Woodcliff Lake, NJ - December 9, 2010, 6pm EST... With
anticipation of enthusiasts around the world at fever pitch, today BMW M
GmbH unveiled the newest member of its intimate product family. For the
first time, the coveted M badge has been granted to the popular BMW 1
Series in the form of the all-new BMW 1 Series M Coupe. The M badge was
imparted after a two-year development process through which BMW M
engineers and test drivers achieved the exceptional power delivery and
the signature, near-perfect driving behavior of a BMW M car. The 2011
BMW 1 Series M Coupe will be available in limited quantities and with a
limited range of options at Authorized BMW Centers in Spring, 2011.
Final pricing, packages, and options will be announced closer to the
on-sale date.
"Eigenwillig," a German word meaning
"self-willed," "individual," and "determined to go its own way," has
been the proper word to describe the most unique and memorable M cars of
the past three decades. With the original 1988 BMW M3 as its
inspiration, the 2011 BMW 1 Series M Coupe combines the raw capabilities
of a race car with the agility, versatility and seating position of a
compact BMW Coupe to create a pure Ultimate Driving Machine®. In doing
so, the 1 Series M Coupe continues the eigenwillig tradition of
BMW M. With its latest two-door model, BMW M is illustrating its
ability to build race car performance into a small car, capable of
everyday use.
Dimensions and Construction. The
new BMW 1 Series M Coupe has been developed for near-perfect balance
and a large, square footprint. It is 71 inches (1803 mm) wide - 4.8
inches (122 mm) wider than its 1988 M3 ancestor - yet only 1.3 inches
(33 mm) longer at 172.4 inches (4379 mm) long. The new 1 Series M Coupe
weighs in at 1,495kg DIN (3,296 lbs, preliminary), and features a
104.7-inch (2659 mm) wheelbase, three inches longer than the 1988 M3.
Front and rear track widths are exactly the same on the 1 Series M Coupe
at 60.7 inches (1542 mm) each. Compared to the 2011 BMW 135i Coupe, the
1 Series M Coupe is 0.2 inches (5 mm) longer, 2.1 inches (53 mm) wider,
0.5 inches (13 mm) taller, and rides on the same 104.7 inch (2659 mm)
wheelbase. It features a track 2.8 inches (71 mm) wider up front and 1.8
inches (46 mm) wider in the rear, and weighs 35kg DIN (77 lbs,
preliminary) less.