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M-Power.com: What will the customers be getting for their money?
Biermann: The BMW 1 Series M Coupé is driven by a 3.0 litre inline six cylinder bi turbo engine delivering about 340 hp. This power is transferred exclusively via a six speed manual gearbox. A closer look at the prototypes will reveal many similarities to the chassis, brakes, and rear differential of the BMW M3.
M-Power.com: So what we have is a small BMW M3?
Biermann: To a certain extent, absolutely. Yet, on the other hand, not really. There are parallels between the power and weight of the BMW 1 Series M Coupé (we expect about 1500 kg) and the BMW M3 E46. On the performance side, though, it will be in its own league. We assume that the 1 Series M Coupé will be about ten seconds faster than the M3 predecessor on the Nordschleife. And of course it will have its own particular character.
M-Power.com: Its own particular character is also shown in the first design details. What can we expect here?
Biermann: Of course, we can’t disclose all of the details today. A number of distinctive design details can already be viewed on the internet. In addition, you can expect to find the usual M icons both inside and outside. However, one figure I can give you: the BMW 1 Series M Coupé will be about 80 mm wider than the 135i.
Ik heb ergens een comment gelezen dat de review van autocar verdacht veel lijkt op die van edmuns op insideline.com. Hij/zij heeft absoluut gelijk. Dit ruikt zeer sterk naar pure marketing (en eigenlijk zou het naief zijn om te denken dat er iets aan de 1M nog niet marketing geweest is). Het gebrek aan stuurgevoel lijkt me trouwens nogal raar, aangezien ze expliciet verwijzen naar de e30 en stuurgevoel/driving pleasure daar juist het hoogst is volgens Evo mag.
Ik heb ook mijn bedenkingen bij de overname van de M3 remmen. Het "fading issue" is dus niet opgelost?
Een leeggewicht van 1500kg kan ik dan wel weer toejuichen, niet/weinig zwaarder dan een 135i en 150kg lichter dan een M3.
What is it?
Well, it looks the business. When you see the BMW 1-series M Coupé in the metal, it’s hard not to be impressed. Even with the taped disguise of this pre-production prototype, it is clear that this is more than just a warmed-over version of BMW’s price-leading two-door.
It’s not beautiful. But the added visual muscle and ground-hugging stance of the new entry-level M-car raises expectations of the performance lurking within. It’s a shot of attitude before you’ve even climbed into the contoured driver’s seat and hit the starter button.
The 1-series M Coupé’s new aluminium wings have been widened by 80mm over the steel panels of its standard sibling to accommodate a longer front track and trick new rear axle. Combine this with a 10mm lowering in ride height and you’ve got the basis for a purposeful-looking car whose appearance is enhanced ever further by a deep front bumper that houses cooling ducts for its twin-turbo 3.0-litre straight six engine.
What's it like?
One thing’s for sure: the new M-car doesn’t lack shove. Its engine is a development of the updated unit used in the Z4 sDrive35iS. As with so much of this car’s mechanical package, BMW is not divulging much about it at all. But with a host of typical performance-enhancing changes – including larger turbochargers, additional boost pressure and unique mapping – power and torque are said to be somewhere north of the Z4’s 335bhp and 332lb ft of torque.
The thing that grabs your attention as you pull away is its flexibility. It will accept sixth gear at 1000rpm without any unruly shunt and continue to pull hard towards the business end of the range without any dip in demeanour.
It’s under load in low gears, though, where it does its best work. Planting your foot in second induces the sort of rolling acceleration to match the 414bhp V8 M3 and it feels terrifically urgent right up to its 7000rpm limit.
Apportioning drive is a six-speed manual gearbox, the only choice for buyers. However, the car does get the same rear axle as the M3, complete with its electronically controlled M differential for more engaging driver appeal and big levels of traction. Nothing’s official, but expect a 0-62mph time of around 5.0sec and a top speed limited to 155mph.
Our prototype had clearly led a hard life and was not fully representative of the final production version of the new M-car, which makes its debut at the Detroit motor show in January before going on sale in the UK in May.
Still, there was sufficient evidence to suggest it will be stiff competition for the current crop of performance coupés. Changes to the suspension provide a noticeably more fluid feel than the standard 1-series, with more enthusiastic turn-in and added levels of grip. The electro-mechanical steering, for all its accuracy, delivers little feedback on centre but it is quite direct, at 2.4 turns lock to lock.
