Filed under: Green, Hatchbacks, BMW

According to Motor Authority, word on the wire is that BMW will be making a minicar below the 1-series that will share the current MINI platform. The car will also be front wheel drive, and cost less than the MINI, which would make it the cheapest BMW one could buy.

Apparently the car is driven by several factors, including the fact that green is increasingly seen as corporate gold. There are also regulatory issues, in light of EU fleet averages and CO2 standards — that Z6 and hypothetical supercar are going to need some sort of frugal foil. BMW is also paying attention to Audi, which is coming out with a small car of its own, though that car is aimed at the MINI. Apparently development work is already underway. If such a car is on the way, what would it be called? The BMW Zero?

Thanks for the tip, James!

[Source: Motor Authority]

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Filed under: Frankfurt Auto Show, Coupes, BMW

Click the image above for a host of live high-res pics of the BMW 1-series.

Of all the vehicles that made their debut at this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show, one will likely have more impact on North American enthusiasts than any other. The BMW 1-series is outfitted with nearly everything your average motorphile could want: small size, big power, front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 50/50 weight distribution — the list goes on and on. That’s why, rather than rattling off a few sentences littered with a handful of jokes and statistics, we wanted to spend a bit more time on the 1-series, much the way you would if you had attended the show.

Continue reading Frankfurt 2007: BMW 1-series in-depth

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Filed under: Coupes, Marketing/Advertising, BMW

The man behind the MINI’s launch in 2001, Jack Pitney, is heading up the marketing effort for BMW’s new 1-series in the U.S., and he’s hoping that the same warm reception granted to the MINI will be duplicated with the new 1.

A first run of anything, whether it’s a comic or a car, seems to carry a certain amount of cachet. So BMW is planning on adding special badging, a certificate of authenticity and a special book outlining the coupe’s development to all 1-series models sold in the States during its first year.

Enthusiasts have already made their voice heard on the ‘Net, with over 100,000 people signing up for updates on the 1-series through BMW’s website. The automaker is hoping that interest will turn into preorders, and is expecting that a high percentage of 1-series coupes will already be sold before they hit dealers this spring.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req.]

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Filed under: Convertibles, BMW

Click on above image for the hi-res gallery of the 2007 BMW 1-Series Convertible

Though the 1-Series will be BMW’s smallest and cheapest model, the Bavarian brand isn’t skimping on the car that huge numbers of people are anticipating. A portion of those people can’t wait for a drop top version, and BMW has just released all the pics and info of its newest cabriolet.

Just like the couple, it will come in 128i and 135i flavors, the former offering 215 HP and the latter 306 HP and 300 lb-ft. The drop top descends in just 22 seconds, and to make sure you stay just as comfy when it’s down, the climate control system comes with a convertible mode. Plenty more innovations await in the car slated to arrive early next year, follow the jump to read all about them in the full press release. And be sure to check out the gallery of hi-res images, as well.

[Source: BMW]

Continue reading Officially Official: BMW 1-Series Convertible

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Filed under: Concept Cars, Tokyo Motor Show, Audi, BMW, Volkswagen

Over the course of the last few weeks, we’ve been constantly updating our comprehensive list of debuts slated for the Tokyo Motor Show, but one glaring omission continually jumped out at us: BMW. We know they’ll be showing off the M3 Sedan, but it was rumored that something else would grace the Bavarian’s show stand. Automotive News finally shed some light on the mystery model, but it doesn’t reveal much.

BMW will be showing a concept built atop the 1-series platform, but when AN quizzed a BMW spokesperson, all they would say is that the unnamed concept won’t be the X1 mini ‘ute. Our first suspicion was the 1-series convertible, but that’s far too dull for Tokyo. We’ll let the relentless speculation begin below.

As for the rest of the Germans, we know Audi is bringing the A1 concept to the show, which should be close to the production model set to debut in 2009, while Volkswagen will be releasing its first Up! variant in the form of a five-door minivan concept.

We’ll be on a plane to Tokyo this time next week, so expect more to follow soon.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

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Filed under: Economy, Etc., BMW

You’ve heard this shtick before, but with oil prices hitting record highs - again - most automakers are making a play at bringing more frugal offerings to market. In the case of BMW though, we’re a bit disjointed on the idea. Sure, the 1-series is the company’s second best seller in Europe, behind the 3-series, and purchasing a 128i when it goes on sale here in the States next year is the best way to get behind the wheel of a Bimmer on the cheap. But if buyers are supposedly so cost conscious, would they really drop the coin on a BMW if fuel consumption were at the top of their priority list? BMW’s cache, in the realm of both driving dynamics and badge-snobber, is largely unmatched, but are buyers bent on a Bimmer really going to downsize their ride when they can surely afford the premium the marque commands? We’re not so sure.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

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Filed under: Coupes, Tokyo Motor Show, BMW

Click above image to view live pics of the BMW tii concept

BMW’s 1-Series tii concept was just revealed and we can now bring you live shots of this stunning coupe from the floor of the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show. The tii is based on the recently launched 1-Series coupe, but is a leaner, meaner, more hardcore version of the entry level Beemer. The enhanced bodykit and carbon fiber parts give it a purposeful stance that just exudes motorsport, as well as lowering the car’s weight and making it aerodynamically sliippier. On the inside, we especially dig the white steering wheel and Alcantara trimmed interior. Click here for the original post on the tii, or check out the gallery below for pics of the car shot live.

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Filed under: Coupes, BMW

The first few reviews of the BMW 1-series - specifically the 135i - have begun to hit the web after the baby Bimmer’s launch abroad a couple of weeks back. The reception thus far has been positive, citing the 3.0-liter twin-turbo’s grin-inducing torque and communicative steering as high points. The portly curb weight (3,440 pounds, or only 130 pounds lighter than the 3-series coupe) and a suspension tuned for comfort rather than track duty have been the biggest gripes. We’ve assembled links to some of the first reviews after the jump, but until we get our hands on one, we’ll remain mum on passing final judgment.

Continue reading BMW 135i reviews hit the ‘Net, mild swooning ensues

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Filed under: Convertibles, Coupes, BMW

Since it’s launch in 2004, BMW has sold 470,000 1-series models throughout the world, and with the upcoming 1-series coupe, the automaker expects those numbers to increase, particularly when U.S. sales begin at the end of this month.

According to a report by Thomson Financial, the coupe alone should account for over 20,000 sales annually and with the addition of the convertible version expected to hit in spring of ‘08, there’s no where to go but up. The primary question that will be answered early next year is who will be buying the new “compact” Bimmer, and whether or not the coupe will draw more buyers into the BMW fold or if it will merely cannibalize sales of the Bavarian’s best-selling 3-series.

[Source: Forbes]

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Filed under: Coupes, Euro, BMW

Buyers abroad who’ve opted to equip their BMW 1-series coupe with diesel power now have the option to smack down a few euros on the table for some M-sport kit. The 120d and 123d models can now pack the same visual punch as the 135i, complete with M-specific 17-inch alloys wrapped in 205/50 rubber in the front and 225/45 gumballs in the rear. The package also includes new front and rear fascias, and naturally, there’s plenty M-badging to differentiate it from its more sedate siblings. The cost for the additional bits runs 3,300 euros for the 120d and 2,100 euros for the upgraded 123d.

[Source: Auto Motor und Sport]

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