(continued from above)
With this 2-door model, BMW M GmbH is now realizing for the first time in
this vehicle class its concept of racing-oriented performance characteristics in
a car developed for everyday use. This further extends the company's model
range, paving the way for younger target groups to be able to access the
hallmark driving experience offered by an M car.
The BMW 1 Series M Coupe
embodies the unmistakable M feeling in a highly concentrated form. Its in-line
6-cylinder engine with M TwinPower Turbo and petrol direct injection develops a
maximum output of 340 hp (250 kW) with an engine-speed-oriented characteristic
curve typical of BMW M cars. With chassis technology derived directly from motor
racing, a power-to-weight ratio reduced to 4.4 kilograms per hp and precisely
optimized aerodynamic components including innovative air curtains at the front
end, supreme conversion of superior propulsion power into thrilling driving
dynamics is guaranteed. The BMW 1 Series M Coupe accelerates in 4.7 seconds from
zero to 60 mph and reaches the 124 mph mark after 17.3 seconds. In the area of
efficiency, too, it achieves top figures within its performance category. Its
average fuel consumption in the EU test cycle is 9.6 liters per 100 kilometers,
while CO2 emissions are at 224 grams per kilometer.
The outstanding
sporty flair of the BMW 1 Series M Coupe is outwardly expressed by the athletic
character of its body design. In the exclusively designed interior of the
4-seater, high-quality materials and an M-specific cockpit create the ambience
of a premium sports car. In its standard configuration, the BMW 1 Series M Coupe
displays the concept harmony so characteristic of M cars: able to cope both with
the extreme demands of the race track and the diverse challenges of everyday
traffic. What is more, individual preferences in terms of comfort, safety and
infotainment can be fulfilled with a model-specific selection of equipment
options also available for the BMW 1 Series Coupe, including the BMW
ConnectedDrive program.
Design: M-Style Aesthetic Appeal
The dynamic proportions with which the BMW 1 Series Coupe proclaims a brand of
driving pleasure unique within the competitive field provide the perfect
foundation for the instantly fascinating appearance of the first ever
high-performance model in the compact segment. Measuring 4,380 millimeters in
length and 1,420 millimeters in height, the BMW 1 Series M Coupe is the both the
shortest and the flattest model in the BMW M GmbH range. It is also 55
millimeters wider than the BMW 135i Coupe: the width of 1,803 millimeters is the
result and the expression of a track width at the front and rear axle optimized
to enhance driving dynamics in a way which is specific to this model.
The
design of the front end impressively reflects the outstanding performance
capabilities of the 2011 BMW 1 Series M Coupe. The powerfully shaped front apron
forms a homogeneous surface, dominated in the lower section by three
large-format air intakes. In order to optimize the aerodynamic properties,
so-called air curtains are used for the first time in serial production vehicle.
The in-flowing air is routed into two ducts by means of openings in the outer
section of the front apron. These openings are designed so that the air flows
along the inside of the front apron in a closed duct to the wheel arches, where
it is discharged through a very narrow opening at high speed, just passing the
outer wheel flanks.
BMW 1 M Coupe (Euro-spec): Review (2/2)
