High performance BMW M1 (1-series M edition) coming next year
 

According to this news on http://www.1addicts.com

The new two-door, details of which were first uncovered by Autocar back in November, has now been added to BMW’s stable of future production models, with right-hand-drive UK sales set to begin in mid-2011.

The decision to put the car into production has been attributed to an “overwhelmingly positive reaction” to recent customer clinics, according to at least one high-ranking BMW official. Aimed at attracting younger customers to BMW’s performance cars, the new coupé is set to become the M division’s most affordable model.

It will slot into the range beneath the M3 coupé, and should cost around £38,000, £8000 more than the 135i Coupé M Sport. That means it will compete directly with Audi’s forthcoming RS3.

Revealing the plans for the new 1-series-based model, M division boss Kay Segler said, “I want to set a clear signal that our products are financially accessible.

M1 details -- http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=337931

initial reports sound great however I believe that similar to the 335i's there won't be much power to be had through bolt-on's or serious $$$. The reason I say this is because if BMW forsaw that people could buy and cheaply build a car that blows away the m3 they won't shell out the money for the m3 which is one of bmw's cash cows. Still you're looking at about 18 months minimum before we can get one.

I wonder how much power, if any, they plan to add to this car. It's already got a good amount of power for the chassis and adding any more power would almost be silly.

The old M1 reminded me of the older lotus espirits.

Will be interesting where they place this, the current 1 series is a good competitor (a little heavy but good). Will this out perform the M3 for a cheaper price?

How pissed would you be to find out after you purchased a 1 series the M was coming out right after.

I would be, but how many who buy the 1 series care about that extra performance? I always see BMW owners mention luxury or comfort before the need of power or performance, while I have always enjoyed BMW's M series it is luxury, performance, comfort, power.

I live in Spartanburg just a few miles from a BMW plant and these employees are all over the place with the 1 series. I have to say that about 90% of them are convertibles with the lesser engine which to me would indicate a wanting of style more than power or performance.

Wow - that car will be so much fun to drive... its basically a 135 w/ better engine / better suspension... probably the only BMW worth the cash

how can they say its financially accessible when its still north for 55K!?!?

If it is not the Coupe variant then no bueno.

Aw, a new Z killer :shakes head:

the 5.0L mustang, this new m135, what's next? A 600 horsepower civic from the factory? Sigh, it seems like every single car that's been released lately with an emphasis on "and horsepower has increased to x".

Seriously, I was reading about the new toyota sienna minivan... being offered with an AWD drivetrain with a 3.5L 260+ hp v6... in a minivan. Sorry I just don't see the point!

Horsepower sells cars, torque wins races. (Sort of)
HP races have always been around, and will probably always exist. Limits on cars will hold back updates or worse, but sooner or later they will catch back up.

600HP Civic....:rofl2: