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11 December 2010

By Ben Pulman

This is the new BMW 1-series M Coupe, and after months of tantalising teases, we’re finally getting to see M Division’s new baby. Under the bonnet of the BMW 1-series M Coupe is a forced-induction six-cylinder engine, but purists should be kept happy by the fact that it’s still rear-drive and is only available with a manual gearbox. Plus the BMW 1-series M Coupe should cost less than $60k.

So the new BMW 1-series M Coupe doesn’t have a lovely naturally aspirated engine?

Nope, it’s the same 3.0-litre twin-turbo straight six that you’ll find in the Z4 35is, with 335bhp produced at 5900rpm. There’s also 332lb ft from 1500 to 4500rpm, though an overboost facility increases this to 369lb ft when you pin the throttle to the floor. Official figures for the 1-series M Coupe are 9.6L/100 and 224g/km, which easily bests a manual-equipped M3’s 12.4L/100 and 290g/km CO2.

The only gearbox available is a six-speed manual that drives the rear wheels through BMW’s famed Variable M differential, while an M button on the dash allows access to the M Dynamic Mode. There are 360mm front discs, 350mm rear discs, and aluminium suspension components pinched from the M3.

All in, BMW reckons it’ll be significantly faster around the ‘Ring than the old E46 M3 – and we wouldn’t bet against it being far behind the current E92 M3 either. The top speed is limited to 250kph, and it’ll hit 100kph in 4.9 seconds.

Anything else?

You may have noticed the butch bodykit too, with bulging front and rear bumpers and rear lip spoiler, plus the trademark quad exhausts, aerodynamic door mirrors and 19-inch alloy wheels. White, black and orange are the only paint colours available.

Inside there’s a stubby gearstick, leather and Alcantara seats, while Alcantara and contrasting orange stitching covers the doors, handbrake, gearlever surround and instrument binnacle cover.

The new BMW 1-series M Coupe goes on sale in Europe in May 2011, we expect it to reach the Middle East shortly afterwards - if it's confirmed for our market (and with a manual-only gearbox, that's not necessarily a sure thing).

Let us know what you think of the 1-Series M below

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