Filed under: Car Buying, Coupes, Euro, BMW

While it’s impossible to accurately judge the cost of vehicles in the U.S. based off pricing in Europe, Autocar gives us a brief glimpse of what to expect. According to the Brit website, the diesel-equipped models will span the financial spectrum between £21,585 for the 175 HP 120d to £26,290 for the 201 HP M-Sport 123d. Since we’ll probably see none of the oil-burners here in the States, the one figure that stood out to us was £29,745. That’s the price in pounds for the M-Sport equipped 135i.

Using some creative math, £29,745 is just under $60,000 U.S. at current exchange rates - far from what we’ll pay when the 135i makes its way across the pond. For comparison, the 335i in the U.K. comes in at £31,550, or about $63,500 in U.S. dollars (again, at today’s exchange rate). So if the base 335i here in the United States comes in at $38,900, then would it be safe to assume that the 135i should be under $35k? And if so, is that too close to the 3-series pricing to make it worthwhile? Our answer: Maybe. Although we bristle with excitement at the prospect of a small(ish) vehicle with a 300 HP twin-turbo’d straight-six, such a small pricing discrepancy might cause us to upgrade. What say you?

[Source: Autocar]

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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: 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, 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, Marketing/Advertising, BMW

Europeans have been privy to luxury small cars for decades, but since gasoline has always been much cheaper here in the States, we’ve been stuck with mostly unathletic luxury barges. Three dollar per gallon gasoline is changing that paradigm quickly, and smaller high-end vehicles are finally hitting our shores. Perhaps the most highly anticipated one is the BMW 1-Series, with its well-known brand pedigree and the same engines found in the 3-Series.

BMW is pulling out all the stops to ensure that the 1-Series coupe and cabriolet are successful in the US, and the marketing push reaches all the way to the stop-start button. To commemorate the beginning of the 1-Series, BMW is engraving each and every stop-start button with “Year One of the 1″. The phrase pretty much says it all, and enthusiasts waiting in line for the spry little Bimmer are probably already committed to buying the smallest RWD vehicle in America with or without the special message. We’re looking forward to taking a 135i out on public roads, and we’ll let you know if we actually notice the forgetful little phrase embedded into the overplayed stop-start button.

[Source: CarScoop]

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Filed under: Aftermarket, Tuners, Coupes, BMW

Click the image above for a high-res gallery.

Like everything else from the propeller people, AC Schnitzer gets a stab at improving BMW’s products before they’re even released to the masses. The formula is the same for the new 135i, boosting power output of the 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged six to 360 HP and 332 lb.-ft. of torque, while simultaneously dropping the 0-60 time to under five seconds and increasing the top speed to 186 mph. The additional power is found with the installation of a new exhaust and some clever ECU tweaks, while the suspension has been replaced with the firm’s sports setup that was tuned on the Nurburgring’s North Loop by touring car hot shoe Manfred Wollgarten.

The body kit, comprised of a new front spoiler, side skirts, rear wing and roof mounted spoiler, supposedly do wonders for high velocity hoonage, while a set of 19×18.5-inch Type IV “BiColor” wheels wrapped in 225/35R19 rubber keep things planted at speed. Naturally, the interior benefits from a few choice pieces of trim in either aluminum or carbon fiber.

All the details are in the press release after the jump and you can check the gallery below for a handful of high-res images.

Continue reading BMW 135i gets Schnitzered: 360 HP ACS1

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Filed under: Coupes, Etc., Marketing/Advertising, BMW

After centuries of counting on eight reindeer (unless there is fog), it appears as though Santa Claus has instead opted for the internal combustion engine. To traverse the sometimes tight airways around metropolitan areas, good ol’ Saint Nick decided the nimble nature of the BMW 1-Series was best-fitted to do the job.

The boys and girls of team Bimmer have decided that the best way to sell the 1-Series on their home turf during the holiday season is to involve the biggest commercial icon of Christmas. As you can see above, Santa is haulin’ … presents, and the smallest four-wheeler from the Bavarian Motor Werks is leading the way. St. Nick is going so fast, all the vowels have left the billboard. If this doesn’t keep awake the children of Hamburg, we don’t know what will. Imagine trying to sleep when every car that drives by makes you think Santa is pulling into your driveway. Heck, we’re sure there are a lot of parents hoping to get the little BMW coupe for Christmas, too.

[Source: AutoblogGreen]

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Filed under: Coupes, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, BMW

The BMW 1-Series is on the verge of being sold here in the U.S., which means the multimedia blitz is on its way. With automakers getting more creative to capture buyers attention, spots are getting more high tech, and less reality based. BMW brass have recognized the trend, and the end result is a fanciful version of how the 1-Series is produced at the factory. Hit the jump to see the the :30 spot, which carries the tag line “Makes you want to get behind the wheel.” While the commercial may not do that for us, the razor sharp BMW chassis and silky smooth 300-hp twin-turbo inline-six has us panging for a shot behind the wheel. Check out the gas fill up point just before the Bimmer takes off. That would beat the hell out of self-serve in the dead of winter.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: BMW 1-Series spot - creation by precision

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Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Convertibles, BMW

click above for more high-res live shots of the BMW 1 Series Convertible

The final reveal in BMW’s three-movement press conference was a drop-top version of its perfectly-sized 1 Series. While some in the audience might have preferred that the preceding female dancers had instead lost their tops, this vehicle was not a bad consolation prize.

Available in naturally-aspirated (128i) and forced-induction (135i) flavors, the 1 Series ‘vert offers wind-in-your-face motoring in a mere 22 seconds by virtue of its electrohydraulic power soft top. Technical goodies abound, such as VALVETRONIC, an on-demand electric water pump that uses only 1/10th the power of a standard water pump and only runs when required, and pop-up roll bars to protect the occupants in case the vehicle goes rubber-side up. Additionally, the 135i gets an electronically-controlled limited slip differential to help cope with its additional 70 HP, as well as six-piston calipers up front to bleed off all of that speed.

BMW made note of the boat-like shape of the “shoulder” (the character line just below the 1 Series’ beltline), and we gotta admit that it looks this way in person. More important than how design features are described is how well the overall package works, and the 1 Series is indeed attractive as a convertible. Consider approved by Autoblog. A variety of M Series options are available on both cars to spruce up the exterior and interior, with the 135i already getting a version of the M Aerodynamics Package as standard equipment.

Oh yeah, the price: the 128i Convertible will start at $33,875 while the hopped up 135i will break your bank at $39,875. Yikes!

Continue reading Detroit 2008: BMW announces pricing for BMW 1 Series Convertible

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