The powerful BMW 1-Series 'M' is confirmed
BMW has confirmed there will be a 1-Series ‘M’ car, but it will NOT be called the M1. Expect the BMW 135i M on sale in early 2011 at around £40k.
Yes, there’s been endless speculation that BMW’s baby 1 series would get an ‘M’ badged model to sit at the top of the model range. But it’s not really speculation, just an observation that the inevitable is coming. What is contentious in this speculation is the generally held belief that it will be called the M1. As we’ve said before – not a chance that BMW will attach the M1 moniker to a car at the bottom of its model range.
And so it is. BMW has confirmed that there will be an M-badged 1 Series car, and that it will NOT be called the M1. Most probably BMW 135i M. But it matters not. The M1 badge will stay in reserve for a BMW M1 Supercar. Which we still expect at some point soon – probably by 2012.
But what of the 135i M? Expect 350bhp from the twin-turbo six-pot wrapped inside a suitably fettled 1-series coupe with M-Tweaked suspension but still retaining the 1-Series setup – just sportier. Performance should be low 5 seconds to 60 mph and economy little different to the 135i at around 30mpg.
There’s a good chance the 1-Series M will turn up at the Paris Motor Show in September and go on sale in early 2011. Expect prices to be nudging £40,000.
jimmy says
Lovely jubbly