Addition to the M badge!!

The BMW M series goes on, with the addition of the new BMW 1-series M. The BMW 1-series is the cheapest from the BMW performance series. Having the steering, wheels, suspension and tires from the M3 competition package which was claimed to be the ‘BMW’s Best handling car ever’. And with the interior quite the same as the 135i, the car is made elegantly ‘Short and wide’.
Let’s have a look at the car…

Performance

The performance stats are like this:

Engine:  3.0 liter petrol with twin turbochargers

Power:  340bhp @ 6,000 RPM

Torque:  332 lb.-ft @ 1,500 RPM

Acceleration 0-60 Mph:  Less than 4.7 seconds

Top Speed:  155 mph

Transmission:  6 speed manual

Fuel economy:  20.8 mpg/29.4 mpg EU urban/combined

Price  : [£40,020]

So, the above performance stats show that it’s a performance car and is a true addition to the M-batch. It has 3.0 liter engine with turbochargers, torque which is 25% more than the M3 V8. And further the all time best M3 competition package is installed. So in short, 1M is the twin sister of M3…

Exterior 

This 1M is made shorter but wider to give a truly beefy look. The wider wheel arches to accommodate the widened track, 60mm in front and 40mm in rear for sake of dynamic handling. This makes it a shorter car 4380 mm long and 1,803 mm wide.

With the wide body 1M wears the wide 19 inch alloy wheels, 245/35 in front and 265/35 behind. Because of the rear wheel drive the rear wheels have extra rubber to deliver the power efficiently.

The exterior is pretty much like the 135i and this car is available in three colors Alpine white, Valencia orange, black sapphire.

Interior

The interior of 1M coupe is slightly different from the 135i. The gauges are given the M touch and the leather M badges are placed in the gauges and over the seats. The front seats are still the 135i seats and the double orange leather stitching is done but rear seats are not so comfortable.

Cons

• The super stiff suspension can be seriously painful over bumpy roads.
• The interior doesn’t goes with the price tag.

Pros

• The performance and handling of the car is awesome.
• Fuel economy is good.

Competitors

• Porsche Cayman S
• Lotus Evora
• Nissan 370z

Verdict

This car is a fitting testament to the M Sport badge. Fun to drive, speedy and smooth at curves. So, if you want a M badge with a good fuel economy and u want to relish the manual transmission, then this car may be the right choice..

Pictures Source : BMW.com

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