BMW 1 Series M Coupe On Sale In Australia

BMW's tiny hero is here, with the official launch this week of the 1 Series M Coupe - the ultra sharp, ultra limited-edition flagship in the outgoing 1 Series line-up.

With just 200 cars allocated to Australia and the initial 100-car allotment already sold, the specced-out $99,900 1 M Coupe is bound to fly out of showrooms. 

Kicking the already-impressive 135i from the top rung in the 1 Series line-up, the 1 M Coupe is powered by BMW's twin-turbo 3.0 litre inline-six, producing 250kW and a huge 450Nm of torque from 1500rpm.

Through the use of an 'overboost' function, the 1 M will deliver an extra 50Nm of torque at full throttle, and with the full 500Nm called in, the 1 M Coupe will rocket to 100km/h in 4.9 seconds, covering the quarter-mile in 13.2 seconds. Top speed is electronically limited to 250km/h.

Power is sent to the wheels through a newly-developed six-speed manual transmission only, weighing in at just 43kg.

“This is a return to what BMW has always done best: building the perfectly balanced sports coupe,” BMW Group Australia Managing Director Phil Horton said.

“There would be few cars on the road that could offer as much sheer driving pleasure."

Driving and performance aids include BMW's steering-mounted M Drive button, increasing throttle response for those seeking a more spirited and race-minded drive.

The 1 M Coupe also gets a variable M differential lock and a dynamic stability control system.

According to BMW, the 1 M is gifted with a chassis that is "faster than its engine," and its suspension - including all-aluminium struts up front and a reworked five-arm rear axle - offers a 51.7/48.3 weight balance.

Braking is managed by vented and cross-drilled compound disc brakes, measuring 360mm at the front and 350mm at the rear. Sitting in front of each disc are the M3 GTS' 19-inch light alloy M wheels, nine inches wide at the front and 10 at the rear.

BMW has given the 1 Series M a unique aerodynamics package to reduce lift at high speeds, and styling tweaks include new front and rear bumpers, chrome-wrapped side markers behind the front wheel arches, tweaked headlights and tail lights, and flared wheel arches for a wider track and a more aggressive look.

Thanks to those wider guards, the 1 Series M is a full 55mm wider than the previous flagship 135i Coupe.

For Australia, the 1 M Coupe's standard features include navigation, voice control, internet, remote alarm system, adaptive xenon headlights, Harman Kardon surround-sound, M servotronic, M Drive, and 19-inch M light alloy wheels.

The 1 Series M Coupe is available in three exterior paint finishes, Alpine White, Sapphire Black and Valencia Orange - the third option being unique to this model. Black Boston leather is the standard upholstery.

Pricing

The BMW 1 Series M Coupe is priced at $99,900 (plus on-roads) and is available now.