Autoblog

BMW says yes to 1 Series M successor, no to M6 Gran Coupe with xDrive

Steven J. Ewing — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 09:58:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Sedan, Performance, BMW, Luxury

If you're anything like us, the first half of that headline made you smile. The BMW 1 Series M Coupe was, without a doubt, one of our favorite cars from the past few years, and according to a BMW Blog interview, Dr. Friedrich Nitschke, head of the company's M division, has confirmed that a successor is in the works.

"We haven't made a decision yet, but the 1M coupe was so successful, that in my opinion, I am absolutely sure we will build a successor," Nitschke told BMW Blog. Currently, BMW only offers the M135i version of the new 1 Series hatch in Europe, which Nitschke says is "not a pure M car."

Moving elsewhere in the M range, BMW Blog asked about the M6 Gran Coupe that recently debuted at this year's Detroit Auto Show. The obvious competitors for this car will be higher-power versions of the Porsche Panamera and Audi RS7, but while both of those offer all-wheel drive, the M6 only sends power to its rear wheels.

"We will not bring an all-wheel drive, only a rear-wheel drive," Nitschke said in the interview. The main reason is that adding AWD means additional weight has to be tacked on, and even so, the BMW executives said that the car was developed to have specific handling and steering characteristics common to a rear-wheel-drive car. "I think it's perfect the way it is," Nitschke stated.

BMW says yes to 1 Series M successor, no to M6 Gran Coupe with xDrive originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Mar 2013 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW creates exclusive polo shirt for 1 Series M Coupe owners

George Kennedy — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Marketing/Advertising, BMW, Design/Style

So you are one of the 6,309 lucky drivers to own the terrifically excellent BMW 1 Series M Coupe, but don't feel like it sets you apart enough from the rest of us? Well first, we have the tiniest violin in the world, ready to play a sad song. Once that is out of the way, BMW has some very unique gear for you. Pierre Leclercq, the Manager of Design for M Automobiles, has come out with a polo shirt that will be available only to 1 Series M Coupe owners. Each shirt will have the owner's name embroidered on the left sleeve, and the silhouette of their car will be emblazoned on the back of the shirt. It is is even stitched in the color of the owner's car!

The shirts are limited to one per vehicle, and owners are able to order a shirt by entering their VIN when placing the order online. Each shirt is produced as a one-off, specifically designed for the owner of said 1 M Coupe, making the act of wearing one a sort of 'secret handshake' for 1 Series M Coupe owners. Nice.

Continue reading BMW creates exclusive polo shirt for 1 Series M Coupe owners

BMW creates exclusive polo shirt for 1 Series M Coupe owners originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Nov 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pics Aplenty: BMW celebrates 40 years of M

Jeff Sabatini — Wed, 16 May 2012 19:29:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Performance, BMW, Luxury

When we think of the BMW M division, the 1978 M1 comes instantly to mind, followed by the E30 M3 and then the 2001-2002 M Coupe. But the company's in-house hot rod shop actually dates back to 1972, when it was formed as a subsidiary to manage the company's racing operations, dubbed BMW Motorsport.

It was this month 40 years ago that what is known today as BMW M GmbH was launched. So to celebrate its anniversary, BMW has offloaded some 50 lustworthy images celebrating that performance history. See them all in our gallery.

Pics Aplenty: BMW celebrates 40 years of M originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 May 2012 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW 1 M Coupe gets 521-horsepower lift from Tuningwerk

Jeff Sabatini — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 15:29:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, Europe, BMW

There is a point at which the amount of money poured into any aftermarket-tuned vehicle becomes entirely insane. Heck, that's half of the appeal of tuner cars - that the best ones show such fanatical devotion to a specific model that you must respect the inspiration and effort even when the result is utterly unimaginable. Which brings us to this: A $156,000 BMW 1 Series.

Now granted, it's not just any 1'er that German übertuner Tuningwerk is selling for more than a Porsche 911 Turbo. There's a 1 M Coupe in there somewhere, one that's been fitted with 19-inch wheels and some of the widest tires we've ever seen on a compact BMW: 245/35R19 up front and 285/30R19 in the rear. Available 15-inch carbon ceramic rotors from Mov'it provide stopping power for the 521-horsepower, 453 pound-foot of torque upgrade to the twin-turbo inline six. The car also carries a whole host of carbon fiber body parts, from hood to trunk to even optional carbon fiber doors.

The bottom line is that Tuningwerk says its 1 M RS will do 186 mph. Scroll down to read the full press release and be sure to check out all the photos in our gallery.

