Hard to believe: BMW M1 confirmed

CARonline is reporting that BMW is reconsidering the BMW M1 to give their 1-Series line a much needed boost. Under former boss Bruhnke, BMW had planned four different M1 variants including a coupe, a convertible, a touring and a lightweight GTR. While the coupe and convertible have been confirmed the GTR was scratched off the list since it would be to expensive, sources say.

When produced, the BMW M1 is expected to carry a modified version of current outgoing BMW M3’s 3.2 liter engine with 343 horsepower. CARonline claims to have seen internal documents provided by their sources that say the M1 will have a 0-62 mph time of 5.2 seconds with a top speed of 175 mph.

The BMW M1 is expected to make its debut next year. The BMW 1-Series will make its debut in the US this summer and will begin selling in early 2008.
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woood - 5/3/2007 10:58:51 AM

+6 Boost

The name M1 should be reserved for BMW Supercars like the previous M1.

LexusNumberOne4ever - 5/3/2007 11:26:29 AM

-12 Boost

With the Lexus IS and GS flying off dealers lots, it is pretty easy to say the coupe market is far from dead.
It just looks like ailing BMW can't handle the pressure when it comes to competing. Lexus is just too strong.

Btw, the 3er and the 1er in general are non-existant in Michigan.
All the ones that are left that are surprisingly (read below) still running are moving targets of vandals and German haters.
So it seems BMW is losing ground and fast.

Luxurious - 5/3/2007 11:05:38 AM

0 Boost

hate to say, but i told u so...
http://www.autospies.com/news/Photoshop-What-the-BMW-M1-might-look-like-by-Autobild-14402/

supermoto - 5/3/2007 12:34:35 PM

+5 Boost

Totally agree with wooow. A car named M1 should be BMW's flagship.

LexusNumberOne4ever - 5/4/2007 2:41:42 AM

-3 Boost

More ricey than the IS-F.

MookGmbH - 5/3/2007 2:57:09 PM

+3 Boost

I agree that the M1 nomenclature is highly hallowed and reserved for the iconic original but... what are they to call it then. The 132i M Sport?

S4cabriofoxone - 5/6/2007 10:30:47 PM

+2 Boost

Why not?

trd1 - 5/3/2007 5:46:19 PM

+2 Boost

kind of ugly, but 342 horses is real good for that little thing. but that thing should be way faster in
0-60, i mean it has 342 hp on a little car, come on.

S4cabriofoxone - 5/6/2007 10:31:17 PM

+1 Boost

It's a photoshop. They stuck a compacted E92's rear on what might be a 1 Series coupe's body.

indoctrin8ed - 5/3/2007 7:44:09 PM

+2 Boost

Yeah, those 0-60 times dont make sense. If it has more horsepower than the current M3 with the same engine, and is lighter, why wouldn't it be faster?

This could turn out to be a pocket rocket.

S4cabriofoxone - 5/6/2007 10:32:18 PM

+1 Boost

Model differentiation. They don't want it to steal sales from the new E92 M3! If they make it too fast, people will overlook the M3 and go for the M1. Well, it might not be that dramatic, but it would bring some in-house competition.

david999 - 5/3/2007 10:02:55 PM

+1 Boost

Wow, this is pityful.

AUTO_UNION - 5/4/2007 9:54:12 AM

+3 Boost

When I read this article something cracked in my head!

S4cabriofoxone - 5/6/2007 10:32:52 PM

+1 Boost

I'll say it again:

"Model differentiation. They don't want it to steal sales from the new E92 M3! If they make it too fast, people will overlook the M3 and go for the M1. Well, it might not be that dramatic, but it would bring some in-house competition."

adambravo - 5/4/2007 4:31:43 PM

+1 Boost

Apparently, I have a somewhat different definition of 'confirmed'. When CAR magazine claims they've seen an internal document of plans assembled by someone who is no longer working for BMW, then the program in question--supported here by some attractive Photoshop work--is far from confirmed. As desirable as it might sound, it is still speculative.

S4cabriofoxone - 5/6/2007 10:34:16 PM

+1 Boost

"CARonline is reporting that BMW is reconsidering the BMW M1 to give their 1-Series line a much needed boost."

READ THIS. This says that it's NOT confirmed- they're "considering" it! This article means nothing!