BMW has released a video that confirms it will build an M1 Coupé - though it's likely to be called the 1 Series M Coupé.
The original M1 was a mid-engined supercar built from 1978-1981. The 1 Series-based M car sits at the opposite end of the M spectrum; it's a junior M3, the first step on the rarefied M Division ladder.
A 1 Series M car has been on the cards for some time, loosely evidenced by a stream of spy shots showing an obviously high-performance 1 Series Coupé under development.
But the slightly portentous video announcement is nonetheless achingly thrilling. In it, BMW M Division Boss Kay Segler says "we are here to realise dreams."
"So many people out there just dreaming to have a BMW M Car," he says. The video offers scant detail of the car, but is quite blatant in its appraisal of the forthcoming 1 Series as a 'pure M car'.
How affordable it is remains to be seen, but bank on at least €60,000. It will be unveiled in full before the end of 2010, though there are no details on the engine or specification just yet.