Is this the One we've all been waiting for? Our spies have snapped this beefy looking 1-Series during early testing, and judging by the wide rear-axle and aggressive body kit, it could be the long rumoured M1.
BMW has consistently denied the existence of an M-badged 1-Series, leading to speculation that the newcomer will be named 135tii, after the concept car unveiled at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show.
Reports suggest that the flagship 1-Series will feature a 350bhp tuned straight-six twin turbocharged engine and a range of weight-saving tweaks that should shed around 68kgs over the standard 1-Series Coupe.
On top of all that, the newcomer will be fitted with a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox and a limited-slip differential along with all the standard M-car kit including updated suspension and brakes.
Unfortunately, we'll still have to wait a little longer before we see the flagship 1-Series on the roads- the car pictured here isn't expected to go on sale until the middle of 2011.
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Despite the 1 series being possibly the ugliest car ever designed (that's if it was intentionally designed to look that way), I've always found the 1 series coupe to be oddly attractive. Maybe its the idea of a rear-wheel-drive, compact 2 door coupe / saloon with close to supercar performance for just over 30K.
Hopefully if the next model has less of that flame surfacing nonsense to go along with the increased power, this could be one seriously good car.