New BMW 1 Series M Coupe: full details revealed

Hot on the heels of the new 335bhp Audi RS3 hyper-hatch, and in full attack mode, is the BMW 1 Series M Coupe super-mini-saloon, with 340bhp. And The RS3's most direct head-to-head competition certainly looks the sporting part.

So, we've got a couple of muscled Germans; one the four-wheel-drive Audi, the other this rear-driving BMW. Let the games begin.

The smart money might be on the Audi with its tenacious 4x4 chassis (Audi details HERE), but this latest and smallest M-car is showing one mean fighting face, and the Audi's extra traction comes at the cost of extra weight and friction-power-loss of turning two extra wheels. Side-by-side will be the smoky, fun, and only real way to tell.

The new BM's figures certainly stack up closely and favourably with the Audi's, but the less edgy-looking RS seems to have a slight edge to 62mph; officially hitting the benchmark in 4.6sec, compared to the M's 4.9sec sprint. Both cars are limited (from the factory, at least) to 155mph. But, the M pumps out a maximum 369lb ft of torque using an overboost system on full throttle, compared to the Audi's 332lb ft max grunt at all times.

Could the extra torque-attack give the BMW the legs in the long-runs? Was that BMW's plan all along; after seeing Audi's claimed performance figures? Exciting stuff.

BMW's latest M coupe uses the same 3-litre, 6-cylinder twin-turbo engine as the 135i, but with the power cranked up of course, and being an M, I think we'd be right to expect (and demand!) another level of exhaust blast over the 135i, and it's doubtful that BMW will disappoint here. There's a 6-speed manual gearbox to further engage the driver.

The straight-6 configuration, helped along by the torquey double turbos, will give the M Coupe some seriously smooth performance, and it will be satisfying and entertaining to see how the 6 in the BM plays-off against the 5-cylinder in the Audi. I personally love a 6-cylinder motor - balanced, silky and full of torque. Drifts and donuts should come easily thanks to the electronically controlled M differential locking the power through both wheels.

The Coupe might share its 'standard' engine with other BMWs (Z4s and 135i), but the 1495kg-worth of bulging bodywork is all its own. Happily we can see juicy flared wheel arches, a deep and vented front bumper which functionally forces air in and out of the engine bay - especially when that mighty engine is at sustained full-thrash at big speeds. Engine-heated air can sap performance and BMW have ensured that it's long gone before it can cause trouble.

Those vertical slats in the front bumper channel the air in the desired direction to reduce aero drag around the front wheels. The rear bumper is new and M-unique, as are the side skirts and door mirrors. There's a cheeky nip of a boot spoiler, too. Inside you'll find some stunning sports seats, drizzled in leather and Alcantara, and a couple of M badges to remind you of the fun under your right foot. The Y-spoke alloy wheels are gorgeous and 19inches tall.

Significant chassis upgrades include a 1541mm wide front track; 71mm wider than the 135i, and an extra 46mm increase across the rear track to the match frontal width. Of course the M is lower, hunkering a further 20mm closer to the Tarmac. Big speeds are scrubbed by M3-size brakes; 360mm up front and 350mm in the rear.

BMW have confirmed that the new M-car will go on sale in the UK in May 2011 for around £39,990, after a quick showing at the Detroit motor show in January, with the Audi RS3 touted at around £39,000.

The 1 Series M Coupe is said to produce 224g/km of CO2 and returns 29.4mpg on a combined cycle - not that M-owners are usually that fussed by these kind of performance figures.

Colour choice is limited, but all options should look fab draped over those bumps and bulges. There's the Valencia Orange metallic seen here, a non-metallic Alpine White and a Sapphire Black metallic. Alpine White for me, please.

Indeed, looks-wise I'd go for the BMW, and drive-wise I think I'd prefer it too. After all, what's the harm in a little drift 'n' donut from time-to-time? Something I think the new 1 Series M Coupe will do very nicely indeed.

The new BMW 1 Series M Coupe gets a very special front bumper to channel the air where the engine or aero factors need it - carrying hot air out and away and reducing the drag around the front wheels

From behind is where the extra width is most apparent - wider arches over wider track - 55mm wider than the 135i Coupe

19inch wheels with a pleasantly deep dish to the rears - just gorgeous

Valencia Orange paintwork burns bright in the sun. I'll take the Alpine White

340bhp from the straight-6, twin-turbo motor. It's been in BMs before meaning that this M-motor is no longer bespoke to the M-car. Tut tut

Understated leather and Alcantara BMW interior happiness

'M' = mmm, delicious

1 Series M Coupe vs. the original M3. Look at the size difference, and the new car makes way more power. Would you climb over the old M3 to take the M Coupe home?