2012 BMW 1-Series Supersport: The M1 Coupe with a Twin-Turbo Four-Banger

In addition to the three- and five-door hatchbacks, coupe, convertible and quite possibly, Shooting Brake, SAV (three-door version of the X1 SUV) and Gran Turismo (something in the likes of the 5-Series PAS) variants of the next-generation 1-Series that's due in 2011, Car Magazine claims that BMW is also readying an M division-prepped Supersport model. While it won't carry the M1 badge because of the synergies created with the firm's iconic mid-engined supercar of the 70s, the Supersport model is exactly that; an M version of the 1-Series Coupe.

As you can see in the above sketch from Car Magazine, the 1-Series Coupe Supersport will supposedly receive a pair of round headlamps as a homage to its spiritual predecessor, the famous 2002 series and especially, the 2002 tii model.

Though BMW has not released any information whatsoever on the car, it is claimed that the 1-Series Supersport will equipped by a new, high-revving, twin-turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a capacity of 2.0- or 2.2-liters producing somewhere around 300HP. Power of course will be sent to the rear wheels through a six-speed manual or alternatively, a double-clutch semi-automatic transmission.