BMW 1-SERIES M COUPÉ
The compact gem that ushered in M's turbocharged era
BORN FROM AN OUT-OF-HOURS SKUNKWORKS PROJECT, the 1-series M Coupé was the first true M car with turbocharging and an engine closely related to a 'regular' BMW unit. Understandably, therefore, there were sceptics when the model was announced, but the driving experience quickly allayed any fears that the 1M might be watering down the M proposition.
Using an M135i as its base, the 1M added the rear axle and mechanical limited-slip differential from the E92 M3, providing a solid base for more sophisticated kinematics. This new hardware also increased track widths considerably at both the front (by 71mm) and the rear (44mm), offering improved stability and outright grip, while also requiring new bodywork that gave the 1M its trademark wide wheelarches and stout stance. Beneath the arches were the E92's concave Competition wheels and its brakes too, which sounds like a good thing until you remember that the M3 of that era still used single-piston front calipers. To match the looks, the N54 3-litre straight-six received an M-specific ECU tune, lifting its outputs to 335bhp and 369lb ft, making the 1M good for 0-62mph in 4.9sec and a top speed limited to 155mph (though we saw 170mph on the autobahn without a problem...).
On the road, the 1M is as engaging to drive as it is to look at, with strong torque, a light but slick six-speed manual transmission and lithe dynamics. Its short wheelbase can make it snappy on the limit, but select Sport mode for finer response and the 50:50 weight distribution becomes easier to exploit.
This story is from the November 2024 edition of Evo UK.
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This story is from the November 2024 edition of Evo UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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