Spy Shots: New BMW M135i with 320HP 3.0-liter Turbocharged Six

Earlier this week, BMW blew the covers off the first models of its new M Performance sub-brand, namely the M550d, X5 M50d and X6 M50d.

But that's only the beginning as the German firm plans to expand the range to include if not all, most of its models including the 1-Series five-door hatchback, a prototype of which our scoop photographers caught while testing in Europe (albeit with a fake 118i moniker on the tailgate).

So far, the most powerful model of the new 1-Series hatch is the recently announced 125i sporting a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine that puts out 218bhp and 310Nm (228 lb-ft) propelling the five-door model to 100km/h (62mph) in 6.4 seconds and on to a maximum velocity of 245 km/h (152mph).

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BMW Adds 125i, 125d and 116d EfficientDynamics Edition Plus M Sports Package to New 1-Series

The new 1-Series five-door hatchback is the next BMW after the 3-Series to benefit from the addition of a fresh batch of engines. The new models presented in Europe are the diesel-powered 125d and 116d EfficientDynamics Edition, and the gasoline-powered 125i.

Beginning with the latter, the 125i gets a new 2.0-litre four-cylinder gasoline with a twin-scroll turbocharger and direct injection delivering 218bhp at 5,000 rpm and peak torque of 310Nm (228 lb-ft) between 1,350 and 4,800 rpm. With a six-speed manual, the 125i sprints to 100km/h (62mph) in 6.4 seconds (8-speed automatic transmission: 6.5 seconds), reaching a top speed of 245 km/h or 152mph (243 km/h).

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BMW Factory Tour Shows us what it Takes to build the New 1-Series Hatch

Modern automobile plants are an impressive sight to watch in action, but few outsiders actually get the chance to see one in person.

BMW wants to give us a taste of how one of its main factories in Germany located in the city of Regensburg works to produce the latest 1-Series five-door hatchback through a quick video tour of the plant.

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SCOOP: Design Patents of 2012 BMW 1-Series in Three-Door Trim Appear in China

Earlier this year, BMW lifted the curtains on the second generation of its 1-Series model range with the launch of the five-door hatchback model.

We already knew that the Bavarians were working on expanding the series with a number of body styles including a three-door hatchback, the two-door coupe and cabriolet and possibly, a longer Gran Turismo version similar to the upcoming 3-Series GT.

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Hyundai America Nabs BMW Designer Christopher Chapman

If there's one thing that Hyundai and Kia can lay claim to, is that both companies eventually understood the importance of design and made significant efforts to improve the styling of their vehicles in the past few years.

To achieve their goal, the Koreans didn't hesitate to bring in experienced designers from other brands, with the most notable transfer being that of Peter Schreyer from Audi who took over and revolutionized Kia's design language.

The South Korean group continues to inject its brands with foreign designers, with its latest hire being Christopher Chapman of former BMW fame. Chapman was named chief designer of the Hyundai Design Center in Irvine, California, and will be responsible for new vehicle and concept design for Hyundai.

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Essen Motor Show: AC Schnitzer Adds Speed and Style to New BMW 1-Series F20

Making its world premiere at this week's 2011 Essen Motor Show in Germany is AC Schnitzer's tuning program for the new BMW 1-Series F20 hatchback with both styling and performance upgrades.

AC Schnitzer starts with a power kit that is available initially on the four-cylinder diesel models of the 1-Series, which get a reprogrammed engine control unit and other unspecified mods. In the 118d, output is lifted from 143HP to 171HP, while in the 120d, from 184HP to 210HP.

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BMW Releases New Power Kits for 135i and 335i that Boost Output to 320HP

BMW's North American division has set its eyes on the lucrative aftermarket business with the releases of two performance packages for the 135i Coupe and 335i models.

The stage 1 and 2 Power Kits for the aforementioned models are fully covered under BMW of North America’s limited warranty and can be retrofitted at BMW centers or via the Port Installation Program.

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New BMW 1-Series Origins Promo Series Screens Classic Films

BMW has decided to celebrate the Frankfurt Motor Show launch of its all-new 1-Series by producing the “Origins Film Season” in collaboration with Picturehouse Cinema. The “Origins” season, which starts on September 19, will run simultaneously with the advertising campaign that uses the same thing to underline the different variants of BMW’s base model. Read more »

IAA 2011: AC Schnitzer Puts 400-Horses Under the Bonnet of the BMW 1-Series M Coupé

While BMW officials were content with the new 1-Series M Coupé's 340-horsepower strong, the German tuning industry thinks otherwise.

Just before the grand opening of the largest motor show of the year that takes place in Frankfurt from September 13 to 25, AC Schnitzer released details on its comprehensive tuning package for the smallest member of the BMW M family.

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BMW to Show New 1-Series Performance Concept and New Power Kits in Frankfurt

While the new 2012 1-Series luxury hatchback and M5 sports saloon along with the i3 hatchback and i8 sports coupe concept will highlight BMW's presence in Frankfurt, the Munich-based carmaker has a lot more in store for the press and visitors alike.

BMW will display a range of new accessories and Performance packages, as well as Performance concept car based on the new 1-Series.

