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1 M's Focused Interior
The M-specific cockpit developed
exclusively for the 2012 1 M Coupe is designed to facilitate focused, sporty
driving. High-quality, dark Alcantara with orange contrast stitching covers the
door panels, door pulls, instrument cluster binnacle, dash panel, and gearshift
and handbrake lever boots. The driver's attention is focuses on an M-specific
instrument cluster with gray dials, classic M red pointers, and white
backlighting. An M driver footrest and M entry sills round off the unique
interior.
The black sport seats in standard Boston leather have orange
contrasting stitching and an M logo embossed in the front of each headrest. Seat
heating is available for both front seats. The orange contrast stitching is also
echoed on the rear seats and on all design elements featuring Alcantara. The
leather M multifunction steering wheel features the now-ubiquitous M Button for
spontaneous activation of the sharpest throttle response and M Dynamic Mode of
DSC.
The dominance of dark surfaces, including the A pillar trim and
anthracite headliner reduces sun glare and promotes focus on the road. In
combination with high-quality materials, carefully planned contours, and
selective color accents, the interior of the BMW 1 Series M Coupe provides a
perfect environment in which to pursue driving pleasure.
1 Series M's
Inline-6 Engine Provides Outstanding Performance
The heart of every
BMW is the engine, and so an inline-6 with outstanding performance, free-revving
behavior, and endless thrust propels the BMW 1 Series M Coupe. The concept is
familiar: in the model history of BMW M, the high-revving inline-6 is one of the
classic engine formats. In the second and third generations of BMW M3, the
inline-6 became famous for combining high output, razor-sharp response, and
sonorous sounds. In the BMW 1 Series M Coupe, the inline-6 engine concept is
realized in its most up-to-date form.
The twin-turbocharged,
all-aluminum, 3.0-liter inline-6 engine is characterized by instantaneous
response to the accelerator pedal, fantastic sounds, and a free-revving spirit.
The combination of twin low-mass turbochargers and BMW's High Precision direct
injection offers an output a naturally-aspirated engine would only be able to
provide through more cylinders and larger displacement.
The turbocharger
system developed for the engine of the new 1 Series M Coupe maintains a high
output throughout the entire engine speed range. Maximum output of 335 hp (250
kW) is delivered at 5,900 rpm. Nominal peak torque is 332 lb-ft (450 Nm) from
1,500 rpm to 4,500 rpm. Redline is 7,000 rpm. The enhanced engine management
system of the 1 Series M Coupe includes an electronically-controlled overboost
function to briefly increase torque under full load by another 37 lb-ft (50 Nm).
This temporary torque peak of 369 lb-ft gives the car a substantial increase in
acceleration. The 1 Series M Coupe will complete the sprint from a standstill to
60 mph in just 4.7 seconds (0-100 km/h in 4.9 seconds). The standing
quarter-mile mark comes up in 13.2 seconds. Top speed is limited electronically
to 155 mph (250 km/h).
6-Speed Manual Transmission
A close
ratio 6-speed manual transmission is used for power transmission to the rear
wheels in the BMW 1 Series M Coupe. It was specially designed to interact with
high-torque engines and has been fitted for this purpose with a dry sump cooling
system. An upgraded flywheel for high-torque applications is installed between
the engine and transmission. The transmission is operated using a very short M
gearshift lever. Final drive ratio is 3.15: 1.
Signature Sound to
Accompany the Surge of Power
The exhaust system of the 1 Series M
Coupe has been tuned by M specifically for this new model. Acoustic engineering
gives the car a unique personality in all phases of operation. The M exhaust
system is easily recognized by the presence of its four signature exhaust pipes.
M Drive Button
The new 1 Series M Coupe also features the
steering wheel-mounted M Drive button that made its first appearance in the 2006
M5. In the 1 Series M Coupe, the M Button activates a razor-sharp throttle
response program for the sportiest driving. This means that the performance
characteristics of the engine can be varied according to the driver's wishes.
Variable M differential lock, DSC with M Dynamic Mode
The BMW
1 Series M Coupe is fitted with a variable M differential lock. This generates
lock-up torque on-demand and variably, thus providing for optimum rear-wheel
drive traction on all road surfaces. The variable M differential lock responds
to differences in rotational speeds in the right and left rear wheel,
redirecting drive torque in a fraction of a second. So where there are
significant differences in friction coefficients between the right and left rear
wheel, for example, optimum traction and maximum possible propulsion are
ensured. The centrifuge principle of the variable M differential lock supports
the dynamic qualities of rear-wheel drive both on slippery surfaces and when
accelerating out of bends.
