While attention the 2011 Detroit Auto Evidence, our team at BMWBLOG had the opportunity to participate in a workshop with Dr. Kay Segler, BMW M CEO. Being one of the most hyped BMWs in the past year, the 1M is gathering lots of attention from BMW'southward current and futurity customers, also equally fans around the world.

Many information around the 1 Series M Coupe take been already communicated and our extensive coverage of the new infant-Grand began several months ago, but in Detroit, nosotros learned more about the auto, both from a engineering, engineering and marketing perspective.

Hither are some of the things we have learned during our chat with Dr. Segler.

BMW 1 Series M Coupe Detroit Auto Show 83 655x435

What is the nearest competitor?

Nearest competitor is probably the Porsche Cayman S, however, no competitors were considered when building the machine – the purpose was to build cars the customers would want to drive.

Why a low book K?

The idea is to go along resale value as high as possible. creating an instant archetype.

Pricing?

Price was a serious commuter of this car – it was a distinct effort to create an E30 M3 soul successor.

The 1M in a single phrase.

The 1M is basically a truncated M3 Contest Parcel with a manual.

Development of the engine.

The evolution time of the engine was very short – engineers took just about a year to build information technology if not less, beginning in October 2009. In December 2009 the conclusion was fabricated to build the 1M. Dr. segler championed the project and fabricated all major decisions. Took around 1 twelvemonth to develop and exam the auto. One thousand cars apply the Nurburgring circuit for extensive testing. All the testing needed to be completed in Jump and Summertime before bad weather starts. He said the engineers and designers worked very, very hard to complete the project. Dr. Segler was emotional and had a few tears the commencement time he saw the machine in completed grade. In a cleaved voice, he said, "we need to build this machine".

The 1M is powered by the N4 twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter I-half dozen engine. For the 1M, the turbocharger, frazzle system, and ECU take been revised to produce 335 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque, though up to 369 pound-anxiety are bachelor temporarily in overboost mode. Redline is institute at 7000 rpm.

Why Valencia Orange?

Ironically, the 1M was first presented to Dr. Segler in Valencia Orange and it was and so expert that the color made it to the product model. Every bit a fun fact, we observed Dr. Segler was wearing a new Rolex Milgauss which had a black dial with orange second paw and dash marks. True love for the colour scheme…

1M blueprint.

The fascia looks like a motorcar built within a car. The car was built with very little changes to be made from the concept to the product model.There will be no convertible version and no other transmission or pick for a sunroof. Weight savings came through minimal options.

When Dr. K join BMW Yard he drove several M models. He was inspired by the E30 M3 EVO. He liked how the motorcar felt.

1M customer demographic.

Dr. Segler said many car articles are not listening to their young customers and only build expensive super sports cars. Recognized in that location was a need to produce an affordable G motorcar for younger enthusiasts. This car shows BMW is listening to what customers desire. He hopes the 1M will inspire young future engineers and designers to want to work on cars and hopefully BMW.

"is" vs. Thousand cars?

Dr. Segler was articulate cut on this. "is" badged cars are not M cars. M cars are race cars. The machine is 1000 pure. It's not almost simply power and hp. This car is about road holding because of M3 suspension components. You practice not need more power in this car. G button on steering wheel offers a more than aggressive throttle response by changing engine mapping of N54B30TO engine.

The engine groundwork.

The engine software tuning was done by BMW race motorcar engineers. Information technology took a very long time to get information technology but right. From October '09 to Dec '10. Dr. Segler is confident with N54 1M engine reliability.

This engine had to pass bench and Nürburgring runway tests for reliability before it was signed off by BMW M to be used in the 1 Series M Coupe.

He said the closest part of track in America, that resembles the Ring, is the kink at Road America. He said multiply that times lxx corners over 13 miles and you will see why it demands and so much from a car.

Production and markets.

Official product starts May 2011. Cars will exist delivered to China market too. Dr. Segler said in that location is no limit on how many 1M's can be built. This is the get-go G motorcar to be congenital in Leipzig plant – aslope i-Series models.

Marketing and the teasing prove.

The three "teaser" videos produced over 2.8 million clicks. That shows there was a lot of interest and excitement for this automobile.

Information to a higher place was provided by our editor Andrew Murphy and collaborator Misha Nikolich.