 HP coming out of a 2-liter 4-cylinder engine enhanced by the Motorsport division.
The same mill would be used in a rumored M2 Gran Coupe car to rival the likes of the Mercedes-AMG A45 CLA, while the M 1 Series would take on the brilliant Mercedes-AMG A45 S. That would definitely entail some other changes as well, especially in the transmission department, as the A45 has a couple of tricks up its sleeve in that area.
It’s all just a bit confusing right now and you should definitely take it all in with a grain of salt, mainly because BMW have actually said there is no M car planned for this platform.
However, weirder things have happened in the past.
As far as I remember Klaus Fröhlich said, there will never be a FWD based M Car.
They said many things, but times are quickly changing. Plus, there is a new M CEO
Yes, unfortunately!
They also said, and even made advertisements, about making RWD vehicles only, yet here we are.
Exactely, however I’m wondering if they tweak the X-drive on the 1 series to be rear biased or is that something impossible to acheive ?
“this could become the first ever M car to use a 4-cylinder engine.”
Whatever you guys are smoking.. it must be hella potent LOL
Agreed, wrong statement
BMW credibility at stake here. Are the BMW brand and M brand equity purposefully being devalued?
Cull the current 1 series and start again.
I would be surprised if they manage to sell decent amounts of the new 1 at all, which would render a potential 1 M a huge financial risk.
Just remember KBA statistics, at least for Germany, indicate a very very weak sales start for the new 1 in general.
Question on the M135i/X2 M35i’s X-drive torque distribution…has anyone found any info online that details how that setup works, exactly? I can’t find anything for the life of me specific to those cars that isn’t anecdotal,
What do you mean?
Is it 100% FWD in regular operation till it detects slip aka typical Haldex, or is it 70/30, 60/40, etc? Is there torque vectoring side to side? I can’t find anything official anywhere.
No torque vectoring, maximum 50% to the rear wheels via Haldex clutch. M models are supposed to have an LSD at the front but don’t ask what kind of locking capabilities it has or how it is controlled. I assume it is more on the cheap side just like the whole car. BMW brags with ARB which is a very fast smoother variant of DTC because is reduces engine power according to the available traction (wheel slip) but it has zero stake in actual power distribution which would help making the car faster.
Thanks very much, this is very helpful. Greatly appreciate your input!