BMW 1 Series M Coupe - B to the M to the W to the 1 and to the M Again

It’s always a good thing when a new BMW gets an M badge. This time it’s the 2011 1 Series M Coupe. If there’s one general complaint about BMW’s compact catapults, it’s that they’re a touch on the lardy side. So a version with more power and some weight-saving measures is especially welcome. The usual twin-turbo straight six in the 135i makes 300 hp and 300 lb-ft of torque from its three liters. For the M, that’s been hiked to 335 and 332 respectively, with an overboost function for a temporary fix of 369 lb-ft. There’s also an M button that sharpens throttle response. No dual-clutch transmission, but a six-speed manual. There’s a whole load of aluminum suspension parts, lightweight alloy wheels, plus hollow antiroll bars. The metal roof is 35 pounds lighter than a standard coupe with a moonroof, so that’s a good place from which to shed weight. We’re looking at zero to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds and the quarter-mile in 13.2 seconds. The suspension has been tuned at the famed Nürburgring. Rumor has it that the 1 M did the North Loop in an impressive eight minutes and 12 seconds. Trouble is, that same rumor puts an Audi TT RS at three seconds quicker. We’re sure BMW will do something about that.