The start of the BMW M Track Experience Asia 2012 event at the Sepang International Circuit today also saw the launch of the BMW 1 Series M Coupe. The machine promises to be special, and not just from a performance point of view – there are only three units up for grabs here, and we hear that one has already been snapped up.
The fastest 1er is powered by the N54 3.0 litre inline-six, with 340 hp and 450 Nm on call, mated to a six -speed manual gearbox. Performance figures for the 1,495 kg mule with a kick include a 0-100 km/h time of 4.9 seconds, and it gets to an electronically-limited 250 km/h. The M Coupe sits on 19-inch wheels as seen on the M3 Competition Package and M3 GTS, wrapped with 245/35 front and 265/35 rear tyres.
Kit includes lots of bulging bits, and mechanically, there’s a M differential lock and DSC, which includes ABS, DBC, CBC and anti-slip control in its arsenal. Not that it’s all work and no play with this one – on the mod con front, there’s navigation, infotainment and communications through ConnectedDrive, all paraded through an 8.8-inch display.
The interior boasts sports seats wrapped in Boston leather, replete with orange contrast stitching on the black seat and headrest surfaces, and to remind you of what you’re in, there’s a M steering wheel and the usual host of M logos; it’s even embossed on the headrest front. All this uniqueness will cost RM508,800, on-the-road, without insurance. Considering that it’s only a trio on call, it will be unique.
