BMW M Division 1m Coupe
The BMW 1 Series M Coupe ("1M Coupe") is a high-performance version of the BMW 1 Series Coupe, developed by BMW's motorsport branch BMW M.
While BMW naming convention would have called the car the "M1", the name "BMW 1 Series M" was used instead, to avoid confusion with the original BMW M1.
BMW officially announced the making of the M variant of the BMW 1-Series Coupé in December 2010.
Prior to the 1M Coupé, a bespoke engine (with a code starting with "S", for example S14, S50, S65) was used for all BMW Mmodels. However, the 1M Coupé uses a re-tuned version of the twin-turbocharged N54 engine which is used in various other models such as the 2011 BMW 335is coupé/covertible, 2011 BMW Z4 sDrive35is, and 2011 BMW 740i. In the 1M Coupe, the engine produces 340 PS (250 kW) at 5900 rpm and 332 lb·ft (450 N·m) torque from 1,500 to 4,500 rpm (with +369 lb·ft (500 N·m) overboost). The only available drivetrain is a six-speed manual gearbox with a limited slip differential.
The 1M Coupé has a significantly wider track and bigger body than the standard E82 coupé, as well as a different body kit. Despite the car's larger size, it is 77 lb (35 kg) lighter than the standard E82 coupé, giving it a weight of 3,296 lb (1,495 kg).
BMW was originally going to release the 1M Coupé as a limited production model of 2,700 units. Due to overwhelming demand, the company lifted the cap. Nevertheless, production of the 1M Coupé stopped in June 2012, with 740 units sold in the US and a further 220 sold in Canada. Total 6309 cars sold worldwide.
US units by color produced:
| Alpinweiss 3 (300) | Black Sapphire (475) | Valencia Orang(B44) |
|---|---|---|
| 257 | 151 | 332 |
The 1M was featured on Top Gear on 26 June 2011 and recorded a time of 1:25.0 around the Top Gear test track. The 1M was met in the media with enthusiastic reviews, Jeremy Clarkson liking it, as a breakthrough model, to the original Volkswagen Golf GTI. It also received "Richard Hammond's Car of the Year 2011" award in Top Gear magazine.