BMW’s high-performance M division previews potential M135i replacement
BMW M has issued a teaser video of what’s thought to be a heavily revised version of the BMW M135i xDrive hot hatch.
Set to reach showrooms in the second half of the year alongside other members of the ‘F70’ BMW 1 Series, the 2025 BMW M135i xDrive could emerge with all-new bodywork compared to the current five-door hatch.
No fresh details were released with the Instagram reel, which came with the caption: “Ready for the new 1? First, we celebrate the last 20 years…”
And this: “There is a new ONE coming soon.”
The new M-branded hot hatch is expected to have a more striking body kit with deeper side skirts, a more pronounced front splitter, new tailgate spoiler and quad pipes.
Inside, expect new sport seats and a revised digital instrument cluster and fresh infotainment system.
Under the bonnet, the new M135i xDrive is set to stick with a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder good for around 230kW, although torque could be wound back to 400Nm (-50Nm) as per the latest BMW X1 M35i xDrive.
With that level of power, the new hot hatch should be capable of a sub-4.8sec 0-100km/h dash, on its way to a 250km/h top speed.
Sizing up against the likes of the Audi S3 Sportback and Mercedes-AMG A 35 4MATIC+, the new M135i xDrive is also tipped to feature a new all-wheel drive system that will boast enhanced levels of torque-vectoring with, perhaps, the option of a mechanical front or rear diff option to boost its athleticism.