BMW 1 Series M Coupe | Sports Cars

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Year (of specifications)	2011
Engine	3.0 litre inline 6 cyl twin turbo
Transmission	6 speed manual RWD
Max speed	155 mph (electronically limited)
0-60 mph	4.7 seconds
Horsepower	335 hp @ 5,900 rpm
weight	1495 kgs / 3296 lbs

What is sure to become one of the legends of BMW's M division has just been brought into the world after a particularly long gestation period.

The BMW 1 Series M Coupe has a better power to weight ratio than the sublime M3, and a chassis which has been thoroughly re-engineered - and stuffed full of aluminium upgrades - to reduce weight and improve handling.

One area of particular interest is the fact the 1 Series M Coupe is significantly closer in size to the original M3 than the current M3 is. A fact which BMW was keen to point out in both pictures and text. Perhaps this is BMW's way of making up for the fact the M3 has got progressively bulkier over the years.

Drivetrain
The engine of the BMW 1 Series M Coupe is a 3.0 litre inline 6-cylinder twin turbocharged unit which develops 335 horsepower @ 5,900 rpm, and a peak torque output of 332 lb-ft (450 Nm) from 1,500 rpm to 4,500 rpm. The enhanced engine management system of the 1 Series M Coupe includes an electronically-controlled overboost function to briefly increase torque under full load by another 37 lb-ft (50 Nm). This temporary torque peak of 369 lb-ft gives the car a substantial increase in acceleration. The 1 Series M Coupe can reach 60 mph 4.7 seconds (100km in 4.9 secs). The top speed of the BMW 1 Series M Coupe is electronically limited to 155 mph.

The exhaust system of the 1 Series M Coupe has been tuned by the M division specifically for the car in order to get the best performance out of the engine, and also provide a distinctive soundtrack.

A close ratio 6-speed manual transmission is used for power transmission to the rear wheels in the BMW 1 Series M Coupe. It was specially designed to interact with high-torque engines and has been fitted for this purpose with a dry sump cooling system. An upgraded flywheel for high-torque applications is installed between the engine and transmission. The transmission is operated using a very short M gearshift lever.

The BMW 1 Series M Coupe is fitted with a variable M differential lock. This generates lock-up torque on-demand and variably, thus providing for optimum rear-wheel drive traction on all road surfaces. This gives the BMW 1 Series M Coupe traction benefits on slippery surfaces, snow and sand. It also supports sporty-style motoring on narrow, winding roads such as mountain passes since optimum traction and maximum drive torque are available when accelerating out of a bend.

The Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) of the BMW 1 Series M Coupe includes such elements as the Antilock Brake System (ABS), an anti-slip control function (ASC), the brake assistant Dynamic Brake Control (DBC), a hill-hold assistant for starting off, Cornering Brake Control (CBC), a brake fade compensation function and a brake drying function. In the wet or on slippery surfaces the DSC intervenes discreetly to limit oversteer.

Exterior
There are three color options to choose from for the BMW 1 Series M Coupe, Alpine White nonmetallic, Black Sapphire Metallic and Valencia Orange Metallic.

The aggressive front bumper is defined by three large air intakes which collect cooling air for the engine. The wide central air intake is covered by a honeycomb-structured grille, while the two outer intakes are completely open.

Thanks to flared wheel arches the car is actually 53mm (2.1 inches) wider than the standard 135i Coupe. A discreet spoiler lip on the luggage compartment lid generates additional downforce on the rear axle at high speeds.

Interior
The M-specific cockpit developed exclusively for the BMW 1 Series M Coupe is designed to facilitate focused, sporty driving. High-quality, dark Alcantara with orange contrast stitching covers the door panels, door pulls, instrument cluster binnacle, dash panel, and gearshift and handbrake lever boots. The driver's attention is focuses on an M-specific instrument cluster with gray dials, classic M red pointers, and white backlighting.

The BMW 1 Series M Coupe also features the steering wheel mounted M Drive button that made its first appearance in the 2006 M5. In the 1 Series M Coupe, the M Button activates a faster throttle response program for higher performance driving. This means that the power delivery characteristics of the engine can be varied according to the driver's needs.

Brakes
The braking system of the BMW 1 Series M Coupe is derived from those found on the E92 M3. The internally-vented, cross-drilled cast iron discs measure 14.2 inches (360mm) in diameter at the front and 13.8 inches (350mm) in the rear.

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