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Coming to America: BMW 1-Series Coupe Spied
Written by: Autocar staff   http://www.autocar.co.uk
05/28/2007 - 07:00 PM
Eifel, Germany
 
Unlike its hatchback sibling, the 1-series coupe will make it stateside. (Autocar photo) ยป More Photos

We've got another three months before BMW finally launches the 1-series coupe at the Frankfurt motor show in September. These spy shots are the clearest yet of the two-door notchback, designed to expand the appeal of the 1-series range when it launches in the USA next year.

The disguise around the rear is hiding 3-series coupe-style lights, and under the covers the trunk is curved, not flat. At the front there are M3-style air intakes in the bumper and heavily flared wheelarches.

What about an M1?

Speculation has been rife that BMW is working on an M-Division version
of the 1-series coupe, and Autocar's sources recently confirmed that a proper, M-badged 1-series is in the pipeline for not-long-after the standard car's launch.

The engine it'll run is still unknown. Opinion is currently split between a 300bhp six-cylinder engine and a lighter, fast-revving four-pot like that of the original E30 M3.

However, Autocar's sources now suggest that the latter might be the more likely bet. 1-series coupes have recently been seen lapping the Nordschleife at very high speeds, but, according to one source, with engines that sound "more like four-pots than inline sixes."