BMW M135i facelift details revealed

BMW has revealed images of the M135i facelift. It comes shortly after the carmaker revealed details about the upcoming 1-series facelift.

The M135i gets the same powertrain as the M235i, ie it gets a 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine producing 322bhp and 46kgm of torque. It can go from 0-100 in 5.1 seconds, or in 4.9 seconds if the optional eight-speed automatic transmission is used. However, this power output is still shy of segment rivals - Mercedes A45 AMG and Audi RS3.

As reported earlier, the 1-series facelift will get a restyled front mainly due to the revised engines, some of which need greater cooling than before. It gets larger air intakes, as a result. BMW has reshaped the headlights too - they are more rectangular than before, with space for revised lens units. At the back, the tail-lights are now more in line with BMW's family style, thanks to a shallower main unit and distinctive 'blades' that run in from the edges of the rear hatch itself. They also get LED technology as standard across the range. All these changes will make their way to the M version of the 1-series.

The six-cylinder hot BMW hatch will go on sale in international markets after it makes its public debut at the Geneva motor show in March.