BMW 1 Series M Coupe: Launch Begins

BMW 1 Series M Coupe

The New M Coupe Revealed

BMW has unveiled the "1 Series M Coupe," previously teased through glimpses of its headlamps and exhaust in videos and images. The car will be displayed at the Detroit Motor Show in January next year, with sales commencing in Germany in May.

By Dai Matsuo

Design Condensing the "M" Lineage

This "BMW 1 Series M Coupe" is described as a vehicle that embodies the essence of M, inheriting the spirit of the first-generation M3 and adding aerodynamic parts to the 1 Series. The exterior immediately draws attention with its aggressive front bumper. The large openings within this bumper, a balanced front fascia, and a flowing, tapered outline are designed to generate aerodynamic efficiency. This aerodynamic design is called an "air curtain," a first for a production vehicle. It also features bi-xenon headlights with LED eyebrows and lightweight 19-inch alloy wheels.
Exterior colors can be chosen from Alpine White, Black Sapphire Metallic, and Valencia Orange Metallic.

While compact in size with a length of 4,380mm and a height of 1,420mm, its width of 1,803mm is 55mm wider than the 135i Coupe.

Inside, the sports seats, Boston leather upholstery, Alcantara trim, an instrument panel refined for M, a sports steering wheel, and orange contrast stitching are particularly striking. Additionally, optional features include dual-zone automatic climate control, a Harman Kardon audio system, BMW ConnectedDrive, and a GPS navigation system with an 8.8-inch display.

As previously anticipated, the engine is a 3.0-liter inline-six twin-turbo producing a maximum output of 250kW (340ps) at 5,980rpm. The maximum torque is 450Nm (45.89kgm), available across a wide range from 1,500rpm to 4,500rpm, with an additional 500Nm (50.99kgm) available via overboost.

This engine is paired with a 6-speed manual transmission, propelling the M Coupe's 1,495kg body from 0 to 100km/h in 4.9 seconds. The top speed is electronically limited to 250km/h due to the German gentleman's agreement. Despite its high performance, BMW's "EfficientDynamics" concept, balancing environmental performance, is not forgotten. European test drives yielded favorable fuel economy of 9.6ℓ/100km (10.42km/ℓ), with CO2 emissions at 224g/km.

Robust Braking System

To achieve BMW's signature handling performance, reinforced aluminum is used, with a double-pivot front axle and a five-link rear suspension. Additionally, it is equipped with a variable "M Differential Lock" that instantly reacts to differences in rear wheel rotational speed to distribute torque appropriately.

While a pure sports car, it features DSC (Dynamic Stability Control), ABS, ASC (Anti-Slip Control), DBC (Dynamic Brake Control), and CBC (Cornering Brake Control). Of course, even without these systems, it boasts powerful brakes, with large 360mm front and 350mm rear brake discs, the same size as those on the M3.

The 1 Series M Coupe is priced at 50,500 Euros (approximately 5.6 million yen). Following its unveiling at the Detroit Motor Show in January 2011, sales will begin in Germany in May 2011.