BMW 1M -- I want!!!

From an interview with BMW's new CEO: Which is your favourite M3? One of my first official acts last year was to test drive our current and our historical models. One of them impressed me particularly: the BMW M3 E30. What is that you especially appreciate in the car? The BMW M3 of the first generation still offers excellent handling and a very special drive feel. It is direct and focused on the essentials - a pure driving machine. And at its time it was unsurpassed. How do you define unsurpassed? Everyone dreams, many people have automobile dreams. So it's important to make these dreams come true. Some decide to make dreams come true for a small group of people. We would like to reach a wider group, and at an earlier time in their lives. Why is there nothing like this today? All models grow, have more equipment features and options which can be freely chosen. Ultimately this is reflected in the vehicle dimensions, weight and price, too. This is why it is one of my most urgent goals to offer a small, affordable M model in the tradition of the very first BMW M3. BMW 1 Series M Coupà . What might such a model be like? This model will be based on the BMW 1 Series Coupà and also be focused on the essentials - the fascination of driving. And it will reflect a love of detail, too. Will the model be called BMW M1? We have discussed this point too. BMW M1 is a name with powerful historical associations. So we have decided to follow our second nomenclature method. In the tradition of the BMW Z4 Roadster and of the current models BMW X5 M and X6 M we will put our brand identifier at the end of the name, so our new model will be called the BMW 1 Series M Coupà . When can we expect to receive further information? We will be publishing more detailed information before Christmas. And we may release the odd detail beforehand. Wait and see! Where will the information be provided? You can register here on M-Power.com. In this way you can be sure not to miss any information on the BMW 1 Series M Coupà . From when will the BMW 1 Series M Coupà be supplied? You can expect the first vehicles to be with customers in the first half of 2011. What else is in store in the near future? There is a lot more for BMW M fans to look forward to in the second half of 2011 as well. We will be presenting the next generation of the BMW M5 with V8 turbo engine. But let's talk about the details another time.

maybe i should just chip my 135i

Originally Posted by HRoi

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maybe i should just chip my 135i

You could, but it wouldn't be the same. We're not just talking increased power, after all. The chassis and suspension modifications are pretty significant. Also, no aftermarket tuner can test mods the same way BMW can when developing an all-around performance upgrade.

that is one ugly interior. Just wait 2 years or so an get the Mitsubishi EVO XI. Probably about 10K cheaper, 350-375 horsepower, and won't be driven by every 20 something banker/lawyer/broker in manhattan.

Originally Posted by edmorel

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that is one ugly interior. Just wait 2 years or so an get the Mitsubishi EVO XI. Probably about 10K cheaper, 350-375 horsepower, and won't be driven by every 20 something banker/lawyer/broker in manhattan.
You don't like the 1-series interior? Come on--it absolutely shames the EVO in that department. Quality- and design-wise it is on par with the 3-series, but less spacious, and more sporty. Here's a 135i interior with all the BMW Performance upgrades. The M interior should be similarly awesome. And all 1-series interiors look best without the navigation system.

yeah, the EVO's interior is very "2fast 2furious" but I do prefer the exterior to the BMW's. The BMW's radio/CD controls are is ugly as sin though.

Originally Posted by edmorel

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yeah, the EVO's interior is very "2fast 2furious" but I do prefer the exterior to the BMW's. The BMW's radio/CD controls are is ugly as sin though.
The 1-series exterior has grown on me. I didn't like it at first, but it is purer of line than first impressions might imply. The only real Bangle element is the swoopy curve at the bottom of the doors, but I don't mind it so much. The headlights could be simplified, too, but every damned car these days has f*cked up headlights. The uprightness of the windshield is an important design feature for the car, and I would not ever want the car to look more rakish. Anybody who is familiar with the BMW cars that made BMW great should "get" what a BMW ought to look like. They have always been taut and compact, but also upright and practical. They're German, after all--meant to be masters of the autobahn, not necessarily of the track. These days, people don't seem to understand that BMW is not a sports car maker, and a rakish, streamlined coupe doesn't make sense within the context of the company's tradition.

HIDEOUS... The one serious dimensions appear to be off, at least to me.

Besides power is said to only be 325-350hp...which is basically around what the 335iS is producing.

I'll keep my 335i 6speed thank you.

Originally Posted by TylerDurden

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I haven't been in a 1 series, is the same size as an E30 coupe or a 2002?

still a bit bigger than the E30, here it is next to one

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=406297

Originally Posted by mafoofan

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You don't like the 1-series interior? Come on--it absolutely shames the EVO in that department. Quality- and design-wise it is on par with the 3-series, but less spacious, and more sporty. Here's a 135i interior with all the BMW Performance upgrades. The M interior should be similarly awesome. And all 1-series interiors look best without the navigation system.
I love the consistency across models and generations. You could look at one tiny portion of the interior of a BMW and instantly know that it is a BMW. The design of the stalks, the knobs, etc. The Japanese could learn from the Germans on that. I do prefer the brushed Al over the carbon fiber though. Unless it's actually used somewhere it saves weight, carbon fiber just looks tacky. Also all 1 and 3 series look best without the navigation. I'm still not a huge fan of the exterior...and it looks like the F20 1 series should be out soon.

Originally Posted by ramuman

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I'm still not a huge fan of the exterior...and it looks like the F20 1 series should be out soon.

It will be undoubtedly heavier, bigger, and have a longer front overhang (due to Euro pedestrian safety regulations). And BMW as a whole is becoming more and more diluted generation by generation. Not looking forward to the F20.

The 1M will only be produced for one year. It sounds like it's the M division's last squeeze-in effort to make a lightweight, truly driver-oriented car.

Originally Posted by mafoofan

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It will be undoubtedly heavier, bigger, and have a longer front overhang (due to Euro pedestrian safety regulations). And BMW as a whole is becoming more and more diluted generation by generation. Not looking forward to the F20. The 1M will only be produced for one year. It sounds like it's the M division's last squeeze-in effort to make a lightweight, truly driver-oriented car.
What the X6 M and the M3 hardtop convertible aren't lightweight driver's cars? I'm still surprised that the E9x M3 has a lighter engine and a carbon fiber roof, yet weighs so much much more than the E46. However, if money were no object, I'd be looking at the E92 and not an E46 .

Is it going to come with manual or it's alos heading the DSG route?

Originally Posted by clee1982

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Is it going to come with manual or it's alos heading the DSG route?
The prototypes have 6-speed manual transmissions. I've heard that it will be a stick-shift only car, without a DCT option--an F.U. to the wannabes. My guess: it will sell very poorly, as today's BMW buyer won't understand the point of such a "small" M car and doesn't see any value in driving stick, so they will never make another car like it again. I would not be surprised if future M cars only come with a double-clutch.

Originally Posted by clee1982

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Is it going to come with manual or it's alos heading the DSG route?

My guess is it will come with the 6MT and the DCT for the first generation or two, but within two generations, every M will be DCT. Hell, even Ferrari is phasing out manual gearboxes. I'd also bet on every M engine from here on out being turboed.