There’s a little initial roll, but the lightened body settles quickly to provide a flat cornering stance. And with that trick differential juggling drive between the rear wheels, you can lean on it at the exit without any premature breakaway or activation of the stability control system. The new BMW also rides acceptably, even on the 35-profile rubber fitted to our prototype. It’s firm, but not overly so.
Should I buy one?
So, for out-an-out performance and pure driving dynamics, the 1-series M Coupé is quite an improvement on the already talented 135i coupé upon which it is heavily based. The question is: will potential buyers be prepared to stump up the extra £10,000 to gain membership to the M division club? On looks alone, it will be worth it.
| First Drive | Munich, Germany | BMW 1 Series M Coupé prototype |
We've been waiting some time for an M-badged 1 Series. BMW says its M Division was too busy on other projects to fit it in. Until now. Well, until spring 2011 to be precise, when the 1 Series M Coupé goes on sale. Having been teased with a passenger ride in July, Car Enthusiast has finally had the opportunity to drive a pre-production version of the new Coupé.
In the Metal
As you can see, the car remains under mild camouflage (until December apparently). That can't hide the chunky stance though. It's defined by the width of the track, which is a full 80mm wider than the 135i's. This is determined by the rear axle, which is lifted wholesale from the BMW M3. Rims of 19-inch in diameter will be standard too so squint at the pictures and you're essentially seeing how the new car will look. Yup, with quad exhausts and a tiny lip spoiler on the rear boot lid. We do wonder if BMW will launch the 1 M with a new 1 Series face, as that's surely just around the corner.
The interior of the pre-production car we drove was far from finished, though it has been confirmed that bespoke light grey instruments will feature, as will bucket seats.
What you get for your Money
This is anyone's guess really, as the price for the 1 Series M Coupé won't be announced until the end of 2010. It needs to be less than £40,000 to be taken seriously, though of course there's a VAT increase in January, which won't help. A six-speed manual gearbox will be the only transmission option and the only wheels offered will be 19-inch in diameter. Oh, and we can dispel a few rumours: this is not a limited production model and yes, it will also be sold in the United States.
Driving it
While the 1 M sounds much like the 135i at idle (perhaps a little louder), as soon as you first turn the steering wheel it feels quite different. It's noticeably wider while negotiating tight parking spots, but that matters little when you hit the open road. Then it gets really interesting.
In essence, the 1 Series M Coupé takes the best bits from the Z4 sDrive35is, the M3 and the 1 Series Coupé. The straight-six, twin-turbocharged engine is based on that in the Z4, and though the final homologated figures have yet to be released, we believe peak power is 335bhp and torque is about 340lb.ft. That last figure is significantly more than the M3 has incidentally, and it's what defines the power delivery. It's creamy smooth and urgent from low revs, with a distinct rise in accelerative force as both turbos deliver their best in the mid-range. Our only minor criticism is that it runs out of steam towards the redline so it isn't a car you'll be hitting the rev limiter in regularly.
The six-speed manual gearbox is lifted from the M3, so it retains that car's slightly springy action, but is swift and slick enough. As mentioned, the rear axle, incorporating the M differential, is also borrowed from the M3. It doesn't look like any customisation of its setting will be available in the 1 M, but it's still effective. Our relatively short drive revealed instant turn-in and a playful rear end - though it moves about in a safe, predictable manner. In fact, the overriding impression of the car is one of unflappable stability. That's particularly true under braking and over mid-corner bumps. It features standard fixed damping and steel springs by the way, and adaptive damping will not be offered. Two different throttle maps and various stages of traction control will be the extent of driver customisation available.
Worth Noting
BMW brought along a brace of E30 M3s so we could compare the new 1 Series M Coupé to its granddaddy. Apparently the developers of the 1 M used it as inspiration. The idea is one of back to basics - or relatively at least. Hence the lack of as many driver customisation options as in the bigger M cars; no automatic gearbox option; one size of wheel; and one body style. The 1 Series M Coupé is about 85kg lighter than the M3 Coupé, which makes it around 1,500kg.
Summary
The 1 Series M Coupé is one of those cars that could have been a big disappointment. After all, it's difficult not to get excited about a new M car, especially one that supposedly takes its brief from the very first M3. First impressions suggest that buyers are in for a treat.
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