Based on the BMW 1 Series, the 1 Series M takes its place among M performance versions of the 3, 5 and 6 Series cars and the X5 and X6 SUVs. Though the name "M1" seems a natural, BMW used that moniker for a 1978 supercar and thus considered it off-limits for this one. I'll call the 1 Series M the "1M" for short. It’s available for the 2011 model year only.

The BMW 1 Series M is nearly as well-rounded as the larger M3, but any advantages — beyond its lower price — are hard to find.

Size is perhaps the 1M's best reason for being. Over the years, criticism has grown in concert with the M3's size and weight, and the 1M is closer in size to the original M3, which was introduced to North America in 1988. As for weight, well, at 3,296 pounds, it outweighs the '88 by more than 550 pounds. That said, you're unlikely to find any modern car that's anywhere near as light as its 23-year-old forebear, and at least it's 408 pounds lighter than the M3 coupe and 77 pounds lighter than the 135i.

• The M Formula
• Bursts of Power
• M Dynamics
• The Appendage Factor
• Safety
• 1 Series M in the Market