2012 BMW 1 Series M Coupe the “most affordable” M product ever offered

2012 BMW 1 Series M Coupe – Click above for high-res image gallery

At $47,010 (including destination), the 2012 BMW 1 Series M Coupe isn’t exactly cheap. Still, Matthew Russell, BMW product and technology PR rep, says it’s “the most affordable M BMW has ever sold, adjusting for inflation, including the original E30 M3.” That car cost around $34,000 when it was introduced in 1988. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Russell is more than right: $34,000 in 1988 had the same buying power as $62,885 in 2010.

With rumors of BMW getting into front-wheel-drive cars, we asked Dr. Kay Segler, president of BMW M GmbH, if M could do a FWD car. Segler said, “I haven’t thought about that,” and went on to remark that he couldn’t see doing a sub-1-Series M car. Russell elaborated with, “There are rumors about what is coming, but those aren’t from us.” As to other rumors about whether the coupes will be limited or capped in number, we were told categorically, “No.” But that was amended with, “But they will be hard to get.”

Gallery: 2012 BMW 1 Series M Coupe: Detroit 2011

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Live photos copyright (C)2011 Jeremy Korzeniewski / AOL

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2012 BMW 1 Series M Coupe the “most affordable” M product ever offered originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 16 Jan 2011 11:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Detroit 2011: 2012 Hyundai Veloster reinvents the affordable sports coupe

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Hatchback, Hyundai

2012 Hyundai Veloster

2012 Hyundai Veloster – Click above for high-res image gallery

After the usual tease of spy shots and teasers, the sheet has finally been pulled back on the 2012 Hyundai Veloster. Not only does the Veloster take aim at wannabe efficient sports cars like the Honda CR-Z, it reinvents the way we look at the shape of coupes and hatchbacks, employing a unique three-door design that’s surprisingly better in execution than we expected.

Hyundai is using its 2012 Veloster to unveil a slate of new technologies, including a brand new engine and transmission, as well as the automaker’s first foray into the safety and convenience telematics realm with Blue Link. Hyundai is promising class-leading fuel efficiency with a truly sporty driving experience all wrapped in a wholly unique package, but does the Veloster meet the criteria? Follow the jump to find out.

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Gallery: 2012 Hyundai Veloster

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Continue reading Detroit 2011: 2012 Hyundai Veloster reinvents the affordable sports coupe

Detroit 2011: 2012 Hyundai Veloster reinvents the affordable sports coupe originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Jan 2011 14:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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