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Is the New BMW 1 Series Actually Hiding an M1 Badge? Here's What You Need to Know

Is the New BMW 1 Series Actually Hiding an M1 Badge? Here's What You Need to Know
June 5, 2024 - Read FAQs About This Article
The Controversial New BMW 1 Series Badge

While some purists argue that a front-wheel-drive car shouldn't bear the BMW badge, the masterminds in Munich see it differently. The latest iteration of the 1 Series now features transversally mounted engines, including a three-cylinder variant. Dominating the range is the updated M135, conspicuously dropping the ⟨i⟩ from its name. But there’s something more catching the eye when it comes to the rear badge.

A Badge That Raises Eyebrows

Take a closer look at the emblem, and you'll notice a subtle yet significant change. The ⟨M⟩ and ⟨1⟩ retain their size, but the ⟨3⟩ and ⟨5⟩ are smaller, giving an illusion to the untrained eye of it being an M1. That legendary mid-engine supercar, the M1, is long gone – commemorated only by concept cars like the 2008 M1 Hommage and the 2019 Vision M Next.

BMW M135

New BMW M135

The New Aesthetic of M Performance

The M135 isn't your typical hot hatch, now sporting quad exhausts and the signature M mirror design – features previously reserved for the elite M models. Intriguingly, this isn't the first departure with updated badging design to potentially confuse buyers. When the M760e launched in 2022, it featured the ⟨M⟩ and ⟨7⟩ in a larger font, with subsequent numbers smaller. It happened again with the M135, making it seem like a more prestigious model than it is.

Old <a href=BMW M135i" />

Old BMW M135i

BMW's Badge Conundrum

Interestingly, this deviation isn't consistent across the board. Case in point: the 2025 M440i sticks with the traditional badge design, as do some electric models like the i5 M60 and iX M60. The German automaker faces a balancing act. With a diverse range of M Performance and M models, achieving a universal badge formula is a herculean task. Beyond aesthetics, these changes underline BMW’s effort to blur the lines between M Lite and authentic M cars.

BMW M760e Badge

BMW M760e Badge

Bridging the Gap

It’s clear that BMW is narrowing the gap between M Lite and true M models, at least visually. When reporting M division sales, even the near-M vehicles are included. Astonishingly, the i4 M50 was the best-selling BMW M model through 2022 and 2023, surpassing the full-fledged M3 Sedan.

BMW M440i

BMW M440i

Probing Deeper: Is It All About Marketing?

BMW’s revised badging strategy feels like a clear move to turbocharge marketing efforts. Does the aesthetic shift serve to bring prestige to a broader range of models? The implication is that BMW seeks a universal appeal for their sporty M badge, capitalizing on its famed legacy to boost sales across their lineup. It seems, for BMW, that making their M Lite cars appear closer to full M cars is a calculated move with significant payoffs.

Gallery: 2025 BMW 1 Series

Enjoy scrolling through the latest images of the redefined BMW 1 Series.

Source: BMW

Frequently Asked Questions

Some purists argue that a front-wheel-drive car shouldn't bear the BMW badge, but the latest 1 Series models feature transversally mounted engines, including a three-cylinder variant.

In the BMW M135 rear badge, the ⟨M⟩ and ⟨1⟩ retain their size, but the ⟨3⟩ and ⟨5⟩ are smaller, giving an illusion of it being an M1 to the untrained eye.

The new M135 features quad exhausts and the signature M mirror design, previously reserved for elite M models, distinguishing it as an M Performance model.

BMW is narrowing the visual gap between M Lite and true M models, with even near-M vehicles like the i4 M50 included in M division sales, showcasing a shift towards a more universal appeal for the sporty M badge.

BMW's revised badging strategy appears to be a strategic move to enhance marketing efforts by bringing prestige to a broader range of models and boosting sales across their lineup by aligning M Lite cars closer to full M cars.
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