Baby BMW M car takes shape
09.12.2009 - Vijay Pattni
(13)
BMW might be building ridiculous M-Power SUVs like the X5 and X6 but this is what they should be making: a storming version of the 1-Series.Tuner WheelSTO has been busy producing the ultimate incarnation of the smallest Beemer money can buy.
The WheelSTO 135i coupe packs a host of tuning goodies from a range of companies to showcase just how good a 1-Series can get - and give BMW a prompter to build an official M-Power 1-Series.
The baby Beemer gets a new front apron, boot spoiler, lowered H&R sport springs, aluminium sport pedals, 19-inch Advan RS alloy wheels in a gunmetal finish, a reprogrammed ECU to up power and M-Power quad exhausts.
No word on power, but expect it to be rather epic. The standard 135i Coupe boasts an award-winning 3-litre twin-turbocharged petrol unit developing a stonking 306bhp and 295lb/ft of pulling power - as much torque as the V8-powered BMW M3.
The standard 135i Coupe sprints from 0-62mph in just 5.3 seconds, equal to the old BMW M3, and tops out at a limited 155mph.
We tested this engine in the fantastic BMW 335i coupe and were blown away by its performance. It snarls like a proper old-school Beemer should, and the power delivery from the turbos was so linear you'd think it was a naturally-aspirated model.
We're guessing WheelSTO aren't finished with this yet, so stay tuned for more updates. Now how about transplating the fabulous 3-litre with a twin-turbo V8...
