Archive for August 2010
Aug 31st, 2010
We’ve shown you the photos, video and offered you some bits if information. Now we’d like to take a step back and talk about all we know on the 1M. First let’s go back to the event itself. BMW NA graciously invited us to Road America and BMWCCA’s Oktoberfest to not only get a sneak pique at the new 1M but also to experience the reveal through the eyes of the largest BMW owners event in the world. It turned out to be a brilliant move. The energy inside the large tent at the introduction was electric and the car (or what was shown of it) couldn’t have been received better.
The Sound
After our interview with Dr. Kay Segler we were invited to head over to a deserted part of the Road America infield to get our first glimpse of the new 1M. The process to move the car off the enclosed trailer was actually a highlight for me as it was the only time that day the engine was actually fired. That’s when I knew two things. Yes this is a modified N54 and wow was the sound muted. Surely there’s work to be done in regards to electronics but there’s no question the sound wasn’t near as interesting as the V8 or the inline six in the last two generations of M3. While I’m sure M will make sure there’s ultimately some aural satisfaction from the exhaust and engine, I couldn’t help but be reminded of the X5M. And for those of you curious, yes I did record video but I was asked not to share it at this time.
continued →
Aug 31st, 2010
Let’s start with what we know. On both the running prototype (we saw at Ascari last month) and the Valencia Orange prototype seen at Oktoberfest the 1M has been shod with M3 sourced 245/35/19s in the front and 265/35/19s in the rear. The wheels are identical (as far as we can tell) to the 19″ competition wheels (style 359) found on the current M3.
What we don’t know is if these are the stock wheels or an upgrade standard 18′s (we’re guessing the latter).
Now onto what we do know. Those look to be 100% stock M3 brakes and not the six piston Brembos found on the 135i. Also seen here is some type of cooling device in front of the left front tires (likely for cooling the turbos).
All this makes it very clear that M raided the M3′s parts bin in a big way with this car. Sure that means little in the way of bespoke parts but remember the 1M is all about a lower cost M car with more feel and less bling. And sometimes the parts bin approach can create something truly magical.
continued →
Aug 30th, 2010
The 1M signifies a shift in the way M creates cars. With the exception of the US market E36 M3, every M product has featured a unique engine that was designed from the ground up by the M Division. But the 1M project is different. The idea was to create something like the E30 M3. Not overly powerful and loaded with feel and all the nuances that have made the E30 M3 a classic.
In addition to that M had to keep the price down due to very low volume. So M had a unique series of parameters to stay within. They only needed a moderate power increase and they clearly needed to keep the development costs down to lower levels than normally seen on M engines.
Enter the N54 turbocharged inline six. The twin turbo N54 crucially doesn’t feature Valvetronic making it much easier to tune. It also was designed as a classic twin turbo rather than the single twin-scroll housing on the N55. All this made for an engine much easier for M to take, tweak and drop into the 1M.
continued →
Aug 30th, 2010
In our recent interview with Dr. Kay Segler we asked about manual transmissions and their future in M cars. Obviously with the 1M it’s pretty safe (considering it’s the only option). But Dr. Segler said something else that caught our ear. When talking about the choice he made special mention of small cars being different. Here’s the specific quote:
For small cars the tendency of it (the manual transmission) is to stay (be available) longer. I remember when we had a manual 7 Series. Now it is no longer.
The point was made even more clear by Martin Birkmann (Head of BMWNA Product Planning and Strategy/BMW Motorsport Manager) when he said they (meaning BMW NA) want to be a defender but only if there is a cause.
continued →
Aug 29th, 2010
Bill Auberlen and Tommy Milner drove the No. 92 M3 GT to a third-place GT class finish in today’s Grand Prix of Mosport. The race was red-flagged with 29 minutes remaining following a crash by a GTC car requiring extensive repairs to the track-side barriers.
continued →
Aug 28th, 2010
Now that the 1 Series M Coupé has been partially unveiled we can start to tell you a bit more about the details around the car. The most controversial regard the transmission. Based on our understanding the 1M will be available only with a six speed manual transmission – essentially the same unit in the E9X M3.
Why no DCT? We believe the answer lies both on the technical side as well as marketing. First let’s start with the technical. The 1M was designed and engineered in record time. It was also done on a strict budget. The project was to be vey focused on creating the best drivers car possible for the money. Because the DCT would have had to come with completely different software we believe it would have been too costly to develop given the number built and the projected take-rate of the DCT worldwide. Yes there are some assumptions in there but we stand behind the reasoning.
continued →
Aug 28th, 2010
We got a chance to sit down with the head of the M Division hours before the unveiling of the 1M yesterday to talk about a number of topics. Yes the 1M was a big part of the discussion but we also touched on a number of topics:
- The death of manual transmissions
- The concept behind the 1M
- The 1M being the spiritual successor to the E30 M3
- The importance of feel
- Why the engine doesn’t define the 1M as it does in all other M cars
And a ton more. Definitely one of the best we’ve done to date.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Subscribe | Download (21 MB MP3)
Aug 28th, 2010
Yesterday we got a close look at the new 1M. Yes most of it was covered. However we managed to not only get a glimpse of the color and design but also quite a few more details. Here are a few:
- That is Valencia Metallic Orange (not Inka Orange). I am not a fan of metallic paint and especially metallic orange paint. Yet I have to say I love the look of this color both under the sun and at night.
- The engine is N54 based (we’ll have more on this very soon)
- We are almost certain the 1M will be manual transmission only – the costs are seemingly too high to engineer a DCT into such a limited run car
- Yes those are M3 Competition package wheels
- The front air intake is much like the M3′s but even more pronounced on this car
- The side skirts are also much like the M3′s in shape
- The side vents will be outrageous compared to what we’re used to. You can clearly see the outline (and a sneak pique of it) poking out from under the cover
- Based on everything we’ve heard over the past six months, we believe there will be one subtle change that will be coming (worldwide) to what you see in the revealed area. I can’t tell you what it is but if you think hard I’m sure the “lights” will go on and you’ll figure it out.
continued →
Browse Pages:
Next Page »
Next Page »
