Filed under: Convertibles, Coupes, Sports/GTs, Euro, BMW
BMW M1 reborn as the new tii!
The M series cars are now a staple of the BMW lineup, representing the high-performance iterations of several of the "mainstream" models. However, back in 1978 before the M3 or M5 or M6 were ever conceived, BMW had a desire to compete against the Porsche 911 that was dominating endurance racing in the FIA Group 4 and Group 5 categories. Thus the original M1 was born as a mid-engine sports car with a Giugiaro designed body and a twin-cam inline-6 that eventually found it's way into the first generation M5/M6.
The original M1 is largely forgotten today, but the badge may be set for a revival on a car that is more of a modern descendant of the car that created BMW's sports-sedan reputation. The new 1-series coupe-based M1 is expected to take up the mantle of the original 2002tii that pre-dates even the mighty M1. Coupe and convertible M1s may appear in the second half of 2008 with hand-me down motivation from an updated 3.2L six from the last generation M3. The little coupe with the big six could hit 62mph from a standstill in 5.2seconds.
Since BMW seems to be increasingly keen on turbocharging of late, a pressurized direct injected four cylinder with E85 capability might make a more efficient, cost effective and better performing alternative to the old M3 mill.
[Source: Car]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
CoreyG 12:10PM (5/03/2007)
over 300 horsepower in a tiny coupe and the best it can manage is 5.2 to 62? Looks like they're messing with the gearing, ala Cayman S, to have it perform poorer than its big brothers.
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narcszm 12:12PM (5/03/2007)
Put the turbo mill in it.
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KazO 12:19PM (5/03/2007)
BMW has said fairly recently that it intends for M cars to continue with bespoke, non-boosted engines. We'll see how long they're willing to stick to that. Frankly, the S54 doesn't seem to be the best fit for a potential M
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KazO 12:20PM (5/03/2007)
BMW has said fairly recently that it intends for M cars to continue with bespoke, non-boosted engines. We'll see how long they're willing to stick to that. Frankly, the S54 doesn't seem to be the best fit for a potential M sub-3 (I don't see how they can use 'M1'). What it really needs is a modern interpretation of the S14. That'll make it an instant hit with the '02 and E30 crowd, but unfortunately its wider commercial success will be limited, and will also be rather the loser in the HP wars.
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Nick 12:21PM (5/03/2007)
I'd say it's moreso a case of on-paper understatement than actual mechanical fudging. BMW hugely underrated the performance of the 335i as well.
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Mike 12:21PM (5/03/2007)
I have no problem with an M treatement on the 1 series... I would change the naming convention though. Don't tell me it can't be done, look at the M3 vs M Roadster and M Coupe. This car can receive the M treatement while leaving the iconic 'M1' name intact.
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bgdc 12:25PM (5/03/2007)
Actually, the 3.0TT would be a much better idea.
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peterb 12:32PM (5/03/2007)
First off, I sort of like how the 'new' M1 looks--sort of like the kid brother of the M3 (which it should be). Some of the design seem likes a mash between the older 3-series body and the newer one (can't remember the 'E' designation).
That being said I really think they should give it a different name. The original M1 is legendary (well, at least to me it is) so to use the badge on what is basically the 'entry' M car is kind of like a fall from grace in my opinion.
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Richard 12:42PM (5/03/2007)
I like this!
If they add AWD they'll have a nice STi/ EVO fighter on their hands.
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Jon 12:42PM (5/03/2007)
Yeah, they shouldn't mess with the M1 name. What they can do, though, is only make it in the two door version and call it the "M2".
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Quattrofan 12:56PM (5/03/2007)
Richard, that car is called Audi S3.
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JayP 1:07PM (5/03/2007)
2002tii? Needs TURBO on reverse though.
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bmoredlj 1:16PM (5/03/2007)
If they bring the 1-series to the u.s., this M2 (even-numbered, like the 6 coupe) would be a cheaper alternative to the M3, which is skyrocketing in price.
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naggs 1:23PM (5/03/2007)
its pretty hard to imagine BMW screwing this one up. i am kind of concerned about the engine choices they are talking about, i mean if its done right, 260 should be more than enough. its almost a shame that BMW has refined their inline 6s to over 250 hp. i would love a 200 hp 2.5 six in a light weight driver's car.
it will all come down to weight, if they keep the weight down then this truly is the new tii. if it weighs 3200 lbs, then its just a small 3 series.
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bgdc 1:28PM (5/03/2007)
1. People need to f^cking cool it with the pricing complaints regarding the M3. The price in the USA is not set. In the UK it's the equivalent of 100k US Dollars. UK prices are always 45% higher than US prices. 55k US Dollars for an M3 seems about right as the last one was going for about 49k. With the 335i easily breaking into the mid 40s on pricing, they couldn't have the M3 just a hair's breath away.
2. The 3.2 from the e46 M3 is old school and a gas guzzler - literally you must pay a fat gas guzzler tax. The 1/2 series can't possibly be going with that engine. I call utter and complete BS on this made-up story.
3. BMW will bring the 1/2 series here but don't count on them ever calling it an M1 as the coupe won't even be called a 1 series! And don't bet on them putting an old engine into a brand new model. They've got 270 HP 3.0 mills that aren't gas guzzlers and the 300 hp 3.0 twin turbo available. If the 2 series is under 3300 lbs with the 3.0TT, it'll rip to 60 in well under 60 seconds.
The Car story is balderdash.
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bgdc 1:28PM (5/03/2007)
1. People need to f^cking cool it with the pricing complaints regarding the M3. The price in the USA is not set. In the UK it's the equivalent of 100k US Dollars. UK prices are always 45% higher than US prices. 55k US Dollars for an M3 seems about right as the last one was going for about 49k. With the 335i easily breaking into the mid 40s on pricing, they couldn't have the M3 just a hair's breath away.
2. The 3.2 from the e46 M3 is old school and a gas guzzler - literally you must pay a fat gas guzzler tax. The 1/2 series can't possibly be going with that engine. I call utter and complete BS on this made-up story.
3. BMW will bring the 1/2 series here but don't count on them ever calling it an M1 as the coupe won't even be called a 1 series! And don't bet on them putting an old engine into a brand new model. They've got 270 HP 3.0 mills that aren't gas guzzlers and the 300 hp 3.0 twin turbo available. If the 2 series is under 3300 lbs with the 3.0TT, it'll rip to 60 in well under 5 seconds.
The Car story is balderdash.
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proud like cow 1:31PM (5/03/2007)
i agree. if its done right, 200 hp will be fine.
if this car ends up being half as good as it could be, well it will be pretty damn good.
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Steve 1:32PM (5/03/2007)
They should just put the TT from the 335 in there. would be amazing.
Even the e46 M3 block would still be fast. Alot faster than 5.2 to 60.
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judd 1:43PM (5/03/2007)
That must be Canadian Seconds instead of US. Sorry, couldn't resist.
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jg 1:46PM (5/03/2007)
'BMW will bring the 1/2 series here but don't count on them ever calling it an M1 as the coupe won't even be called a 1 series! '
The coupe is part of the 1 series, there will be no 2 series. The idea of having coupes as even numbers died a slow death years ago, no 2 series and no 4 series representing 2 door 3s.
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