BMW's much rumoured and eagerly anticipated M-fettled 1 Series is nearing production. Although there's no official word from BMW about timescales or even the existence of the junior M car our spy photographers have seen too many of them for it just to be a plaything for the engineers.
Anticipated to feature a twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre straight-six engine with an output in the region of 350-380bhp, the compact rear-wheel drive could prove to be something of a giant-killer. It'll sit below the BMW M3 in the line-up, though it's still not clear what badge the new car will wear. With the M1 badge associated with the '70s supercar there's likely to be some reluctance to use it on the 'entry-level' M car. However, with a 0-62mph time expected to be less than five seconds it's certainly worthy of the badge.
The flared wings for the wider track suit the 1 Series Coupé's lines, giving it the necessary visual punch to match its expected performance. Sadly it looks like it'll not have the quad-tailpipe set-up that usually features on BMW's M cars, though knowing the M division it's unlikely to sound any less naughty as a result. It might wear a carbon roof like the M3 and M6 do, though with BMW likely to be trying to keep costs sensible the smallest M car might have to make do with metal.
The cars lapping the Nürburgring and spotted out on the roads are looking ever more production ready, so we're not expecting it to be too long before BMW announces the 1 Series M officially. Perhaps as soon as the
Paris Motor Show in September, with sales starting early next year? Fingers crossed.
Photography by Tony Dewhurst of www.pistonspy.com
Kyle Fortune - 23 Apr 2010