Spy Shots: New BMW M135i with 320HP 3.0-liter Turbocharged Six

Earlier this week, BMW blew the covers off the first models of its new M Performance sub-brand, namely the M550d, X5 M50d and X6 M50d.

But that's only the beginning as the German firm plans to expand the range to include if not all, most of its models including the 1-Series five-door hatchback, a prototype of which our scoop photographers caught while testing in Europe (albeit with a fake 118i moniker on the tailgate).

So far, the most powerful model of the new 1-Series hatch is the recently announced 125i sporting a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine that puts out 218bhp and 310Nm (228 lb-ft) propelling the five-door model to 100km/h (62mph) in 6.4 seconds and on to a maximum velocity of 245 km/h (152mph).

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BMW Shows its New M Performance Tri-Turbo Diesel-Powered Models on Film

Following on from yesterday's official presentation, BMW has published the first video on its M Performance range that launches in Europe with the M550d xDrive Sedan and Touring, X5 M50d and X6 M50d models, all powered by a new 381-horsepower, 3.0-liter tri-turbocharged straight-six diesel.

Prepared by the Bavarian firm's M division, the new M Performance models blend M Sport styling cues with M tuned engines and chassis components – and yes, we did notice that there are a lot of M's there. We'll just have to wait and see if those M's will actually make BMW buyers go mmmmm… Make the jump to view the short clip.

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BMW M Performance Brand Kicks off with New M550d, X5 M50d and X6 M50d, All Powered by a Tri-Turbo Diesel

The first examples of BMW's newly launched M Performance Automobiles lineup were introduced today ahead of their world premiere at the Geneva International Motor Show in the second week of March.

The new models are the M550d xDrive sedan, M550d xDrive Touring, X5 M50d and X6 M50d, and as their names suggest, they're all powered by the same diesel engine and feature the Bavarian firm's xDrive all-wheel drive system.

And before you get your hopes high, we'd better tell you that none of them are planned for the US market.

BMW's M Performance Automobiles sub-brand was created to offer a diverse lineup of models with a wide choice of engines including diesels not only to compete with Audi's S range, but as we reckon, also to avoid further dilution of the M division.

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The Coolest BMW M5 Badge Ever

If what they say about photography being the art of capturing the beauty of the moment and freezing it forever in time is true, then the person who took this picture of the new BMW M5 saloon's badge has accomplished the goal in the most literal sense of the phrase.

Head over the break for a high-resolution version of the image.

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BMW Talks About its new Range of M Performance Cars

After a shopping spree in the 1990s, which saw the BMW Group acquire the California based industrial design studio DesignworksUSA, the British Rover Group and the rights to the Rolls Royce nameplate, the Bavarian company cooled down and focused on building up the range of its three core brands: BMW, MINI and Rolls Royce while selling off MG Rover.

Today, the BMW brand already comprises of two unique sub-brands developed under the M and the "i" monikers for its high-performance and for its electric cars, plug-in hybrids and other alternative-power vehicles respectively.

But the Bavarians aren't done yet as following the example of Audi and it's S range that slots between the regular and RS models, they are readying a third sub brand called M Performance that will be positioned under the automaker's M models.

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