A method for producing a high strength coated steel sheet having an improved ductility and an improved formability, the chemical composition of the steel containing: 0.13%≦C≦0.22%, 1.9%≦Si≦2.3%, 2.4%≦Mn≦3%, Al≦0.5%, Ti<0.05%, Nb<0.05%, the remainder being Fe and unavoidable impurities. The sheet is annealed at temperature TA higher than Ac3 but less than 1000° C. for a time of more than 30 s, quenched by cooling to a quenching temperature QT between 200° C. and 280° C. in order to obtain a structure consisting of austenite and at least 50% of martensite, the austenite content being such that the final structure can contain between 3% and 15% of residual austenite and between 85% and 97% of the sum of martensite and bainite, without ferrite, heated up to a partitioning temperature PT between 430° C. and 490° C. and maintained at this temperature for a time Pt between 10 s and 100 s, hot dip coated and cooled to the room temperature.