Last week when we read Insideline’s piece on the M1 being nothing more than a 320hp 135is, we couldn’t help but be skeptical. Over the past year we’ve heard both from our internal sources and straight from M boss Kay Segler that there would be a true M product based off of the current 1 Series platform. The information seemed as ironclad as you could hope for and the idea that there was no M1 in the pipeline at all just didn’t make any sense to us.
And apparently it didn’t to one of our favorite (public) sources Scott27. He spoke on the 1addicts forum recently about the car and answered a few questions stemming from that Insideline piece.
For starters the car is coming according to Scott. Here are a few quotes:
The Coupe is the perfect car for this because it encases everything about the small compact Performance BMW as learned by the E30 and 2002.
With the 1M you have to look into BMW’s past to an era where such cars excelled not only on the road and is one idea under discussion for this car. As an existing project everything is basically available which helps cost absolutely , The engine is a redeveloped BMW engine which is a significant contribution allowing engineering costs to be lower and be used more to transform the car to drive – an M car is not just a series car with a faster engine , you have to transform the product so that it remains separate from the standard car and reflective of the M Division.
Over the past six months we’ve heard an enormous amount of rumors surrounding a new entry level M car. Head of the M Division Dr Kay Segler said himself that such a car was coming when he spoke to Autocar earlier this year:
The decision to put the car into production has been attributed to an “overwhelmingly positive reaction” to recent customer clinics, according to at least one high-ranking BMW official. Aimed at attracting younger customers to BMW’s performance cars, the new coupé is set to become the M division’s most affordable model.
Revealing the plans for the new 1-series-based model, ///M division boss Kay Segler said, “I want to set a clear signal that our products are financially accessible.
However just this past week Insideline spoke with an unnamed source at BMW who said that there will be no M1. Instead BMW will simply release a 135is almost identical in spec to the 335is models that debuted recently. Those models make due with an uprated version of the N54 pumping out 320 hp and 332 ft lbs of torque. So who’s right and who’s wrong.
This week we’re gearing up for Geneva with talk of the M1. Will we see it? We’ll know in the next couple of days. In the meantime you can listen for our take on the car and what to expect vs the M3 (and why BMW needs this car).
I also have a chance to talk a bit more about my experience with the Tesla Roadster Sport and some comparisons to the MINI E. Be sure to read the the full review.
Finally we talk about the potential death of the wagon. The 5 Series F11 wagon is debuting this April and the US market almost surely will not see the car. We talk about why and if it’ll ever be back.
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The venerable Scott26 is back with more information on the upcoming M1 (or 1M or M2 depending on who you talk to) that is scheduled to drop in concept form early next month in Geneva. Specifically, it would seem he’s leaked details on some of the many option available to those who order the car.
(Editor)-While this information is from a reliable source it is still a rumor at this point. We do not have any hard evidence at the time this information was originally published
EXTERIOR:
Carbon fiber hood (bonnet)
Carbon fiber trunk (bootlid) with integrated spoiler
Carbon fiber mirrors
Carbon fiber front splitters
Carbon fiber rear valence diffuser
Carbon fiber sideskirts
M-stripes (available in M tricolors, Alpine White, or Ferric Gray)
M-stripes may be placed on left, central, or right hand side of car. Additional stripes can be incorporated along the side of the car.
18″ competition wheels in two finishes
BMW shadowline chrome can be extended to the front kidney grills and rear exhaust ports (titanium effect finish will be an option).
One of our more trusted sources Scott26 has surfaced some details on the new M1 (or is it an M2?) recently throughout the web. This is by far the most thorough information we’ve had from a reportedly internal source on the new M1 and it would seem (based on the level of detail) that BMW is close to showing this car publicly in the guise of a concept. Geneva? That’s our hope.
Here are some excerpt from Scott’s posting on 1addicts.
The M1 will differ from the standard 1er with a more muscular appearance especially at the front which receives a trapezoid grille flanked by two intakes to allow air to cool the six piston brakes. The larger grille at the front of the car also allows air into the High Performance Intercooler. Underneath the headlights the M1 follows the typical M look by having enclosed headlights or “eyebags” this helps pronounce the front of the car and providing a more sporting look than the conventional 1er Coupe.
Summary:
More muscular appearance than standard 1-series
Trapezoid grille flanked by two intakes to allow extra brake cooling
Six piston brakes
High performance intercooler
Sportier looking headlights than standard 1-series
Small lip spoilers above brake duct inlets to provide extra air flow and downforce
It seemed plausible at the time of release but now we’re starting to see some real confirmation that BMW will be going ahead with production of the Vision concept car that debuted in Frankfurt. The car was not only a concept in regards to design but also drivetrain. Sources told us at the time that BMW was actually creating a drive-able 3 cylinder diesel hybrid that did produce the numbers given at the time of release. Typically an automaker only goes to that kind of expense when there is a real chance of production on the horizon. That’s where we pick up the story from Insideline. Here’s an excerpt from their report:
Our executive source goes on to say that total volume is being debated, but that it will fall between 5,000 and 10,000 units. The prototype’s powertrain and basic sub-3,000-pound assembly will remain intact, but, says the source, “there will be less of the synthetic glass and more solid structure added to the final design.” Uh-oh. We know why these alterations are needed, but does this mean it’s going to migrate toward being a sort of sleek Toyota Prius? Let’s hope not.
When we asked if this could finally be BMW’s second true production supercar after the Giugiaro M1, the response was a firm “quite probably.” So maybe our Prius/Honda Insight fears are overreaching. It’d be nice to maintain that 0.22 drag coefficient and the hellacious looks.
IL went on to mention that a real world test in the south of France would be happening for a few publications later this summer. Oh and those Prius fears? Obviously those of us who are close to BMW and it’s products know better. Based on what we’ve been told this car will redefine the term hybrid.
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We believe in the old school BMW ownership experience. We believe in garage nights with a six pack and some friends. We believe in 2002s, in E30 M3s and E34 540s with the 6 speed. We believe in progress in both design and engineering but we haven't lost sight of what made the brand and its products great all those years ago. And yes, we believe in the manual transmission.
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Sections: //M1\\ Mar 12th, 2010 6 Comments 
