2011 BMW 135i Coupe Gives Up Twin-Turbo for Single Turbo N55 Engine

BMW 135i

Double-Clutch Transmission also confirmed

After months of speculation, BMW has officially confirmed the 2011 135i will be given a variety of performance upgrades.

Like the redesigned 535i, the 135i will drop the current 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-six for the new twin-scroll turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six (dubbed the N55). While it doesn't sound like a huge change (both engines produce 300 hp and 300 lb-ft of torque), BMW says the new engine will offer "better throttle response and even more fuel efficiency."

More importantly, the 135i will be offered with an optional 7-speed Double-Clutch Transmission (DCT). It features dedicated paddles for upshifting (right paddle) and downshifting (left paddle) as well as a console-mounted e-shifter.

Look for the updated 135i to start arriving at US dealerships this spring.

Source: BMW

show/hide press release

New twin-scroll turbocharged inline six highlights the changes

Woodcliff Lake, NJ - January 11, 2010... BMW's EfficientDynamics philosophy continues with the 2011 135i Coupe and Convertible models which feature the company's latest twin-scroll turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six cylinder engine. Both models will feature the 7-speed Double-Clutch Transmission (DCT) as an option.

The new six-cylinder (N55 designation) develops maximum output of 300 hp at 5,800 rpm, with peak torque of 300 lb-ft available all the way from 1,200-5,000 rpm. This is the same level of performance as the current 3.0-liter twin-turbo six-cylinder but with the innovation of twin-scroll technology and the integration of VALVETRONIC throttle-less intake technology, this new engine promises even better throttle response and even more fuel efficiency. Thanks to VALVETRONIC, VANOS, and the twin-scroll turbocharger housing, peak torque is reached 100rpm earlier than with the previous engine, and engine boost response is improved across the entire engine speed range.

In order to enhance the sporting character of the optional 7-speed Double-Clutch Transmission, the shift paddles now feature dedicated paddles for upshifting and down shifting. The driver now pulls the right paddle for upshifts and the left for down shifts. Manual shifts may also be accomplished via the console mounted e-shifter.

Harman Kardon Surround Sound System replaces HiFi System Professional as the upgrade sound system option.

The 2011 BMW 135i Coupe and Convertible will go on sale in the United States as 2011 models in Spring 2010.

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Comments (23)

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dbehmoaras

If they want to improve, I say let them.

January 12, 2010 10:41 pm

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PawL

this...or the tt-rs? hmmm..

January 12, 2010 10:53 pm

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2 replies

brocky

That's a huge difference in money. For the price of a TT-RS, I'd look into an M3.

January 13, 2010 4:22 am

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migass

Oh, i wish in Portugal the prices were lower like in the rest of europe, here, a 135i costs as much as an m3 in Germany, its something like 60.000? without extras! and the tt-rs 72.800?, the M3 goes to the awesome price of 104.000?! pretty cool henh?! i'm not even going to talk about the r8...lolol you can imagine!

January 13, 2010 10:07 am

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Jeremiah Clarksonius

They could do a few more things to it... like, making it nicer to look at... That would be a huge improvement! About the engine, I think it is one of the best engines I have ever came across.

January 12, 2010 11:18 pm

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Lamborghini

The TTRS is sick PawL, I just had a ride in one a week ago. It is extremely fast! The owner told me that he drove the R8, but the TTRS is almost as fast, for a lot less money. I would certainly go for the TTRS, even though I love the 135i.

January 12, 2010 11:21 pm

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3 replies

LWKH

Pity the TTRS does not look as good as the 135i, unless you're a female.

January 13, 2010 4:47 am

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ShinyG

I'd always buy an ugly but proper RWD coupe than a tricked out Golf...

January 13, 2010 7:18 am

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sub39h

work a little harder in school and buy an M3. what a pointless (and ugly) car. Cayman would sh!t all over it

January 13, 2010 2:00 pm

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Jed

As fast as a R8 :) only a tt-rs owner would say a thing like that. You will also be going fast when you understeer it into the barrier. The R8 is streets ahead of the tt.

January 13, 2010 6:06 am

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good job guys. 2 posts down and you guys manage to steer the discussion away from the topic. this is so wcf. back to the bmw. i wonder how this n55 performs.

January 13, 2010 7:53 am

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ricer8

Like all BMW turbos, it needs a much better intercooler system to do any lapping days. The motor is good for 1-3 laps and then the ECU dials the power way back due to overheating the turbos. Too bad, there are many after market fixes but they of course void the warranty. This probably doesn't matter for the market segment they are after, which is not the core enthusiast. I bet they didn't fix this because the motor probably cant handle boosting long term like Porsche, Audi, or Subaru.

January 13, 2010 10:27 am

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1 reply

benz_man

The oil cooler absence on early build, sport-package-less N54's is the problem. The Castrol overheats and can't provide efficient heat absorption with everything packaged so tightly under the hood. BMW will retro-fit an oil cooler free of charge if you can prove that you need one... and not for track days. That voids the warranty too... I've seen warranties voided for repeat buyers because of time-slips left in the car during service! The N54 is nice. The N55, with a twin-scroll AND Valvetronic, will be even nicer.

January 13, 2010 6:43 pm

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bmwaddict

This little prick is going to be really expensive, especially with the DCT transmission.

January 13, 2010 10:39 am

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smythe

LWKH you are a complete idiot if you think the 135 is better looking than the TTRS. You are always praising the 135 even though the front end is HIDEOUS

January 13, 2010 6:23 pm

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Skulinex

The front just needs some refreshment, it's after all it's pretty much the same front design for the past what, 6 years I think? now give me a real LSD and proper wheel fitment and we'll be talking business..

January 13, 2010 11:37 pm

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MTC

This car needs a facelift and lower pricing

January 14, 2010 1:49 am

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Targa_Florio

It simply needed the updated twin-turbo with 340hp like in the Z4 sDrive 35iS, the single twin-scroll turbo would be good for "standard" 335i/535i/735i, but putting this engine on the sportiest 1-series is stupid. And yes it is quite good value, there are no competitor with this power & level of interior quality at this price.

January 14, 2010 1:33 pm

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Uptohere

Great mechanics and what sounds to be an awesome engine. But send this car to the plastic surgeon post-haste!!

January 14, 2010 2:54 pm

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fusion01

awesome car

January 14, 2010 5:08 pm

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Regenold

I actually own a 135i and understand beauty is in eye of beholder... however, you really need to see the 135i in person before you dispariage its looks. Everyone that has seen my all black 135i with Sport Pkg has remarked on what a beautiful car it is.

February 12, 2010 7:20 pm

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Supercarlover

I agree, I didn't fall in love with this car til I saw it in person. In person, it looks aggressive, cute and sporty. The 2009 135i that I test drove was zippy as hell and had killer brakes. Like many have said, it is almost too sensitive and u really have to feather the pedals. However, the other day I test drove a 2010 135i with m sport package and either the 2010 is really different than the 09 or there was something seriously wrong with the car. It was no where near as powerful or zippy as the 09, and there was a strong smell of burnt clutch or something at the end of the drive. Does anyone know if the 09 has a different engine/parts than the 2010? Do the late 2010s have the single twin scrolling turbo already and that was the problem with the car I drove? Thanks in advance.

March 2, 2010 8:48 am

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