FIRST DRIVE BMW 1 SERIES M COUPE:BMW is about to launch a new baby M-car, the 1 Series M Coupé; SHANE O'DONOGHUEgets behind the wheel of a pre-production example
DOWNSIZING began as a trend; it was very much a buzz-word a couple of years ago. Now it’s a necessity, whether referring to the size of the public sector workforce or the average family car. No surprise then to see the same happening with cars further up the price scale. Enter the cheapest vehicle to come from BMW’s M Division yet: the 1 Series M Coupé.
The definition of “cheap” is relative of course. The entry-point to M-car ownership currently stands at more than €90,000 for the BMW M3 saloon. It’s expected that the first 1 Series to wear an M badge will come in at up to €20,000 less than that. Can it retain that all-important M-car feel while appealing to a whole new sector of buyers?
Thankfully BMW’s customers will never see the inside of the pre-production prototype we drove in Germany. It’s far from the finished product, with hand-made trim parts and the general feeling that nobody really cares what it looks like. However, there is some promise, in the shape of light grey, bespoke instruments that hark back to the very first M-car (the M3) and deep, hip-hugging bucket seats.
Time to press the engine start button. It fires up quickly and, though louder than the engine in the 135i, it’s obvious that it’s a derivative of the twin-turbocharged straight-six that is available throughout the BMW range. In fact it’s based on the version found under the bonnet of the Z4 sDrive35is, and we’re reliably informed that it’ll boast about 340bhp and significantly more torque than the BMW M3.
Sensibly, the M Division borrowed a few choice components from the M3 itself. They include the sophisticated limited slip rear differential and the six-speed manual gearbox. Somewhat surprisingly, that’ll be the only transmission offered, with no dual-clutch automatic on the cards, despite the 1 M going on sale in America.
We’re told it’s part of the “back to basics” approach, with inspiration taken from the original M3. Hence there’s no adaptive damping or adjustable steering assistance and just one alloy wheel size (19-inch). No doubt this ideology saved a few euro too.
In spite of all that, the 1 Series M Coupé already looks a million euro, even in black and white swirly “camouflage”. BMW will release photographs of the finished car in December, which is thought to precede a world debut at January’s Detroit motor show.
Until then you’ll have to narrow your eyes to visualise how it’ll all look, but it’s not difficult to predict that the wide, low stance will lift the 1 Series Coupé’s shape from interesting to exciting. Those bulbous wheel arches stand out like nothing else BMW makes – except perhaps its race cars.
The 1 M is actually 80mm wider than the regular 1 Series Coupé, and it feels it from the off. Direct steering, with a modicum of communication between the tyre treads and the leather-bound rim set the scene, while the brake pedal is firm and confidence inspiring.
Even if you’re used to the ballistic performance of the current M3, the new 1 M will raise a smile. It’s about 85kg lighter than the M3 Coupé at 1,500kg, and it has (about) 15 per cent more torque at its disposal, so in a straight line there’s little between them at road-legal speeds. We expect a 0-100km/h time for the 1 M of about five seconds.
There’s no hint of turbo lag at low engine speeds either. That’s thanks to the presence of two relatively small turbochargers. Indeed, it just feels like a big engine. There’s a noticeable swell of boost in the mid-range, where the 1 Series really flies, before the acceleration begins to tail off well before the rev limiter.
BMW refers to the 1 Series M Coupé as the M-car for younger drivers. Even before the current economic situation caught up with us, few young Irish drivers would ever consider a €70,000 sports coupé and those that could would inevitably choose a Porsche. The 1 M certainly offers the performance and agility of the Cayman S, if not the cachet.
However, for existing converts to the M brand, the 1 Series could be just the trick. It’s virtually as quick as the M3, will look great, drives brilliantly and despite all that, its purchase could be seen to be in keeping with these straitened times.
FACTFILE
Engine: 2,979cc six-cylinder turbo petrol estimated to be putting out 340hp, rear-wheel drive
Performance: 0-100km/h in 5.0 seconds (est)
Maximum Speed: 250km/h (electronically limited)
Fuel Economy: 9.4 l/100km 210g/km CO2 (est)
Motor Tax Band: F (estimated)
Annual Road Tax: €1,050 (est)
Price: €70,000 (approx)
Available in Ireland: Early 2011