2020 BMW M135i xDrive Gets Sporty Look With M Performance Parts

It was only a few hours ago when BMW unveiled the all-new 1 Series and now the company's reinvented entry-level car is ready to put on an M Performance suit. Shown here on the flagship M135i xDrive, these extras fitted to the hot hatch represent the pinnacle of the 1 Series lineup in terms of performance taking into consideration BMW has ruled out full-fat M versions of its front-wheel-drive-based cars.

Aside from the obvious visual tweaks, more important upgrades are represented by hardware revisions such as 18-inch M Performance brakes with bigger perforated and vented discs at the front axle. Finished in red, the beefy four-piston calipers are made from aluminum alloy to shave off weight and hug enlarged perforated and vented discs. At the back, the brakes also take advantage of the lightweight construction and feature single-piston floating calipers.

The M Performance Parts catalog tailored to the BMW 1 Series / M135i xDrive includes a variety of 18- and 19-inch alloy wheels, some of which are recommended for summer use while others have been engineered for the winter to easily accommodate snow chains. Some of the rims come with a jet black matte look while others adopt a two-tone finish. The fresh shoes can be complemented by a wheel bag to store and transport them without worrying about potential scratches or other damages.

The black decals on the sides of the compact posh hatchback are part of the package and add visual pizzazz, as do the several glossy black accents on the sportier body. The side mirror caps, as well as the diffuser at the back, are made from actual carbon fiber to save weight, and BMW says all the body pieces have been optimized in the wind tunnel for maximum aerodynamic performance.

Open the doors and you'll be greeted by the BMW M Performance logo displayed onto the ground thanks to the LED projector mounted at the bottom of the door card. Interestingly, there two other images that can be shown in a bid to create what the automaker describes as being a "very exclusive, distinctive atmosphere."

Once you're inside, there are several upgrades here and there over the standard car. A relevant example is the M Performance steering wheel wrapped in Alcantara and fitted with the 12 o'clock position in red to contrast the silver/gray stitching. Should you want to go all out, there's even the option of combining real carbon fiber with leather or Alcantara. For the 1 Series models equipped with the automatic transmission, carbon fiber shift paddles are available. Rounding off the list of niceties are the velvet velour floor mats adorned by the "M Performance" lettering.