Five years of development and a host of technical innovations: when it was launched, the BMW M135i xDrive F40 set new standards in its vehicle class. Traction, driving stability, agility and cornering dynamics reached unprecedented levels. For the first time, all components relevant to driving dynamics were interlinked, and state-of-the-art control systems were used, which operate in the millisecond range and respond up to ten times faster than conventional systems. Combined with improved chassis stability, individual design features and a powerful four-cylinder engine, the BMW M135i xDrive F40 took driving dynamics to a new level.
5 POWERFUL FACTS:
- Most powerful BMW four-cylinder engine at the time
- Max. output: 225 kW (306 hp)
- Max. torque: 450 Nm
- From 0 to 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds
- Intelligent all-wheel drive system BMW xDrive as standard
A REAL SHARK LOOK.
A REAL SHARK LOOK.
Looking at the car front, the BMW M135i xDrive F40 shows its new look right off with a reinterpretation of classic BMW design features. The designers of the sporty compact model gave the BMW kidney grille a very special twist: it features a striking mesh pattern inspired by motorsport, with a three-dimensional grid instead of the classic kidney bars. Furthermore, the headlights are set at an angle, giving the vehicle a fresh, dynamic appearance.
Highlights of the exterior design include the distinctive shark nose and the pronounced wedge shape of the body. This is complemented by an overall flat window graphic that ends in the Hofmeister kink in the C-pillar. A few clear, precise lines and pronounced, sculpted surfaces give the BMW M135i xDrive an athletic appearance.
ATHLETIC APPEARANCE.
ATHLETIC APPEARANCE.
Expressive surfaces and striking tailpipes in Cerium Grey with a diameter of 100 millimetres at the rear round off the sporty appearance. The spontaneously responsive M sports steering improves the driving experience, especially in dynamic corners, while the M sports brakes offer plenty of reserves at all times.
To perfect this driving experience, optional M sports seats were available for the interior of the compact performer, offering optimum support even when pushing hard on the track.
MOST POWERFUL FOUR-CYLINDER.
MOST POWERFUL FOUR-CYLINDER.
The BMW M135i xDrive F40 is powered by what was then the most powerful series-production four-cylinder engine from Munich. With a displacement of 2.0 litres, the B48 engine delivers an impressive 225 kW (306 hp), which corresponds to a maximum output of 112.6 kW (153 hp) per litre. Maximum power is available between 4,500 and 6,250 rpm, while maximum torque of 450 Nm is available between 1,750 and 5,000 rpm. The performance-four-cylinder engine reaches an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h. Power is transmitted by the standard 8-speed Steptronic Sport transmission, whose race start mode allows a sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.8 seconds. The powerful combination of 8-speed Steptronic and intelligent xDrive all-wheel drive is complemented in the BMW M135i xDrive F40 by the newly developed mechanical Torsen limited-slip differential.This limited-slip differential is integrated into the sports transmission on the front axle and improves traction, driving stability, agility and cornering dynamics.
NEW ASSISTANT SYSTEMS.
NEW ASSISTANT SYSTEMS.
In addition, the torsional rigidity of the body has been increased compared to the previous model, which has led to further optimisation of the handling characteristics, especially during dynamic driving. An important component for the optimised driving experience is the ARB technology, which has been installed in an M GmbH combustion engine for the first time. The control system implements a significantly finer and faster regulation of the drive forces in the millisecond range. Due to the extremely short signal paths, information is transmitted up to ten times faster than in conventional systems. This noticeably improves handling in every conceivable driving situation, from acceleration to lane changes to cornering.
ENHANCED DYNAMICS.
ENHANCED DYNAMICS.
With the model update in 2021, M GmbH further refined the extremely agile characteristics of the BMW M135i xDrive F40. Detailed refinements to its model-specific chassis technology have resulted in further improvements in driving dynamics, ensuring precise controllability even on the racetrack. This was achieved, among other things, by increasing the camber values on the front axle and revising the longitudinal and transverse link bearings on the rear axle. At the same time, the suspension and damping systems were readjusted. The result: optimised driving characteristics allowing to explore the car’s performance limits with confidence, especially when cornering at speed.
