(continued from above)
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 2012 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.
"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
2012 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.
BMW 1 Series M Coupe: Design
There are
three exterior paint finishes to choose from for the BMW 1 Series M Coupe. In
addition to Alpine White non-metallic and Black Sapphire Metallic, Valencia
Orange Metallic is available exclusively for this compact high-performance
sports car.
The powerfully shaped front fascia is dominated by three
large air intakes which secure cooling air for the high-performance engine. The
wide central air intake is covered by a honeycomb-structured grille, while the
two outer intakes are completely open. This means that in every situation on the
road or track, a sufficiently large quantity of cooling air is fed directly to
the engine oil cooler on the right and to the supplemental coolant radiator on
the left.
With the greenhouse conveying an impression of lightness, the
powerfully distinctive shoulder line and the elaborately sculpted surfaces
symbolize precisely controllable athleticism in profile. The wheel arches of the
2-door model bulge out especially voluminously at both the front and rear. One
hallmark M feature is the chrome gill element on the front wheel arch which is
particularly elongated. It bears the side turn indicator and the M brand logo,
as well as forming the starting point of the character line running along the
door handles to the rear. A vertical contour edge starts at the gill element
which leads down to the side sill. Fine-tuning in the wind tunnel has also
shaped the design of the exterior mirrors. In their basic shape they are the
same as those of the BMW M3.
The powerful wheel arches also make the rear
of the BMW 1 Series M Coupe seem especially broad. Horizontally arranged lines
accentuate this impression. A discreet spoiler lip on the luggage compartment
lid generates additional downforce on the rear axle at high speeds. The rear
fascia has side openings which echo the look of the Air Curtain intakes in the
front fascia. The characteristic M visual symmetry is created by two sets of
chrome twin tailpipes, each positioned towards the outer edges. L-shaped rear
light clusters with red glass covers create a characteristic night-time
illumination. Inside these, the rear light is provided by two light banks fed by
LED units.
The BMW 1 Series M Coupe features standard Xenon Adaptive
headlamps. The twin circular headlights are truncated in the upper section by an
LED-fed "eyebrow." This is what creates the focused look of the 1 Series M
Coupe.
BMW 1 M Coupe: Review (2/2)