wms 1 Report post Posted May 4, 2007 A BMW M1, you say? Isn't that butchering a famous badge? BMW is about to do to the 1-series what it did to the 3-series years ago: stretch it every which way, filling existing niches and creating new, exciting ones too - headed by a red-hot M version. The M1 badge would be resurrected on a very different beast to the landmark 1970s supercar though; this time it'll feature on the rump of the new 1-series coupe, standard versions of which will arrive next year. CAR Online has the latest exclusive lowdown on the future of the whole 1-series family with artist's impressions of the M1 (above and next page), so flick through the following pages to see how BMW hopes to pep up disappointingly sluggish sales. So at what stage is M1 development? To give the 1-series a badly needed image boost, BMW is reconsidering the M1. This project was originally scheduled to arrive at this year's Detroit Motor Show back in January. Under Ulrich Bruhnke, who recently left the company, the M division had proposed four different M1 spin-offs: a coupe, a lightweight GTR, a cabriolet and the E82 M1 touring. The latter model died altogether, the GTR was deemed too expensive despite its motorsport potential, and the fate of the drop-top was of course linked to that of the coupe. Both have now been confirmed. Since the 1-series will remain in production until 2011, it still makes commercial sense to launch the M1 late next year. The most obvious powertrain choice is the 343bhp 3.2-litre six as fitted to the outgoing M3. It's an expensive engine, and it needs work to trim its CO2 and fuel consumption, but it is the most likely motor, our sources say. According to an internal document seen by CAR Online, the M1 would accelerate from 0-62mph in 5.2sec and would reach a top speed of 175mph if derestricted. More details can be found at http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/secret_new_cars.php Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
m_power 0 Report post Posted May 4, 2007 Not my style at all. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
alex 0 Report post Posted May 5, 2007 VW eos competition? maybe if BMW produce a soft top for it? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kiwi535 538 Report post Posted May 5, 2007 I dont know what else they can call it,but to call it an M1 just seems wrong.If you are interested in the M1 take a look at this! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ThreeOneEight 0 Report post Posted May 5, 2007 Here's the inspiration, apparently! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Denny Crane Report post Posted May 5, 2007 It looks awesome. Tell me its S54 powered? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bravo 35 Report post Posted May 5, 2007 I like the front diffuser - the rest is uglier than the origianl 1 series if that is possible? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
drifty325i 0 Report post Posted May 6, 2007 That is just not right, looks like someones playing a joke Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
