Automotive News, Media & Press - Bmw M1

Hmmm..

New M1 (14/12/04)

BMW is going to manufacture a hot M-Power version of it’s new 1-Series to take on its rivals the Golf R32, Alfa 147 GTA, & hot new Ford Focus RS. BMW is also planning to use a 3.0 Litre straight six-cylinder engine that will rev to at least 8500 Rpm, with drive through a seven-speed SMG (Sequential Manual Gearbox) driving the rear wheels. Expect 310 Bhp from the 3.0 litre, with kerb weight of under 1500 kg. 0-60 Mph is estimated to be 5.8 secs, with top speed limited to 155 mph. With lightweight engine, with dual-Vanos variable timing system and individual throttle butterflies for each cylinder.

http://www.bmw2002.co.uk/M1.jpg (http://www.bmw2002.co.uk/M1.jpg)

Source:http://www.bmw2002.co.uk/news.htm

Not a bad looking Bimmer. As long as it isn't over 30k, it may be a great EVO/ STi alternative.

http://www.vaiden.net/bmw_m1.jpg

But isnt that an M1? ow can you put that name plate from that car which was awesome for its time on that? Wouldnt it be more fitting for the M1 badge to be on a BMW super sports car?

Thats a nice little pocket rocket :)

Did I just read 7 speed SMG? Well, THAT ANSWERS THE BIG QUESTION. BMW has officially gone SMG only. Weak.

http://www.vaiden.net/bmw_m1.jpg

But isnt that an M1? ow can you put that name plate from that car which was awesome for its time on that? Wouldnt it be more fitting for the M1 badge to be on a BMW super sports car?Yea I agree that a "low-end" M1 sort of goes against the original...HOWEVER, I think BMW has moved away from it's performance roots. BMW has allways tried to market itself as the "Driving Excitement of Germany....dare I say the Bravarian Pontiac"... At any rate, the last few iterations of the e60 and the like BMW has tried to more forecebily match Mercedes' Luxury. Heck look at the e36 M3 (affordable) vs. the e46 M3 (not quite so affordable) to the e90 M3 ($60K+). At any rate, a little 2-door coupe with a 330+hp Inline 6 is more "BMW" than any Z8 or 745i IMOHO.

-Adam

Yea I agree that a "low-end" M1 sort of goes against the original...HOWEVER, I think BMW has moved away from it's performance roots. BMW has allways tried to market itself as the "Driving Excitement of Germany....dare I say the Bravarian Pontiac"... At any rate, the last few iterations of the e60 and the like BMW has tried to more forecebily match Mercedes' Luxury. Heck look at the e36 M3 (affordable) vs. the e46 M3 (not quite so affordable) to the e90 M3 ($60K+). At any rate, a little 2-door coupe with a 330+hp Inline 6 is more "BMW" than any Z8 or 745i IMOHO.

-Adam

The reason the E46 M3 "appears" to be much more expensive than the E36 M3 is because the US spec E36 M3 was nowhere near as extravagant as the Euro spec 321hp iteration. That very reason (price) is the reason why we never got the 321hp model. BMW felt that Americans would be more willing to settle for a lesser powered (240hp) car in exchange for a lowered sticker. After begging BMW to bring an untainted E46 M3 to the states, BMW decided to reverse its thinking and give us a true M3 with the E46 for more dollars.

The reason the E46 M3 "appears" to be much more expensive than the E36 M3 is because the US spec E36 M3 was nowhere near as extravagant as the Euro spec 321hp iteration. That very reason (price) is the reason why we never got the 321hp model. BMW felt that Americans would be more willing to settle for a lesser powered (240hp) car in exchange for a lowered sticker. After begging BMW to bring an untainted E46 M3 to the states, BMW decided to reverse its thinking and give us a true M3 with the E46 for more dollars.Also they didn't bring over the Euro-Spec motor because it requires top-grade fuels and anal maitenance cycles. The S54 I6 in my car is far from a paragon of reliability. Europeans have a higher tolerance for quirky-ness like the SMG. The E36 M3 (even in Euro-spec) was a much more visceral car than the E46. The E46 is much more luxurious (though not up to CLK standards).

At any rate, I think an M1 would be a pretty cool car a nice little return to Bimmer roots.

-Adam

At any rate, I think an M1 would be a pretty cool car a nice little return to Bimmer roots.

-Adam

Which one, the Supercar or the pocket rocket?