BMW M1 Spy Shot

The German brand said it would never make a full-on M-car based on its baby 1-Series, but the latest Carparazzi pictures reflect a major backflip. Or perhaps a car which is an M1 in everything but its name ...

The wide-body 1 Series is caught during brisk runs through the countryside near BMW headquarters in Munich and it is clearly very different even from the 135i coupe.  The biggest change is the flared wheelarches and the giant alloy wheels, which wrap around huge four-wheel disc brakes.

The Carparazzi pictures also show a much deeper front airdam with bigger radiator opening, as well as scoops to the front brakes.  The new boss of BMW's M division, Kay Segler, admits his mission is partly to make cars which are more affordable and accessible to younger buyers.

"We want to make M young again, and affordable," he says.  "My sons would like to have an M, and when they're 40, not 60."

The M1 is likely to be previewed later this year, most likely at the Paris Motor Show in October, with sales in 2011.