When rumors were silenced by Dr. Kay Segler of BMW M division sharing info of an M version of the BMW 1 series was confirmed, the speculation started flying on what will BMW call this last E82 variant. What makes sense is to call it “M1″ following the lead of the M3, M5 and M6. The only problem is that “M1″ is already taken by the iconic 70′s car.

BMW had focus studies to take a tally between the M1 or the 1M name, and reports inside BMW said that it was M1 that people preferred but at the end, BMW chose to reserve the M1 name for the icon car and decided to name the new E82 M version as 1M.

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Quick motivational poster I made LOL..

Here is an interview with Dr. Kay Segler of BMW M Division as posted in Bimmerpost:

What might such a model be like?
This model will be based on the BMW 1 Series Coupé and also be focused on the essentials – the fascination of driving. And it will reflect a love of detail, too.

Will the model be called BMW M1?
We have discussed this point too. BMW M1 is a name with powerful historical associations. So we have decided to follow our second nomenclature method. In the tradition of the BMW Z4 Roadster and of the current models BMW X5 M and X6 M we will put our brand identifier at the end of the name, so our new model will be called the BMW 1 Series M Coupé.

When can we expect to receive further information?
We will be publishing more detailed information before Christmas. And we may release the odd detail beforehand. Wait and see!

Where will the information be provided?
You can register here on the M Power World homepage. In this way you can be sure not to miss any information on the BMW 1 Series M Coupé.

From when will the BMW 1 Series M Coupé be supplied?
You can expect the first vehicles to be with customers in the first half of 2011.

What else is in store in the near future?
There is a lot more for BMW M fans to look forward to in the second half of 2011 as well. We will be presenting the next generation of the BMW M5 with V8 turbo engine. But let’s talk about the details another time.

OTHER INFO:

- Final version and details will we be unveiled before Christmas 2010.
- By this time next year U.S. customers shall be receiving their cars. European customers will receive theirs by Spring.
- Test drives currently only available to those in Germany and Austria. North American test drives may come later.

Register to drive the BMW 1 series M Coupe HERE for those in Germany and Austria.

And here are my past speculative rendering for this model which was said to be fairly accurate.

BMW 1M Coupe

—>More info HERE<---

BMW 1M Cabrio


—>More info HERE<--- impatiently.