2011 BMW 1 Series M Coupe

2011 BMW 1 Series M Coupe. BMW invited us to the headquarters in New Jersey for our first driving impressions. Instead of death-by-PowerPoint, traditional way to introduce a new vehicle, they immediately handed us the key fob brand new 1 series coupe M together with a paper map. Our mission is to encourage the road again for two hours next to Monticello Motorsports Park, a private track outside New York City. After an extensive hot laps followed by lunch, we wanted to polish the marbles from the hood with a ride back to Montvale to six-hour flight back home.

It is said that the BMW M GmbH engineers two years to the development of M 1-series coupe new. While the basic platform is Series 1 E82, 1 M Coupe has a fully tuned E92 M3 components, including an important part of the suspension, brake discs, brake calipers, wheels, tires, mirrors and M Variable Differential Lock. This gives support to the M3 a little bigger not fit in the boundaries of the body 1-series compact, so the engineers fender lights on all four corners (1M Coupe is 2.1 inches wider than the standard 135i Coupe). The flares look much fat aggressive, but they also kill the aerodynamic vehicle signatures (two-fold to 0.37 cd.). To help reduce drag, BMW has equipped Air Curtain System to airway smooth front bottom around the front wheel. It only helps a little.

The cockpit is configured with M sport seats (with adjustable reinforced side and thigh), fleshy skin M3 steering wheel, leather upholstery and Alcantara trim with contrast stitching Boston orange and anthracite headlining. There has been offering moonroof no - glass sliding roof was replaced with solid steel to save weight (which reported 35 pounds) and center of gravity is lower with the added benefit of offering more front passenger head / helmet room.

BMW keep it simple by only offering a black leather seat in one of three exterior colors: Valencia Orange Metallic, Black Sapphire metallic and Alpine White. There are only two options packages. This optional Convenience Package adds an alarm, comfort access, parking sensors and navigation. Premium Package adds auto dimming mirrors, electrically adjustable front seats, lumbar support, mood lighting, BMW Assist, Bluetooth connectivity and iPod / USB adapter. Stand-alone options include heated front seats, satellite radio and Harmon Kardon audio package upgraded.

1M coupe powered by a variant of the twin-turbo engine is recognized BMW inline-six (N54B30T0 internal code). The direct injected 3.0-liter all-aluminum engine rated at 335 horsepower and 332 pound feet of torque in normal operation, but the overboost function, turbo pressure increases cause the engine to 369 pound-feet of torque to make room for short periods of time (if this sounds familiar, it's because the same machine can also be found under the hood of the current Z4 and sDrive35is 335is Coupe). Preliminary EPA estimates fuel economy at 19 city and 25 mpg highway mpg subcompact.

Transmission only-close ratio six-speed transmission features a unique oil cooling system. RWD is the only way to get to the source of the M3 coupe with M Variable Differential working hard on both ends of the shaft to rotate as a team to continue. Once again mimics the M3, 19-inch wheels (9x19) 245/35ZR19 tire wear as tears (10x19) equipped with 265/35ZR19 rubber. Our test car wore Michelin Pilot Sport tires.

The whole package weighs just 3296 pounds. To put it in perspective, the new Coupe 1M is 77 pounds lighter than the current 135i Coupe and the full 408 pounds lighter than the M3 coupe benchmark. According to BMW, 2011 1M its coupe to 60 mph sprint in 4.7 seconds to an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph – those comfortable identical with the figures quoted for the M3 E92 with six-speed gearbox.