Sexy baby Beemer will blow you away

BMW took the wraps off its latest supercar, the 1 Series M Coupe in Cape Town last week, and if you are thinking of buying one, you're out of luck.

Only 2542 of these cars were built and of those, only 71 were allocated to South African buyers. And every single one was snapped up long before the official launch, including the cars we used on the launch event.

Priced at a few bucks short of R550000, it's one hell of a car - and if there were more available, there would be a long line at BMW dealers.

However, all is not lost, there is speculation that the Germans may be considering building more next year.

Under the bonnet of the 1 Series M Coupe lurks a three-litre straight six engine which rockets the car to 100km/h in just 4.9 seconds and a top speed of 250km/h (limited).

There are twin turbochargers which provide 450Nm of torque between 1500rpm and 4500rpm, with 50Nm more available on overboost, a bit like a Formula One car.

The launch of the M Series took place at Fisantekraal private airstrip, just outside Cape Town, where a cool handling course had been set up by former racing driver Deon Joubert. It proved to be an excellent venue where the cars were able to be tested to the limit, and sometimes even beyond!

Most of the motoring writers managed to spin off the designated course at some stage or other because of over-enthusiastic driving. This was mostly due to them running out of talent rather than any deficiency on the part of the M Coupe.

Earlier in the day we were able to drive the facelifted 1 Series Coupe and Convertible over some of the mountain passes on the way to Ceres and then onto the Fisantekraal airstrip. These two-door BMW models have added sporty appeal with some carefully selected design modifications, improved aerodynamics and new equipment features.

The 135i Coupe and the 135i Convertible come with a straight-six power unit. A seven-speed double-clutch gearbox (DKG) featuring Sport Automatic is available as an option. This shifts gears without the slightest interruption in power and torque.

Both models come as standard with a modified M Aerodynamics Package and M Sports Suspension.

Other standard features include Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) with an individualised set-up, an electronically masterminded locking function on the differential, as well as model-specific control maps for the Servotronic power steering and the accelerator pedal.

According to last month's Naamsa stats, the 1 Series sold 211 units, proving that it is a car designed for a special niche segment in the market which is gaining in popularity.

BMW has once again demonstrated it is at the forefront of cars with a sporting heritage.

Imagine what the new 1 Series models would be like if they were equipped with four-wheel drive like some of their German counterparts!

THE SPECS:

1 SERIES M Coupe

Price: R546392

Engine: 2979cc twin-turbo

Power: 250kW at 5900rpm

Torque: 450Nm (+50Nm on overboost) 1500 - 4500rpm

Acceleration: 0 to 100km/h 4.9sec, 0-200km/h 17.3sec

Top speed: 250km/h (limited)

Fuel consumption: 9.6 l/100km

CO2: 224g/km

120i Convertible

Price: From R370500

Engine: 1995cc four-cylinder

Power: 115kW at 6400rpm

Torque: 200Nm 3600rpm

Acceleration: 0-100km/h 5.0 seconds

Top speed: 212km/h.

Fuel consumption: 8.2l/100km

CO2: 192g/km.

125i Convertible

Price: From R423000

Engine: 2996cc six-cylinder

Power: 160kW at 6100rpm

Torque: 270Nm 2500 - 4250rpm

0-100 km/h: 5.0 seconds

Top speed: 236 km/h

Fuel consumption: 9.3l/100km

CO2: 217g/km

120d Coupe

Price: From R350500

Engine: 1995cc four-cylinder

Power: 130kW at 4000rpm

Torque: 350Nm at 3000rpm

Acceleration: 0-100 km/h 5.0 seconds

Top speed: 226 km/h.

Fuel consumption: 5.3 l/100km

CO2: 140g/km

We like:

The absolute power

We don't like:

Minimal rear leg room