Continue reading BMW 1 M Coupe gets 521-horsepower lift from Tuningwerk

BMW 1 M Coupe gets 521-horsepower lift from Tuningwerk originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 Apr 2012 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW M5 quicker than 1 M Coupe quicker than M3

Zach Bowman — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 11:01:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Sedan, Performance, Europe, BMW, Luxury

Autobild recently set out to settle the question of which M vehicle is the fastest in the BMW stable at the moment. Not surprisingly, the German enthusiast publication found the BMW M3 CRT to be the quickest around the Sachsenring, setting the magazine's fastest time around the track with a 1:38.37 minute lap time. That's impressive, but not nearly as astounding as the time drummed up by the new BMW M5. The portly sedan did the same deed in 1:38.90, or just three hundredths of a second slower than the special-edition M3.

And what of the sibling rivalry between the BMW 1 Series M Coupe and the standard M3? As it turns out, the magazine's shoes have given the nod to the smaller of the two coupes. The 1 Series M Coupe barely eked out a win over the M3, though the M3 Convertible took nearly two extra seconds to make it around the course than its hardtop twin.

BMW M5 quicker than 1 M Coupe quicker than M3 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 29 Dec 2011 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi RS3 goes head-to-head against BMW 1 M Coupe in drag race

Noah Joseph — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 16:57:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Videos, Hatchback, Audi, BMW

BMW 1 M Coupe vs Audi RS3 - Click above to watch the video after the jump

There's no end to the vehicles to which you could compare the BMW 1 M Coupe. You could pit it against its big brother the M3, or the original that is its spiritual ancestor. Top Gear put it in unusual context with the Volkswagen GTI. Autocar against the Porsche Cayman R. The list goes on and on, but perhaps its most natural modern rival is the Audi RS3.

Sure the RS3 has all-wheel drive and a dual-clutch gearbox, not to mention two more doors, but their stats are otherwise pretty much spot-on. That's why AutoExpress chose these two for the most basic type of race you could imagine: a straight-line drag down the quarter-mile. Follow the jump to see who won.

Continue reading Audi RS3 goes head-to-head against BMW 1 M Coupe in drag race

Audi RS3 goes head-to-head against BMW 1 M Coupe in drag race originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 Jul 2011 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Podcast #237

Dan Roth — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 15:45:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Podcasts, Government/Legal, Plants/Manufacturing, BMW, Chevrolet, Ford, Porsche, Toyota

Cruze beats Camry, V8 Supercars to race in Austin, HOV stickers expire, 2012 Toyota Camry

Click above for the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes, RSS or listen now!

Episode #237 of the Autoblog Podcast is done, a day later thanks to us celebrating the 4th of July holiday. Chris, Zach, Dan and Chris Paukert start with the Chevrolet Cruze outselling the Toyota Camry in June. Other topics include Australia's V8 Supercar race series invading Austin, California's Hybrid HOV access stickers expiring and the 2012 Toyota Camry. Your questions and comments finish us up, and live podcasts will be back soon at our UStream channel. We've embedded our Q&A module after the jump for you to scroll through and follow along, too. Thanks for listening!

Autoblog Podcast #237:

In the Autoblog Garage
2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid
2011 Chevrolet Camaro SS Convertible
2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder
2011 BMW 1M Coupe

Hosts: Dan Roth, Chris Shunk, Zach Bowman, Chris Paukert
Runtime: 01:12:19

Get the podcast
[UStream] Listen live on Mondays at 10PM Eastern at UStream
[iTunes] Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes
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[MP3] Download the MP3 directly

Feedback
Email: Podcast at Autoblog dot com
Voicemail: 734-288-8POD (734-288-8763)

Review the show in iTunes and take our survey

Continue reading Autoblog Podcast #237

Autoblog Podcast #237 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 06 Jul 2011 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW files trademark for M2

Jeff Glucker — Tue, 31 May 2011 15:29:00 EST

Filed under: BMW, Rumormill

2011 BMW 1 Series M - Click above for high-res image gallery

We already told you that BMW has decided to limit production of the 1 Series M, making it a one-year proposition. Now, we may know a bit more about this decision. The German automaker has reportedly filed trademarks on the terms "M2" and "BMW M2." Where is the 2 Series upon which these terms could apply? Rumor has it that the next-generation BMW 1 Series will grow up and become the 2 Series.

Of course, a BMW 2 Series is not a foregone conclusion, but it's always a wise idea to stay a step ahead. At the very least, BMW is making sure that the M2 name will be ready should it choose to go the 2 Series route.

BMW files trademark for M2 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 31 May 2011 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW 1M Coupe MotoGP safety car lit up and ready to roll

Aaron Richardson — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Europe, BMW, Motorcycle, Racing

The 2011 BMW 1 Series M Coupe is serving duty as one of the safety cars for the 2011 MotoGP Championship, which kicks off this weekend at the Grand Prix of Qatar. The 1M Coupe that will be handling safety car duties has been smartened up a little from stock, starting with an Akrapovic sport exhaust.

