M refers to BMW's Motorsport division and this diminutive M model of unusual proportions is the flagship of the 1 Series. Outwardly, the baby M appears to be a conventional 1 Series coupe but buffed up on automotive steroids.
Its beefy looks are a result of wider wheel arches to accommodate the 1 Series M's widened track - by 60 mm in front and 40 mm at the rear - for more dynamic handling. These mean a relatively short car - 4,380 mm long - is now rather wide at 1,803 mm across.
The muscular sheet metal is accentuated by big wheels. The 1M wears 19-inch alloys - 245/35 in front and 265/35 behind. The reason for the wider rubber at the back is clear - there is a 3.0-litre turbocharged straight six-cylinder engine to power the rear axle in line with BMW's classic front engine, rear-wheel-drive layout.
This unit is taken from the 135i but tweaked to produce 340 horses and 450 Newton-metres of torque. And if that isn't enough for this car weighing 1,570 kg, an overboost function allows torque to surge briefly to 500 Nm. With such prodigious amounts, it is easy to spin the rear tyres. Pump the gas pedal a little too enthusiastically and the DSC lamp lights up the info display. Add a further dash of over-exuberance and the small M may start fishtailing on the straight or oversteering in a corner.
Also fun is the six-speed manual gearbox in this age of seven-and eight-speed autos and twin-clutches. The tactile pleasure of changing gears yourself, combined with the prodigious torque of a chuckable coupe, are the reasons for the baby M's high entertainment factor.
The car is seriously fast, with especially impressive elasticity. In-gear acceleration is so good that you will be tempted to leverage on the 1M's compactness and manoeuvrability to zip in and out of traffic effortlessly.
The 1 Series M's rear aluminium suspension and variable M differential are taken straight from the M3, as are the brakes. Its chassis is unflappable. It dives into sharp corners enthusiastically and hangs on to sweeping curves tenaciously.
At the same time, the fat-rimmed steering wheel manages to be unerringly sharp as well as reassuringly meaty. It is so quick that the only time you take your hands off it is when you're changing gears.
Although the suspension is firm enough to deliver the 1M's high level of stability and control, its ride does not become so harsh that you will dread the sight of an approaching pothole.
The typical BMW cabin with its calm ambience and quality finishes also make sitting behind the wheel of the 1M a very nice place to be. There is black leather and alcantara with red stitching, along with supportive front sports seats that feature electrically adjustable side bolsters on the driver's side.
However, the pair of slightly tight rear seats and the stick shift mean that this M coupe will not appeal to many people. But everyone else who sees it should be going 'Mmmm'.
Price: $274,800 (with COE)
Engine: 2,979cc inline-6 turbocharged
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Max Power: 340 hp @ 5,900 rpm
Max Torque: 450 Nm @ 1,500-4,500 rpm (500 Nm with Overboost)
0-100kmh: 4.9 secs
Top speed: 250 kmh
Distributor: Munich Automobiles
