The new generation BMW M6 is preparing to rev its way to dealerships in Summer 2012 after its debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March and its promising to be the most powerful super-coupe in BMW’s history. Its twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 engine with 552 HP and 502 lb ft of torque makes it capable of running its owner to their job on a daily basis, as well as running the track in superior fashion. That being said, a BMW insider has stated that the M6 should not be referred to as a "pure sports car." That designation should be left to the super car that the BMW M Division is trying to develop, again.
"M wants to build its own car. BMW has a great heritage of super-coupés and the M6 is the latest part of that. But we also want to do something that we can call a ’super sports car’."
By the time this M Division super car is ready to be launched, BMW is hoping it will take on vehicles like the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG with ease. BMW and its M Division have been trying to come up with a business case for the future super car for a long time, using the BMW M1 Hommage (pictured above) as a starting point. When that concept first debuted in 2008, it was rumored to get a powerful V10 5.0 liter engine capable of delivering 600+ HP, even though the original 1978 BMW M1 only pushed out 270 HP.
We figure that if BMW can attempt at least a happy medium between the original 270 HP and the rumored 600 HP, then the M Division’s super car may be a tough contender in the tough "pure sports car" market. Let us know what you think in the comments section below!
Last year’s picks for the coupe of the year raged a war between the Chevrolet Camaro and the Ford Mustang, but this year things are a bit different. In fact, neither one of these muscle cars made the list, simply because the new Camaro ZL1 isn’t available for purchase just yet.
With the two major muscle cars out of the running, we were still left with a ton of vehicles worthy of some time in the spotlight. Our choices for the top coupes of 2011 are kind of all over the place. From the Audi TT-RS’ return to the States to the Lotus Exige S and its road-going capabilities on the other side of the pond, there’s pretty much a flavor for anybody.
In fact, if we’ve missed one of your favorites, make sure to hit us up.
Hit the jump for our picks for the 2011 Coupe of the Year, in alphabetical order.
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We don’t usually associate Playboy with cars, unless scantily clad women were somehow involved, but the American men’s magazine has just unveiled the top 11 hottest models people should buy in 2012. Now guys can really say they are picking up Playboy’s latest issue for the articles!
The top spot for this honorable list goes to none other than the fastest production Jaguar ever built - the XKR-S! But next to this remarkable sports car is the Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4, the Fiat 500, the Range Rover Evoque, the Lexus CT 200h, the BMW 1-Series M Coupe, the Bentley Continental GTC, the Ford Mustang Boss 302, the Audi A7, the Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG, and the Hyundai Veloster.
There are certainly many fabulous vehicles to choose from on this list - and some not so fabulous vehicles - so do you agree with the top spot? Let us know in the comments section below!
California-based tuning company, Vorsteiner, has made a name for itself for being one of the best BMW tuners in the country today. Oddly enough, though, Vorsteiner’s line-up of programs for BMW vehicles was missing a popular model: the 1-Series M Coupe.
Turns out, Vorsteiner was just biding its time before unloading its very first project for the baby 1M, which they’re now calling the "1M Coupe GTS-V."
The full details of the program have not yet been disclosed, although the company did share a couple of new features the GTS-V program will have on the 1-Series M Coupe. Among the added elements fitted to the 1M include a front spoiler with an integrated brake duct system, a redesigned rear diffuser with extended aero fins and GTS-V designed splitters, a lightweight boot lid with its own small wing, and a new set of either 19" or 20" Forged Concave Wheels. As an added option, Vorsteiner is also offering a cat-back titanium sport exhaust system. On the inside, the tuning company is including some special embroidered floor mats with orange piping to spice up the 1M Coupe’s interior set-up.
No word yet on what kind of performance upgrades the 1M Coupe GTS-V will carry. Rest assured, we won’t expect anything less than ’pedestrian’ figures from Vorsteiner. Knowing these guys, we’re confident that they have something explosive under that hood.
Having a car like the BMW 1-Series M Coupe affords you the opportunity of bringing a tuning company that can play around with it and modify it according to your tastes and preferences.
Such was the case when an owner of the 1-Series M Coupe brought his freshly delivered sports car to the people of IND with the sole purpose of turning it into a bonafide rocket on wheels. Time was of the essence for IND, who were only given 48 hours to complete their project. And true to their reputation as certified pros, IND did a whale of job, building a comprehensive tuning program that includes plenty of specially selected pieces that are all new to the market.
For instance, the 1-Series M Coupe’s hood was taken out, replaced by a new power dome with carbon fiber pieces by Seibon. To give the sports car a colorful balance of sportiness and aggression, IND added gloss black front and side grilles to match the car’s Valencia Orange paint finish. Similarly, the tuning company also put in a two-piece adjustable front lip and two-piece rear diffuser, provided for by RevoZport, a new rear spoiler from BMW Performance, a custom paint scheme for the engine cover, and a Valencia Orange-striped BMW Performance steering wheel.
A one-off, pre-production sports shifter from Rogue Engineering was also put in, as was Eisenmann’s new downpipe-back exhaust system, which was added, together with Akrapovic downpipes, to provide a significant bump up in performance output for the 1-Series M Coupe. With all the changes in tow, the car’s software was further optimized by ESS Tuning, giving it significant improvements in terms of its engine performance.
No word yet on the new numbers for this IND-tuned 1-Series M Coupe, although one wouldn’t be remiss thinking that these could be one of the most powerful tuning programs done on the 1M sports car.
