Report: BMW’s M division working on 350-hp M1

BMW 135i

We’ve been hearing about an M version of the 1-Series coupe for some time now; however, BMW has yet to confirm anything – until now. M division boss Kay Segler revealed plans for an M version of the 1-Series coupe to AutoCar and said that he wants to send a “clear signal that our products are financially accessible.”

“With the modular production processes in place at BMW, it is possible to create performance cars that customers can not only dream about owning but also realistically afford,” Segler said.

The decision to approve the car for production came after an “overwhelmingly positive reaction” to recent customer clinics, said another BMW official.

Power for the M 1-Series coupe will come from BMW’s new 3.0L turbocharged straight 6-cylinder unit, which will be modified to produce around 350-hp, 48 more horsepower than the 135i and 70-hp less than the M3’s 4.0L V8.

According to AutoCar, we can expect to see the car sometime in 2011.

– By: Omar Rana

Source: AutoCar