The study was developed in cooperation with BMW’s M-division and it features a Performance aerodynamics package comprising of new front and rear bumpers, side skirts, a rear diffuser, bespoke body trim and graphics, and a roof spoiler.

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APP Europe Turns up the Wick on BMW 1 M Coupe with 410HP Tune

The new BMW 1 M Coupe is by no means a slow car but for those looking to push themselves into new arenas of performance European tuning house APP has assembled a new package comprising of mechanical and styling mods.

To improve performance, APP Europe turned to MR Car Design that developed a new kit for the 3.0-liter turbocharged straight six, which includes a larger intercooler, ECU upgrade and a lightweight, titanium sport exhaust system boosting output from 340-horses to 410-horses.

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iPhone Video Review of New BMW 1-Series

British motoring show Fifth Gear flew over to Germany to try out the new 2012 BMW 1-Series hatchback.

The TV show's crew was going to film the first test drive of the Bavarian model on a normal camera but a mishap forced them to shoot the entire clip through one of their Apple iPhones (it probably looks better than it sounds).

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New BMW Family Activity Sports Tourer Scooped, gets Front-Wheel Drive

Once upon a time, not too long ago, you could count BMW's model series on one hand. For example, in the 1980s you had the 3-Series, the 5-Series, the 6-Series and the 7-Series.

Nowadays, you need both hands and very soon, that is after the launch of the two i-Series models and the rumored introduction of more nameplates into the range, you'll probably lose track even if you asked a friend to lend a helping hand…

One of the newest and perhaps most controversial projects BMW is working on now is the development of a new front-wheel drive hatchback currently known by the acronym F.A.S.T. which stands for Family Activity Sports Tourer.

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BMW 1-Series M Coupe Crash No3: South Africa Edition

In what is quickly becoming a rather alarming trend, we have the third reported crash involving the new BMW 1-Series M Coupe.

After the heavy fender bender in South Korea that we told you about on July 22 and the Polish mishap on July 29, today we bring you a more serious incident that occurred in South Africa, courtesy of 1Addict forum member Dossantr on behalf of his unnamed friend that owns the white 1 M Coupe.

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BMW Prices All-New 1-Series Hatch from £19,375 in the UK [New Photo Gallery]

The bosses over at BMW's British division have released pricing on the second-generation 1-series hatchback before it goes on sale in the UK on September 17, 2011.

The redesigned five-door hatchback will launch with a choice of three diesel and two petrol engines, with on-the-road prices starting from £19,375 for a 116i ES rising to £24,720 for a 120d Urban or a 120d Sport.

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BMW 1-Series M Coupe Crash No2

Less than a week after we told you about the first recorded BMW 1 Series M Coupe accident, we now have the second mishap regarding the Bavarian firm's turbocharged sports model.

This accident took place in Poland when the driver reportedly lost control of the 340HP rear-wheel drive BMW sending the small coupe to the side of the road and into the grass. Fortunately for the owner, no other car was involved in the incident and the exterior damages appear to be fairly limited.

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This is what a New BMW 1 M Coupe Looks Like after a Heavy Fender Bender

The brand-new BMW 1 M Coupe hasn’t been around from more than a few months, but we already have the first recorded accident of which we know about.

The unlucky owner of the car, who is from South Korea, posted these photos of the mishap over at the BMW 1Addicts forum. He said that he was the first customer to receive one of the 80 BMW 1 M Coupes scheduled to arrive in the South Korean market.

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BMW Drops 250 Photos of the New and Possibly Last RWD 1-Series Hatchback

We have already seen and reported on the brand-new 2012 BMW 1-Series, which was revealed a couple of months ahead of its world premiere, which is scheduled for the rapidly approaching Frankfurt Motor Show this September.

Nevertheless, if the first batch of photos didn’t do the trick for you, you’ll be happy to know that today, BMW released a massive gallery with some 250 pictures of its compact sized hatchback, which may very well be the last version to feature a rear-wheel drive layout as the Bavarians are rumored to be planning a switch to a front-wheel drive platform for the next generation model.

But enough with the talking. Hop over the jump to check out all the high-res gallery.

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BMW Readying FWD 1-Series GT for 2014 Launch

*2012 BMW 1-Series Hatchback Pictured above

It’s no secret that BMW is getting ready to adopt a front-wheel drive layout for its smaller models including certain versions of the next generation of the 1-Series. BMW’s decision has already sparked a lot of discussions whether its front-wheel drive products will remain true to the brand’s “ultimate driving machine” motto or an insult to the company’s heritage.

Now it seems that the day we will see the first front-wheel drive BMW is closer than we thought. According to Autocar magazine, the 1-Series GT, which is said to be a more practical version featuring a high-rising tail like the 5-Series GT, will be the first BMW to adopt front-wheel drive. Its launch is scheduled for 2014.

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Kanye West Beware: BMW’s 1-Series Composes its Own Music

It’s a fact that car manufacturers go to great lengths to promote their new products. Traditional means like TV and press advertising are so last year –and so is celebrity endorsement, though they are still employed by the carmakers. However, the new place to be are the social media, like Facebook, Twitter and Youtube.

BMW has gone one step further in promoting its brand-new 2012 1-Series: it has created a video clip named “check my machine” which shows the process of manufacturing the car.

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