BMW 335IS

The BMW 335is, a sporty variant of the E92/E93 3 Series, arrived in 2011. It bridged the gap between the standard 335i and the M3.

It used a modified N54 engine, boosting output to 320 hp. The "is" stood for "injection system." It had unique styling cues and performance upgrades.

The 335is ended production in 2013. The F32/F33 4 Series replaced the E92/E93 3 Series coupe/convertible. There was no direct "is" successor in the 4 Series.

Few know BMW initially planned a full M version of the E92, positioned below the M3. Codenamed "M3 Lite," it would have used a high-output turbocharged engine. The project was scrapped due to concerns about cannibalizing M3 sales. The 335is emerged as a compromise, offering increased performance without directly challenging the M3.