BMW 1 Series M Coupe – Official +video

The BMW 1 Series M Coupe - it's official

The whole ‘Will it – Won’t it’ debate about a BMW 1 Series ‘M’ version has been rumbling on for decades (not quite, it just feels that way) with many convinced that not only would BMW make an ‘M’ car for their smallest car but would call it the M1.

It was laughable (we can say that because, thankfully, we always rubbished the idea) to think BMW would waste an iconic moniker on a baby ‘M’ car. Well’ they’ve made the car but they haven’t wasted the moniker - it’s the BMW 1 Series M Coupe. And that’s official.

We reported that the 1 Series M was definitely happening last month and that it wouldn’t be getting the M1 name. We did think then it likely it would be called the 135iM, but you can’t win ‘em all.

And so the tease begins. BMW has set up a web site dedicated to the tease – M-Power.com – which is perhaps taking things to extreme. But why not? We used to get the odd arty image and a few leaked details. Now we get over-produced teaser videos so why not have a site just to tease?

So what do we know about the new M car? Looks like it will get the N54 lump – twin turbo, in-line 6 – used in the 135i but suitably tweaked to deliver something around 330-350bhp. That should see the 1 Series M Coupe scuttling to 60mph in around 4.5 seconds. Top speed will be the usual limited 155mph.

The 1 Series M Coupe (so much more to write than M3 or M5 or M6 or…) will of course get a stiffer suspension setup as befits its M status and the required bodykit to make it look suitably aggressive.

We’re expecting the 1 Series M (should we call it the 1M?) to hit showrooms in Spring 2011. If you want an early one probably best to start shouting at your dealer now.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d78Za2b0FXo

By Cars UK