The new 1M actually shares a large number of its mechanical components with the current M3. The entire rear differential with sub-frame, the 5-link rear suspension, the speed-sensitive rack-and-pinion steering and brakes are all lifted from the M3. You see then, why the lesser 1M can go toe-to-toe with the M3.
But there end the similarities. The 1M is highly involving and a tad of a handful, especially for an unskilled driver, on a track that is. Under heavy breaking, the car becomes mildly twitchy and under hard acceleration, the rear end wants to break loose. From where I stand, the 1M is perfect; nothing says fun like working your way around a track, especially one as exciting as Monticello Motorsports.
There were two M3s on hand, and I could not help myself but to snake one around the bends. By comparison, the M3 is clinical, riveted to the tarmac and unflappable. Oh, and insanely fast. But, it won't make you sweat like the 1M.
Power delivery from the 1's blown engine is explosive and with little, if any, discernible lag. With the “M” button engaged, the car's throttle response sharpens up considerably, and every hp is immediately on tap. This wheel-mounted magic button only works throttle mapping whereas in other M cars, suspension, DSC and M Servotronic adjustments are possible. It was stated during the presentation that this was the case “at this point in time”. I like the sound of that!
In every dimension, the 1M is only slightly larger than the E30 M3. This includes the wheelbase which is roughly 8 cm longer than the old car. This is where the “chassis-car” comes in. The new 1M is tossable, manoeuvrable and has lightning-fast reflexes. Turn-in is immediate and front-end grip is so strong that with every consecutive lap, I was attacking apexes at higher rates of speed. “Chassis-car” is a notion where a car is so competent, so well engineered that it is not overwhelmed by its power and where every action is centred around the driver and the middle of the car. It's tough to explain, but this is a precision-crafted automobile.
And yet, the 1M cruises happily along highways and byways, revving at scarcely a needle's width above 2,000 rpm at 110 km/h in 6th gear. The ride is surprisingly compliant and the 2+2 cabin is genuinely well put together, not to mention comfortable. It also gets a slew of M goodies, such as pedals and footrest, M shifter, M embossed 14-way sport seats and delectable Alcantara inserts. A true thing of beauty.
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| The new 1M actually shares a large number of its mechanical components with the current M3. (Photo: Brad Horn) |
But there end the similarities. The 1M is highly involving and a tad of a handful, especially for an unskilled driver, on a track that is. Under heavy breaking, the car becomes mildly twitchy and under hard acceleration, the rear end wants to break loose. From where I stand, the 1M is perfect; nothing says fun like working your way around a track, especially one as exciting as Monticello Motorsports.
There were two M3s on hand, and I could not help myself but to snake one around the bends. By comparison, the M3 is clinical, riveted to the tarmac and unflappable. Oh, and insanely fast. But, it won't make you sweat like the 1M.
Power delivery from the 1's blown engine is explosive and with little, if any, discernible lag. With the “M” button engaged, the car's throttle response sharpens up considerably, and every hp is immediately on tap. This wheel-mounted magic button only works throttle mapping whereas in other M cars, suspension, DSC and M Servotronic adjustments are possible. It was stated during the presentation that this was the case “at this point in time”. I like the sound of that!
In every dimension, the 1M is only slightly larger than the E30 M3. This includes the wheelbase which is roughly 8 cm longer than the old car. This is where the “chassis-car” comes in. The new 1M is tossable, manoeuvrable and has lightning-fast reflexes. Turn-in is immediate and front-end grip is so strong that with every consecutive lap, I was attacking apexes at higher rates of speed. “Chassis-car” is a notion where a car is so competent, so well engineered that it is not overwhelmed by its power and where every action is centred around the driver and the middle of the car. It's tough to explain, but this is a precision-crafted automobile.
And yet, the 1M cruises happily along highways and byways, revving at scarcely a needle's width above 2,000 rpm at 110 km/h in 6th gear. The ride is surprisingly compliant and the 2+2 cabin is genuinely well put together, not to mention comfortable. It also gets a slew of M goodies, such as pedals and footrest, M shifter, M embossed 14-way sport seats and delectable Alcantara inserts. A true thing of beauty.
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| The ride is surprisingly compliant and the 2+2 cabin is genuinely well put together, not to mention comfortable. (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre/Auto123.com) |