InsideLine dyno-tested the new 2011 BMW 1 Series M Coupe. Here is a video and excerpt from their report:
“Equipped with the company’s N54 twin-turbo 3.0-liter direct injected inline-6, the 1 Series M Coupe is rated by the factory (that is, at the flywheel) at 335 hp at 5,800 rpm and 332 lb-ft from 1,500-4,500 rpm.
Peak torque rises to 370 lb-ft during an overboost period, the command for which is not driver-activated. That little “M” button on the steering wheel sharpens the throttle response, and nothing more.
We’ll assume the overboost function was live because, well, just have a look below at the result from the Dynojet chassis dyno:
Whoa! Now that’s some torque. From 2,500-4,500 rpm, there’s more than 350 lb-ft on tap, and then it rolls off linearly between 5,100 and 6,700 rpm. It’s pretty much done at that point, and the fuel cut arrives at 7,000 rpm. Peak power of 331 hp arrives at 5,150 rpm.
Torque peaks at 362 lb-ft and hits early in the rev range. As explained in a previous post, it’s nigh unto impossible to replicate on a chassis dyno the drawn-with-a-laser-level torque plateaus that manufacturers provide for their turbo cars.
While BMW says it reaches peak torque at 1,500 rpm, you’ll never achieve that result in the real world unless you wood it at 1,000 rpm in 5th or 6th while climbing a hill. No matter, since only a complete toolshed would drive an M car — or any car — that way. Downshifting. Learn it.”
