BMW confirms new M price leader

BMW Australia has set the price of its highly anticipated new 1 Series M Coupe at $99,900, which will make it the cheapest M-branded model by more than $50,000 when it finally arrives here in June.

While buyers will have to shell out $25,000 more than for the 135i Sport Coupe ($74,700) on which it is based, but the new 1 Series M Coupe will provide a high level of standard equipment as well as improved dynamics, including an extra 25kW of power and 50Nm of torque from its acclaimed twin-turbo 3.0-litre straight-six engine.

BMW Australia said it had been able to secure only around 100 units of the new entry-level M car from the limited global production, but hopes to attract a new and younger breed of aficionado for the high-performance M brand, which currently kicks off locally with the 4.0-litre V8-engined M3 sedan at $152,300.



Standard equipment for the 1 Series M Coupe will include 19-inch M light-alloy wheels, adaptive Bi-Xenon headlights, LED rear lights, automatic climate control, 300 watt 10-speaker Harman/Kardon surround sound system, navigation system with voice control, internet functionality, a remote alarm system and Bluetooth connectivity that enables access to e-mails and SMS messages on the high resolution 8.8-inch display or via the audio speakers using the narrator function.

However, the only standard colour is white, with two extra-cost metallic options (Sapphire Black and Valencia Orange, which is unique to the model).

Looking aggressive with its flared wheel arches (covering wider front and rear tracks), the six-speed manual-equipped 1 Series M Coupe accelerates from 0-100km/h in 4.9 seconds – the same as the manual M3 sedan.