What's the news?
BMW has only just taken the wraps off the all-new, third-generation 1 Series but already it has confirmed that M Performance parts are available for its now-front-wheel-drive hatchback challenger.
Externally, buyers can choose from various parts in carbon-fibre look or high-gloss black finishes: items such as the M Performance front splitter, the horizontal-flow rear spoiler, the aero flics, the side-sill inserts and the rear diffuser, for example. Further aesthetic updates can be purchased in the form of M Performance door mirror caps or kidney grilles with a mesh pattern, while much of the badging can be rendered in Frozen Black.
For stopping power, 18-inch M Performance sports brakes are provided and these are denoted by a red brake calliper. The stoppers feature larger, inner-vented and perforated discs at the front gripped by four-piston callipers, which are made of aluminium alloy. At the back, lightweight discs combine with a single-piston floating calliper. Bolted in front of these can be a choice of 18- and 19-inch wheels, in Y-spoke and double-spoke designs and finished in either Ferric Grey or a bicolour look. Finally, door projector LEDs are also part of the M Performance list of items.
Anything else?
It's not just on the outside that the 1 Series can gain the M Performance touch, as the brochure of upgrades includes a part-Alcantara steering wheel, complete with a 12 o'clock marker and silver-grey cross-stitching, or - if you don't like the carbon fibre/Alcantara rim option, then carbon fibre/leather is an alternative. M Performance carbon-fibre shift paddles can be specced up on cars with Steptronic Sports transmissions, while velvet-velour floor mats are also available.