First Drive: 2011 BMW 1 Series M

Of the many requirements tasked of the M Division during the 1 Series M's development, the most significant is that everyone on the team had to drive an E30 M3. In fact, they split much of the 1 Series' two-year gestation period -- the shortest of any M-badged car -- driving an E30 and tweaking the twin-turbo straight-six borrowed from the Z4 sDrive35is and 335is. Controversially, this 3.0-liter mill is one of many components in the 1M's repertoire that was sourced from other cars. Others include the rear suspension, differential, brakes, wheels, and tires, which come from the current M3 Competition. The parts bin approach is a first for the M division and makes the cynics amongst us cringe, but let's make one thing clear: The 1M is an extraordinarily fun car. After an all-day lapping session on the big course at Willow Springs, all I could think about is how to steal more time driving it. Forward thrust arrives like a sucker punch. The 332 pound-feet of peak torque arrives at 1500 rpm, but an "Overboost" function ups that figure to 370 when you snap the throttle. The result is an exceptionally potent powerband that returns phenomenal top-gear acceleration, not to mention easily accessible rotation through a corner. The tradeoff arrives higher in the rev range, when its 335 horsepower peaks at 5900 rpm, leaving 1100 rpm until redline. This gap works if you need extra revs to get you to the next braking point, but the of lack top-end pull is alien to M cars. After telling Matthew Russell, BMW's M brand manager for North America, that I miss the screaming peaky race motor sensation, he offered the following helpful advice: "Shift." Body Style: Convertible, CoupeMotor Trend Rating:

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