AUTOCAR UK BMW 1-series M: first ride

[as7920]

http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsAr...llCars/251375/

Meet the car that M division said it would never build: the 1-series M Coupé.

Set to join BMW’s line-up early next year, following a world premiere at the Detroit motor show next January, the hard-hitting two-door has been conceived as a spiritual successor to the much-loved E30 M3.

BMW gave us a chance to sample the 1-series M Coupé last week at Ascari — albeit from the passenger seat.

See the official pic of the BMW 1-series M coupe in action, plus spy pics

First impressions? It’s too quiet. Running a lightly modified version of the twin-turbo 3.0-litre straight six from the Z4 sDrive35iS, it needs some detailed inlet and exhaust tuning before it can be considered fit for the showroom.

There’s a slight, distant burble of exhaust at idle, but under load the engine lacks the typical BMW M sound that buyers will be seeking.

That aside, this is a truly exciting car — one, I’m willing to bet, that will prove to be M division’s best-selling model within the next couple of years.

Albert Biermann, the man behind its development and my chauffeur, isn’t giving too much away. About all he’s prepared to say right now is that the M Coupé will boast somewhere in the region of 350bhp in production guise — around 50bhp more than the 135i upon which it is based. The prototype we rode in had a standard six-speed manual gearbox, although a seven-speed dual-clutch ’box will also be offered. Transferring drive to the road is a lightly tweaked version of the M3’s M differential.

With a kerb weight that, Biermann says, undercuts the 135i’s 1455kg and closely stacked ratios, acceleration is not too far from the supercar league. Through the gears, and especially in the mid-range, it feels particularly strong. A torque figure beyond the existing M3’s helps it to romp out of corners with great enthusiasm. From what I could ascertain, the target 0-62mph time of 5.0sec is well within reach, placing it 0.3sec inside that quoted for the 135i.

M division has focused much of its attention on the chassis, as evidenced by its wider tracks and lower ride height. Around Ascari, the 1-series M Coupé feels every bit as agile as the standard M3.

In fact, its compactness and lower weight even give it the edge in certain sections of the 3.4-mile circuit. Its comparative lack of weight means roll angles are kept to a minimum, although the damping on the prototype was clearly quite stiff.

So the wait for the 1-series M Coupé has started. Let’s just hope Biermann can give it a traditional M sound.


Greg Kable

[Future M1 owner]

Well now,

that's a fundamentally different, and generally more positive, assesment of things, compared to C&D, wouldn't you say???

[as7920]

Originally Posted by Future M1 owner

Well now,

that's a fundamentally different, and generally more positive, assesment of things, compared to C&D, wouldn't you say???

Agreed, when I started reading it, my heart sank. First thing the author pointed out was that it was too quiet, then I read the rest and as you say, it gets more optimistic.

Just have to remember that it is still early days and a work in progress but I might just put that deposit down now!

Mark.

[BForbes]

Nobody clearly states that BMW said its a modified N54. They automatically assume since its in the stage of "too quiet" and obviously a turbo car. I would be calling it a slightly modified N54 too. I'm not though.

I enjoyed the read for the most part. BMW clearly knows that everyone is focusing on the sound. I can't wait for them to step up!

[Smokey]

Thanks for posting. Very insightful assessments by the author. Love the reference to how the car "romps out of corners with great enthusiasm." But the 0-62 mph time of 5 seconds seems quite modest. Overall, a good review.

[Madozu]

Assuming 350hp this will more realistically give a 0-62mph time of 4.8 (not even considering the better traction with the M-LSD nor a possible DCT option)

This assumption bases on acceleration/motor performance/weight comparison with similar cars

[PyratOne]

I was interested in the "undercuts the 135i’s 1455kg"

hasnt someone here in this forum said before that no M variant weighs less than their counterpart?

lower weight + more torque/hp = sounds good to me

[Levi]

I bet 0-100 km/h in 4.6 sec for M1 with 6MT. I think BMW M is fooling everybody. I think the driver knows how to drive so that not everybody should really know what it is.