BMW also added a big rear wing, a chin spoiler and BMW Motorsport's fabled tri-color paint scheme. To cap the look off, BMW has finished the wheels and exhaust tips in black. No word yet on whether the accessories on the MotoGP pace car will be made available to the public, or if this car is a one-shot deal. Check out more pics of the safety car by visiting our friends at 1Addicts (link below).

[Source: 1Addicts | Image: 1Addicts]

BMW 1M Coupe MotoGP safety car lit up and ready to roll originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Mar 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 BMW 1 Series M Coupe priced from $47,010, 650i Convertible from $91,375

Noah Joseph — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Detroit Auto Show, Convertible, Coupe, Performance, BMW, Luxury

BMW 1 Series M Coupe (above) and 650i Convertible (below right) - Click either image for high-res image galleries

BMW rolled out the excitement this year at the Detroit Auto Show with new debuts like the 1 Series M Coupe and the new 650i Convertible. But while we knew most everything about these powerful new Bavarian two-doors, we were missing one thing - the make-it or break-it factor for many potential buyers: pricing.

So with the veils lifted on both these models, BMW North America has announced official pricing for each. The compact, six-cylinder 1 Series M Coupe will start at $47,010, while its much larger eight-cylinder, drop-top counterpart, the 650i Convertible, starts out at nearly double that: $91,375.

Of course, options on either will take you far beyond their listed MSRPs, but the prices quoted include destination and handling charges. BMW's official announcement - including pricing on the updated 1 Series coupe and convertible range - can be found in the press release after the jump.

Gallery: 2012 BMW 1 Series M Coupe

Gallery: 2012 BMW 6 Series Convertible

[Source: BMW]

Continue reading 2012 BMW 1 Series M Coupe priced from $47,010, 650i Convertible from $91,375

2012 BMW 1 Series M Coupe priced from $47,010, 650i Convertible from $91,375 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Jan 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW 1 Series M Coupe reportedly faster 'round the Ring than E46 M3, E60 M5

Noah Joseph — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 10:52:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, BMW

2012 BMW 1 Series M Coupe - Click above for high-res image gallery

With 335 horsepower underhood and a 0-60 time pegged at 4.7 seconds, there's no doubt that BMW's hot new 1 Series M Coupe is a sprightly little monster. But just how fast is it? For that we'll want to look at its Nürburgring lap times for some guidance.

As with any performance Bimmer, the 1 Series M Coupe underwent much of its development and fine-tuning on the Norschleife, and sources indicate an impressive lap time of 8:12. That the current E92-generation M3, with its high-revving V8 engine and 8:05 lap time, makes better time around the Nordschleife than the 1 Series M Coupe should come as no surprise - Despite being smaller and lighter, BMW wouldn't have allowed the 1 M to overtake its costlier brother.

What's more indicative, however, is that - on the more level six-pot playing field - the 1 Series M Coupe is reportedly quicker around the 'Ring than the previous-generation M3's 8:22 lap time. (The track-focused CSL version is significantly swifter at 7:50, its successor the M3 GTS that much more so at 7:48, but with more hardcore versions of the 1 Series M Coupe potentially in the pipeline, all bets are off.)

The new 1 Series M Coupe is also apparently quicker around the Ring than the outgoing M5 - that supercar of four-door sedans - with its award-winning V10 engine, proving that agility will pip power on anything but a straight line any day.

Gallery: 2012 BMW 1 Series M Coupe

[Source: BimmerFile]

BMW 1 Series M Coupe reportedly faster 'round the Ring than E46 M3, E60 M5 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 13 Dec 2010 10:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW 1M Coupe stops by Paris, doesn't even stay for the show

Noah Joseph — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 11:28:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupe, Performance, BMW

BMW 1M Coupe teasers - Click above for image gallery

Between the 6 Series Coupe concept, the 5 Series Touring wagon and the new X3 crossover, BMW had plenty to show us this year at the Paris Motor Show. But the real surprise, as it turns out, may have been in the French capital during the show, it wasn't even put on display. Instead, the Bavarian automaker took its currently-in-progress 1M Coupe out onto the city's famous tree-lined boulevards, covered up and disguised, but did a suitably Parisian burlesque striptease to give us a glimpse at what to expect.

Aside from the silhouette, all we can see are the front fender, headlamp (which is now taped-up in Zorro-esque fashion for some reason) and part of the air dam - all of which we saw before in the last teaser video - along with a newly-revealed section of the rear bumper and quad-pipe exhaust, plus the wheels protruding from the flared arches. If previous reports prove accurate, there will only be 2,700 examples on offer, so this may be the best look we'll get for some time... better check it out in the gallery below. Thanks for the tip, Jason!

Gallery: BMW 1M Coupe teasers

[Source: BMW M-Power via 1Addicts]

BMW 1M Coupe stops by Paris, doesn't even stay for the show originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 06 Oct 2010 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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