This gives the BMW 1 Series M Coupe traction
benefits on slippery surfaces, snow and sand. It also supports sporty-style
motoring on narrow, winding roads such as mountain passes since optimum traction
and maximum drive torque are available when accelerating out of a bend. So in
this model, too, the variable M differential lock proves ideal support for the
driving dynamics properties of rear-wheel drive.
The Dynamic Stability
Control (DSC) of the BMW 1 Series M Coupe includes such elements as the Antilock
Brake System (ABS), an anti-slip control function (ASC), the brake assistant
Dynamic Brake Control (DBC), a hill-hold assistant for starting off, Cornering
Brake Control (CBC), a brake fade compensation function and a brake drying
function. In the wet or on slippery surfaces the DSC intervenes discreetly to
limit oversteer.
As an alternative to normal operating status, the driver
can activate M Dynamic Mode (MDM) by means of pushing the MDM Button between the
front air vents, raising the intervention thresholds of the DSC system. MDM
enables slight amounts of dynamic oversteer under specific circumstances to
enable optimum vehicle yaw for maximum performance. Demonstrations at the BMW
Performance Center in Spartanburg, S.C. have proven MDM mode to enable the
fastest-possible lapping performance while still providing the assurance and
protection of Dynamic Stability Control. MDM also facilitates starting off in
snow or loose surfaces by means of carefully controlled amounts of wheelspin.
DSC may be fully disabled via a long-press of the MDM button (ABS remains
active).
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 3,296 lbs (1,495 kg, 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 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 77
lbs less.
The new 1 Series M Coupe features a high-strength steel unibody,
with unique, widened fenders and rear quarter panels to house the substantially
widened track. It also features a metal roof panel which saves about 35 lbs (15
kg) compared to BMW 1 Series models equipped with a moonroof. The 2012 BMW 1 M
Coupe, constructed as one of BMW's most performance-oriented vehicles in recent
years, will not be offered with a moonroof. This weight savings - at the tallest
point of the vehicle - provides a corresponding drop in the center of gravity,
which contributes to improved driving dynamics. It also helps maximize head room
(or helmet room, as the case may be).
Compound Brakes and Wheels
A suitably powerful braking system for a car with this much performance was
originally developed for the current-generation BMW M3. The internally-vented,
cross-drilled cast iron discs measure 14.2 inches (360 mm) in diameter at the
front and 13.8 inches (350 mm) in the rear. Featuring large compound disc brakes
and electronic anti-lock, stopping power for the 1 Series M Coupe is strong,
precise and consistent. Each disc is connected to a floating aluminum hub by
cast-in stainless-steel pins. This configuration reduces the thermal loads on
the discs, thus increasing their performance and service life. An
electrically-driven pump provides the system's vacuum power.
The 1 Series
M Coupe is equipped with the M-specific, light-alloy cross-spoke wheels from the
M3 Competition Package and limited-production M3 GTS. They measure 19 x 9 inches
with 245/35 R19 low-profile tires at the front and 19 x 10 inches with 265/35
R19 tires at the rear, and are silver in color.
Innovative
Aerodynamics: Air Curtains
Consistency between form and function is
crucial to engineers at BMW M, who seek perfect balance of various aerodynamic
factors in the wind tunnel. As a result, the 1 Series M Coupe has been equipped
with BMW's latest aerodynamic innovation. Air curtains, used here for the first
time in a BMW production vehicle, improve air flow around the wheel arches with
the benefit of significantly reduced turbulence.
This innovative
aerodynamic feature consists of openings in the outer section of the lower front
fascia that route high-pressure air through ducts at each front corner. The
ducts are approximately 10 x 3 centimeters wide and are designed to channel air
to openings at the front of each wheel arch, where it is discharged through a
very narrow opening at high speed. The escaping air stream covers the side of
the front wheels like a curtain, thereby reducing aerodynamically unfavorable
turbulence around the rotating wheels.
BMW 1 M Coupe: Photo Gallery, Review (1/2) and Specifications