[Robert]

Official 0-60 figure is usually conservative so I say 4.5-4.6 0-60 is realistic with DCT. I want to know how much M1 undercuts 135i in curb weight.

[amdmaxx]

1M - no sunroof and possibly CF roof - here are your weight savings where it matters, up top..

[E82tt6]

Originally Posted by Levi

I bet 0-100 km/h in 4.6 sec for M1 with 6MT. I think BMW M is fooling everybody. I think the driver knows how to drive so that not everybody should really know what it is.

They'll rate it conservatively on both HP and 0-100 kmh. They don't want it to look like it's on par, or very close to on par, with the M3.

Originally Posted by PyratOne

I was interested in the "undercuts the 135i’s 1455kg"

hasnt someone here in this forum said before that no M variant weighs less than their counterpart?

lower weight + more torque/hp = sounds good to me

I believe Scott has said in his posts since the 1er's release, the goal would be to drop weight in the high performance M model. The first complete "Efficient Dynamics" M car.

[grant]

Originally Posted by amdmaxx

1M - no sunroof and possibly CF roof - here are your weight savings where it matters, up top..

Exactly, along with more helmet room. Sure hope the CF Roof is not cut out by the accountants...

[Robert]

What they are not removing the rear seats and move the engine there?

[sparoz]

Originally Posted by BForbes

Nobody clearly states that BMW said its a modified N54. They automatically assume since its in the stage of "too quiet" and obviously a turbo car. I would be calling it a slightly modified N54 too. I'm not though.

I enjoyed the read for the most part. BMW clearly knows that everyone is focusing on the sound. I can't wait for them to step up!

I guess it's early days, and all BMW get sound tuned after everything is ready

[sparoz]

Originally Posted by PyratOne

I was interested in the "undercuts the 135i’s 1455kg"

hasnt someone here in this forum said before that no M variant weighs less than their counterpart?

lower weight + more torque/hp = sounds good to me

I am not sure about all the previous line up, but for as long as I can remember, a ///M car apart from the GTS and CSL, it has always been more heavy then their donor car.

However, this is not to say the 1M will not be lighter than the 135i. If it is, and with 350ps. It would be seriously fun.

[Future M1 owner]

Originally Posted by PyratOne

hasnt someone here in this forum said before that no M variant weighs less than their counterpart?

This could very well be true, but most M-cars have a bigger engine/drivetrain than the regular linup.

I suspect that a 360HP M-tuned N54 or N55 will weigh much the same as the regular version.
The CF roof, if offered, should hopefully negate some suspension/brake/stiffening/flared bodywork components which are (only slighty) heavier.

[E82tt6]

Originally Posted by sparoz

I am not sure about all the previous line up, but for as long as I can remember, a ///M car apart from the GTS and CSL, it has always been more heavy then their donor car.

However, this is not to say the 1M will not be lighter than the 135i. If it is, and with 350ps. It would be seriously fun.

A CF roof alone would save a good 100lbs. IIRC, someone weighed the sunroof assembly, and found it to weigh over 90 pounds.

[dreierc]

Many if's still. How about if it is a tuned N54, and if it has 350 hp. Wonder what they are doing about cooling? Hope it's something we can bolt on our 135i's
Although already the Performance Kit for the 135i was realized with better cooling, but what I've read they still run hot even with an added water cooler and stronger fan?

[numba1guju]

im going to say N54 with 360hp...and IF it is lighter than its counter part im going to have to start collecting money for speeding tickets

[ModernDayYuppie]

Originally Posted by E82tt6

A CF roof alone would save a good 100lbs. IIRC, someone weighed the sunroof assembly, and found it to weigh over 90 pounds.

Not too sure about that...

Unless the M3 has a much lighter sunroof than the 1-series.

[iveman89]

i dont think this car will hit 60 less than 4.7 with dct maybe just 4.8

[marvinp]

Originally Posted by iveman89

i dont think this car will hit 60 less than 4.7 with dct maybe just 4.8

The 135i already does 0-60 in 4.7/4.8 secs. Just Google "135i 0-60". I think the 1M will do 0-60 in under 4.5 secs.