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: 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: 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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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: Car Buying, Coupes, BMW

The 1-Series has officially joined BMW’s line up in the United States, having finally been added to the brand’s official website. Along with its place among the Ultimate Driving Machines online, the 1-Series also gets officially pricing, which turns out to be exactly what we thought it would be. The 135i will have an MSRP of $34,900 plus a $775 charge for delivery and all the whatnots involved with a purchasing a car. The 128i, meanwhile, will start at $28,600 and carry an identical $775 charge for destination and delivery.

The 128i is powered by BMW’s 3.0L inline-six producing 230 horsepower, while the top shelf 135i is motivated by the superlative twin-turbo 3.0L inline-six producing 300 HP. Both are, of course, rear-wheel drive, small, and relatively light weight at around 3,200 lbs. - the purest coupes from BMW we’ve seen in a while. We optioned up a 135i with everything and arrived at an MSRP of $48,995 (that’s it above - how you like the Cashmere Silver Metallic?). Frankly, that’s ridiculously expensive for a car this size, regardless of what wheels are being driven or the engine under the hood. Do you think they’re worth the high asking price? Answer in our poll below.

View Poll

Thanks for the tip, Boris!

[Source: BMW]

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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: Coupes, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, BMW

click image above to view video

The BMW 1-Series looks like it’s going to be a well-placed shot in the arm for BMW. The sporty coupe will hit the scene in the U.S. just as Americans are becoming more interested in rear-wheel-drive vehicles again. And it’s also a small car in a time when buyers are practically abandoning their SUVs on the freeway. BMW faithful are excited too, as the 1-Series seems as if it will channel the much revered 2002 like a long lost loved one. This video shows similarities between the two cars that stretch from the past to the present. It’s a kick ass minute of footage filled with everything from 1968 oversteer to 2007 CGI. Check it out after the jump.

Thanks for the tip, Jon!

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: More 1-Series goodness

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