2013 BMW 135i Three-door Spied At The ‘Ring

BMW's 1 Series range is set to get a new hero, with the upcoming 135i spied testing at the Nurburgring this week, just months after the unveiling of the current 125i flagship. 

The launch of the new top-shelf hatch is likely to coincide with the unveiling of the 1 Series three-door body, shown here as the 135i and in earlier shots of the lesser variants.

Expect the new model to pack the same 225kW/400Nm turbocharged inline six-cylinder petrol engine that drives the 3 Series and the old 135i.

The recently-revealed M135i "concept" could also debut in three-door form, which delivers "more than 300hp (225kW)" and will likely form part of the enhanced M Performance range when it hits showrooms.

The car spied here is wearing the same bits fitted to the M135i concept, including larger 18-inch wheels and M styling elements. 

With the three-door 1 Series on the way, will we see a Coupe and Cabriolet in the range?

While those bodystyles are likely, reports over the past year suggest BMW will give the pair a new 2 Series badge and their own unique styling.

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