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2019 BMW M140i Successor Pushing 2.0-Liter Turbo Hard on the Nurburgring

BMW recently revealed the last hurrah of the rear-wheel drive 1 Series, a very mildly refreshed M140i. But even as we speak, the Germans are working on their transition to the FWD platform used by MINI, and thankfully that transition includes a successor to the M Performance model.
2019 BMW M140i Successor Pushing 2.0-Liter Turbo Hard on the Nurburgring 9 photos
Photo: SB-Medien
2019 BMW M140i Successor Pushing 2.0-Liter Turbo Hard on the Nurburgring2019 BMW M140i Successor Pushing 2.0-Liter Turbo Hard on the Nurburgring2019 BMW M140i Successor Pushing 2.0-Liter Turbo Hard on the Nurburgring2019 BMW M140i Successor Pushing 2.0-Liter Turbo Hard on the Nurburgring2019 BMW M140i Successor Pushing 2.0-Liter Turbo Hard on the Nurburgring2019 BMW M140i Successor Pushing 2.0-Liter Turbo Hard on the Nurburgring2019 BMW M140i Successor Pushing 2.0-Liter Turbo Hard on the Nurburgring2019 BMW M140i Successor Pushing 2.0-Liter Turbo Hard on the Nurburgring
Our latest spyshots come from the Nurburgring and show the baby Bimmer wearing blue brake calipers and an M-specific body kit. While this could just be a heavily modified M Sport model, it doesn't make sense for that to get such arduous track testing.

So it is the M140i's successor, but they are probably not going to call it that. To make the drop in power go down a little easier, BMW is going to deduct 5 from that number and revert to the M135i nomenclature. However, it could also be called M135ix to signal the standard AWD.

While cars like the Honda Civic Type R or Leon Cupra manage to put down 300 horsepower using just the fronts, BMW is probably going to make the M135i xDrive-only. Also, there might not be a manual version, just like in the Mercedes-AMG A45.

Our sources suggest that development is underway for a high-performance B48 2.0-liter unit producing around 320 horsepower, roughly 90 more than the 225i Active Tourer. The engine is also going into the X2 M35i, and we've seen a MINI Clubman JCW re-testing at the 'Ring today as well.

While downsizing a full liter of displacement is bad for performance, moving to the UKL1 architecture means a better balance with practicality. We expect at least 400 liters of trunk space on most models compared to 350 right now.

Engines for the rest of the 1 Series range will be adopted from the MINI and X1 line-ups. Entry-level cars might go as low as a 1.2-liter, but most will use either a 1.5-liter or 2.0-liter engine coupled to a manual or Aisin's 8-speed auto. BMW will also be rolling out a wider range of hybrids and mild hybrids.

A new A-Class is due out in 2018, followed by the Golf 8 and Audi A3 a couple of years from now. So a veritable battle is thus forming over the 2.0-liter hot hatch market, and MINI might even be invited to the brawl.
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About the author: Mihnea Radu
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Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida.
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