When Agent 001 and I had the chance to drive the all-new BMW 1M back a year or so ago, I remember going in very skeptical. How good could it be? It's motor wasn't an "S" powerplant, which means it wasn't an M-specific engine, and it didn't appear that special.
After wheeling and dealing though, I was hooked.
As the 2011 model year product was a very limited run, BMW has moved on with the next-gen 1-Series with M flavor. Though it's not TECHNICALLY a 1M replacement as it's an M Performance product -- not the whole banana -- the M135i will have to do for now.
Our friends at AutoWeek are reporting though that a U.S.-bound coupe -- to be dubbed the 2-Series (not the first time we've heard this without any formal action on behalf of BMW) -- word is we'll receive an M Performance M235i to replace the 1M.
That doesn't seem to add up as the 1M was the real deal with tons of M3 bits under that wide-ass body.
Wouldn't that rule out a proper 1/2-Series M car then?
BMW will introduce the first in what will become a line of M Performance models to North America in early 2014 with the M235i coupe. It will take the place of the 1-series M coupe which recently ceased production after a run of more than 6,000 units, some 600 of which were sold in the United States.
BMW is renaming the coupe and convertible versions of the 1-series as the 2-series for the vehicle's second generation. The hatchback retains the 1-series designation.
The M235i coupe, not yet confirmed officially, is set for a debut at the 2014 Detroit auto show. It is the sister model to the M135i hatchback that will go on sale across Europe in September...
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