As dual-clutch transmissions, all manner of computer whiz-bangery, and endless factory customization options become the norm for production sports cars, BMW aficionados longing for the clutch pedal days can breathe a sigh of relief. According to information recently leaked from a BMW press event, BMW's much-anticipated 1 Series M will reportedly be a limited-run, three-pedal coupe, with three color choices.
While most of the car's specifics are still under wraps, attendees of a BMW press event recently learned three key parts to the 1 Series M equation. The bright orange paint that we've seen in teaser videos and spy shots is called Valencia orange, and will be one of three colors offered; the other two will be Alpine white and Jet black.
BMW plans to produce no more than 2700 copies of the coupe, which is set to make its debut as a 2011 model, for added exclusivity. And for purists, the 1 Series M coupe will be clutch pedal-only, eschewing BMW's dual-clutch transmission for a sole-choice manual.
The source at the event also confirmed that M3-style side gills will make it to the production model, which we've only seen so far in camouflage or under covers.
When the 1 Series M debuts, it will have to beat the performance of the fastest 1's four-cylinder turbocharged engine, which produces 300 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque. We're still unsure of all the performance bells and whistles BMW is likely to shoehorn into the compact engine bay.
With a 1 Series coupe that already has M3-esque performance, how fast will a 1 Series M need to be to earn your vote? And is offering the 1 Series M with a manual only a good idea?
Source - http://www.4autochannel.com/spy-shots-will-bmw-1-series-be-manual-only.html
Follow our full E82 1 Series M coverage at http://www.bimmerfest.com/tag/1-series-m/
While most of the car's specifics are still under wraps, attendees of a BMW press event recently learned three key parts to the 1 Series M equation. The bright orange paint that we've seen in teaser videos and spy shots is called Valencia orange, and will be one of three colors offered; the other two will be Alpine white and Jet black.
BMW plans to produce no more than 2700 copies of the coupe, which is set to make its debut as a 2011 model, for added exclusivity. And for purists, the 1 Series M coupe will be clutch pedal-only, eschewing BMW's dual-clutch transmission for a sole-choice manual.
The source at the event also confirmed that M3-style side gills will make it to the production model, which we've only seen so far in camouflage or under covers.
When the 1 Series M debuts, it will have to beat the performance of the fastest 1's four-cylinder turbocharged engine, which produces 300 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque. We're still unsure of all the performance bells and whistles BMW is likely to shoehorn into the compact engine bay.
With a 1 Series coupe that already has M3-esque performance, how fast will a 1 Series M need to be to earn your vote? And is offering the 1 Series M with a manual only a good idea?
Source - http://www.4autochannel.com/spy-shots-will-bmw-1-series-be-manual-only.html
Follow our full E82 1 Series M coverage at http://www.bimmerfest.com/tag/1-series-m/