Designer’s BMW wet dream becomes reality as US/Europe club together to build one-off
When digital artist Jon Sibal rendered his ideal version of the BMW 1-Series M Coupe, he had no idea an automotive Jim'll Fix It lurked around the corner. Minus the dodgy shellsuit, of course.
Now his vision of the 1M ‘CSL' is to be built as a one-off by a handful of tuning companies from Europe and the US.
We've been speaking to Chicago-based BMW tuner IND-Distribution, which got together with a US BMW dealer to secure the very first 1M in the Midwest region.
See pics of the BMW 1-Series M Coupe
Speaking to TopGear.com, their plan is to take delivery of the Alpine white 1M in Europe, stop off at the Nurburgring, attend Bimmerfest and then pop into Eisenmann, where a prototype exhaust will be fitted.
Next stop is the USA, where AMS Performance will develop some subtle engine modifications with an eye on keeping "the balance of the car", so a massive power gain isn't really the aim. After this, IND plans to work with Brembo's North American distributor - Race Technologies - to develop and test a bespoke brake package.
Finally, and most importantly, it will be built to look like Sibal's wet dream. "Jon's design is a key element to the project", IND told us, and Challenge Engineering will develop a full line of exterior accessories - front lip, rear diffuser, side skirts, bootlid etc - to ‘reflect his original art'.
The final, lightweight ‘CSL' is intended "to serve as a development vehicle to create parts for 1Ms everywhere".
We'll bring you more updates as and when they drop. Is this how your ideal 1M Coup' would look?
Now his vision of the 1M ‘CSL' is to be built as a one-off by a handful of tuning companies from Europe and the US.
We've been speaking to Chicago-based BMW tuner IND-Distribution, which got together with a US BMW dealer to secure the very first 1M in the Midwest region.
See pics of the BMW 1-Series M Coupe
Speaking to TopGear.com, their plan is to take delivery of the Alpine white 1M in Europe, stop off at the Nurburgring, attend Bimmerfest and then pop into Eisenmann, where a prototype exhaust will be fitted.
Next stop is the USA, where AMS Performance will develop some subtle engine modifications with an eye on keeping "the balance of the car", so a massive power gain isn't really the aim. After this, IND plans to work with Brembo's North American distributor - Race Technologies - to develop and test a bespoke brake package.
Finally, and most importantly, it will be built to look like Sibal's wet dream. "Jon's design is a key element to the project", IND told us, and Challenge Engineering will develop a full line of exterior accessories - front lip, rear diffuser, side skirts, bootlid etc - to ‘reflect his original art'.
The final, lightweight ‘CSL' is intended "to serve as a development vehicle to create parts for 1Ms everywhere".
We'll bring you more updates as and when they drop. Is this how your ideal 1M Coup' would look?
