As with the new X3, BMW offered some private testing to selected automotive magazines. Car and Driver slipped into the cockpit of the new BMW 1 Series M Coupe and shares their first impressions
“The 1-series’ body and track have been widened significantly front and rear, there is a unique front bumper, the trunklid gets a spoiler lip, and the exhaust flows through quadruple tailpipes. The M-specific interior—which was not installed in this prototype—will feature sport seats, unique trim, and special instrumentation.
The N54’s Last Stand?
While the 300-hp 135i has switched from the twin-turbo N54 to the single-turbo N55 engine, the 1-series M Coupe—like other BMWs recently unveiled with high-powered inline-sixes—gets a more powerful version of the N54, upgraded to about 335 hp. It’s mated to a slick six-speed manual gearbox—no automatic or dual-clutch transmission will be offered.
Segler’s troops still may shave a few pounds off the 135i’s total of almost 3400, but there is no budget for expensive lightweight materials. Zero-to-60 times should be in the mid-four-second range, and top speed will be governed to 155 mph. As it does with other M cars, BMW might offer the option to raise the limit, but we doubt it would go much beyond 170.
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Getting the small M into a slight drift seemed as effortless as recovery, and the kick provided by the uprated engine represents a major step above the 135i. Turbo lag is slight and doesn’t significantly detract from the experience. Compared to the M3, you sit lower to the ground, the cabin is more compact, and thus you get a much better sense of speed than in the bigger car.
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The 1-series M Coupe began life code-named “Pyrat,” and BMW thankfully refrained from calling it the M1.”
Full article at Car and Driver
Author: Horatiu B.
Source: http://www.bmwblog.com/2010/07/09/2012- ... nd-driver/