BMW 1-series M Coupe unveiled- 'Ring times compared

The moment every BMW enthusiast has been anticipating is here- The new 1-series M Coupe has been officially unveiled! The 1-series M uses a 3.0-liter powerplant derived from the celebrated N54 and N55 turbocharged inline-six engines. Output is officially stated as being 335hp at 5900rpm and 332lb-ft. of torque at 1500rpm, with an overboost feature adding 37lb-ft. of torque for a limited time, presumably similar to that found in the 335is. BMW claim that the 1-series M gets from 0-62mph in a quick 4.9 seconds, about four tenths of a second faster than the current 135i. It is offered only with a six-speed manual transmission, with MSRP expected at around $46,000 US.

The official Nurburgring lap time of the 1-series M was 8 minutes and 12 seconds- 10 seconds faster than the last generation E46 M3. This puts it exactly even with the Z4 M Coupe's laptime, and between the E63 M6 (8:09) and E60 M5 (8:13). However, the 1M was three seconds slower around the ring than the Audi TT-RS, its main competitor. Considering the Audi's large projected price premium over the 1er, the 1-series M Coupe just might be the greatest performance bargain on the market when it hits dealers in Spring 2011.

Pictured: BMW 1-series M Coupe in Valencia Orange

Source: 1Addicts and Steved at 1Addicts