The BMW 1-Series began its life back in 2004 when the 3-Series was moving up in the world and BMW needed another small family car to serve as an entry model. It started off as a 5-door hatchback, but was introduced as a 2-door coupe, a 3-door hatchback, and a convertible in 2007.
The current engine selection consists of a 3.0L I-6 producing 230hp and 200 lb-ft of torque, and a 3.0L twin turbo I-6 producing 300hp and 300 lb-ft of torque. Both engines are mated to either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission.
Days before the official debut of the BMW 1-Series M Coupe BMW is already planning on future versions of the vehicle. A 1-Series M Convertible may be in the works, as is a special edition version referenced by a BMW source as the "GTS/CSL".
Back in 1975, BMW built a special 3.0 CSL homologated for the European Touring Car Championship. The car was a star during the season winning almost all that it was to be won. Apparently this is the car that will inspire the future special edition 1-Series M Coupe in terms of its exterior design and graphics.
A BMW insider told JonSibal: "Anything is possible, we have ideas and the creativity to expand. In the end it all comes down to the reception of the car. 1M is more personal than any other M car. It has to be more upfront with the customer because it is developed entirely for the customer who want something pure."
UPDATE 01/16/11: Jon Sibal’s rendering of the BMW 1M was so widely received in the industry that a number of company’s are pooling their resources together to build a special edition one-off project based on his work. According to Jon himself, he will be working on the project with Chicago BMW tunner IND Distribution to bring the 1M rendering to life. Joining Jon and IND in their project will be Patrick BMW, ESS Tuning, Brembo, KW suspension, Challenge Engineering, and Eisenmann Exhaust Systems. No word yet on when the build is going to begin, but nonetheless, it’s a car that we’re all looking forward to seeing once it’s finished.
Hit the jump to read more about the future BMW 1-Series M Coupe GTS/CSL.
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Talk about extreme tuning. We guess this is what the BMW 1-Series Coupe would look like if it needed a mouth guard. However, this BMW is not only ready to take a punch, but deliver one as well with its obvious exterior modifications and engine upgrade.
Starting off with the chassis from the E82 1-Series Coupe chassis, Senkyr Motorsports have added the same design styling to it as found on their recent package for the E92 M3 GTR. It includes a super aggressive - to put it mildly - front bumper featuring quad canards, wide front fenders, and a front mount intercooler. There are also new headlamps, new exterior mirrors, and, of course, a new set of BBS Motorsport Race wheels measuring 18×10 in the front and 18×12 in the rear. The rear also gets a new bumper and a huge wing, although it is nowhere near the size of the monstrous front end.
For the engine, the tuner is offering two turbocharged inline six-cylinder engines with a 24-valve 2xOHC, treatment landlord Motorsport intercooler, electronics BMW series, modification intercooler, and a racing exhaust. The result is an impressive 402 hp at 7200 rpm.
They can talk it up all they want, but this is a face only a mother could love.
Now that BMW has revealed the BMW 1-Series Coupe and Convertible and the 1-Series M Coupe, it’s only natural that artists everywhere are drawing up their renditions of the M-version convertible. We obviously don’t expect the convertible to go on sale anytime before the coupe, but we will bet our annual salary that the vehicle will be produced for the eager market.
The 1-Series M Convertible will be similar to its coupe brother, with the exception of its drop top. Other than that, the convertible will feature the same sporty exterior package along with the same engine. Like with the coupe version, the convertible will be offered in three exterior colors: Alpine White, Black Sapphire Metallic, and Valencia Orange Metallic.
However, before we get the chance to see the convertible version, BMW will unveil the 1-Series M Coupe at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show.
UPDATE 12/21/2010: Check out some new renderings of the future 1-Series Convertible in the gallery provided.
Hit the jump to read more about the future BMW 1-Series M Convertible.
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BMW is set to unveil the facelift version of the 1-Series, both coupe and convertible, at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show, but before the drapes fall, BMW has decided to offer the first details on the new models just a few weeks earlier.
For the 2012 model year, the 1-Series has received carefully selected design modifications, optimized aerodynamics, and attractive equipment features. What we don’t know about yet is the engine lineup, but we assume that it will be coming in the same setup as before. The only modifications that may be made are for the 135i, which will see its 3.0-liter twin-turbo engine dropped in favor of a twin-scroll turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine.
For the interior, the standard-version now includes a wide range of features that further reinforce the strong sense of quality and refinement. The interior trim strip range has been revised and now includes an Alpine White version.
Hit the jump to read more about the 2012 BMW 1-Series Coupe
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