BMW introduces 1-Series 3-door Limited Sports Edition
The 1-Series is getting some major attention from BMW these days. Not only has the new 3-door just been unveiled for 2007, but it's also finally been announced that the 1-Series will cross the pond and be sold in the U.S. soon (as a coupe and convertible with the hot 3.0L twin-turbo inline-six initially, but no hatches). Today BMW heaped some more 1-Series love on the pile and revealed the 1-Series 3-door Limited Sports Edition. Our German sucks worse than our English, so it's tough to glean the details, but Carscoop claims it's basically like an M Sports package that upgrades the rims to 18-inchers, adds an M body kit, tighter suspension, and some more M accoutrement on the inside like seats and whatnot. It definitely adds some gloss to the polarizing design of the 1. Though only 2,000 units will be produced, the Limited Sports Edition package will be available across the 1-Series lineup adding €4,660 to the cost of the 118i and 118 D, €4,560 to the 120i and 120d, and €3,360 to the 130i.
[Source: BMW, Carscoop]
click on image above for high-res version
Get a WordPress.com Blog
_opt_thumbnail.jpg)
_thumbnail.jpg "2011 Audi A8: Live from Miami")
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Richard 2:37PM (1/25/2007)
Love it!
Would have one as a city car here in the US in a heartbeat, but tough to place the groceries w/o a hatch. What gives? I don't think it is that American's don't like hatches - look at the Mazda 3 wagonette - it's just that save the aforementioned Mazda and the Alfa - they're UGLY.
Reply
joN 2:40PM (1/25/2007)
Damn! I think it looks pretty tight...I can't wait for this car to be offered here...
I was fortunate enough to take a 1-Series for a drive at a BMW down in Hermosillo Mexico... Loved it overall
Reply
DMan 2:52PM (1/25/2007)
Not Impressed at ALL!
Reply
Bruce 3:18PM (1/25/2007)
This is a car you'd buy for the driving experience(light, fast, nimble, assumed lower cost for the performance level) and practical aspects(hatch convenience, fuel economy, maneuverable in town). Which is, of course, the antithesis of what BMW has become in recent years (wealth-displaying luxurious cars that just happen to perform well also). I think the only reason Americans wouldn't buy it is because they might be afraid someone would equate hatchback with "economy car" and be turned off. I would actually try it out. I've been waiting for a BMW that didn't give off the yuppie vibe.
E90 owner here, so save your flames, BMW lovers.
Reply
MikeW 3:35PM (1/25/2007)
Ha ha, Z4 coupe has the E46 rear supension (3 link)
the 1 series has the E90 (5 link)
Reply
Dave T. 3:22PM (1/25/2007)
still don't think you can say BMW "announced" it would sell the 1 series in the US. They haven't officially said anything. You're basing it off of reports from other sources. Now, at least three publications, WR, AutoWeek and Automobile all have said it is coming to the U.S. but all three differ on the bodies and exactly when and with what engines. It is far from being fact.
Reply
jjd 7:18PM (1/25/2007)
What does "but no hatches" mean? I thought that all 1-series models had hatchbacks? Is there a 1-series sedan?
Reply
Chris 3:46PM (1/25/2007)
"as a coupe and convertible with the hot 3.0L twin-turbo inline-six initially, but no hatches"
I don't get it, don't both the 2 door and 4 door have hatches?
Reply
Ben 7:32PM (1/25/2007)
I love it.
Reply
Tucker 4:37PM (1/25/2007)
There's more detail at mwerks.com, which mostly seems to be a conduit for BMW press releases:
"BMW Launches 3-Door 1 Series with Limited Sport Edition"
http://www.mwerks.com/artman/publish/bmw_news/article_1177.shtml
"America Will Get BMW 1 Series Coupe and Convertible"
http://www.mwerks.com/artman/publish/features/article_1176.shtml
"...At the recent press introduction of the new 3 Series Convertible, an Automotive News staff reporter was able to coax some details of the 1 Series from Klaus Borgmann, the project manager for both the 1 and 3 Series. Borgmann apparently stated that America will see both a two-door coupe and a convertible. Both models should arrive here sometime in 2008. While BMW North America would not officially confirm these plans, a spokesperson did say that the Automotive News reporter was accurate in reporting the statement she received from Mr. Borgmann."
Reply
autoblog 4:35PM (1/25/2007)
This honestly is about the only car I'd buy over my Mini Cooper S. Nice work BMW!
Reply
james 5:59PM (1/25/2007)
I think the car looks cool - but do we need BMW to continue to go down market in the US? The 3-series is already so affordable that I see tons of them everywhere - it's called the "California Civic" because it's like buying a Honda Civic just about anyplace else.
Reply
Matt M 5:44PM (1/25/2007)
#7
BMW announced plans early on (when the E87 1 Series was first launched in 2004) to bring the 1 Series stateside but not in 5 door (and now 3 door) hatch form, rather in 2 door coupe and cabrio form. The reason BMW has chosen not to bring its 1 Series hatches to the US is 2 fold.
1. Everyone knows that generally speaking Americans tend to prefer 2 door coupes and 4 door sedans over 3 and 5 door hatches which is why BMW initially stated that the 3 and 5 door hatch variants of its 1 Series would not be sold here in the states. The plan has always been to bring the 1 Series to the US, but not until the US market friendly 2 door coupe and convertible versions were introduced as hatches dont sell as well in the states as they do in Europe. Case in point the dismal sales numbers of the E36/5 Compact ti which prevented BMW from brining the E46 Compact to the states (probably a good idea as it was even uglier than the E36 version). Mercedes made a similar move when it pulled its W203 C-Class Coupe/Hatch from the states in 2005 also due to slow sales.
2. MINI sales. Because the US market hasn't fully warmed up to hatchback body styles BMW doesn't want to take any chances just yet. Sales of MINI Coopers in the US have been very good for BMW and introducing the 1 Series hatch could potentially cannibalize MINI sales. Better for BMW to only sell one hatch in the states and have it do well on its own rather than take too many chances too soon by flooding a small but growing market with similar product and have it blow up in their face in the form of crappy sales on two fronts. Audi has taken a similar approach by selling only the 5 door version of its A3 in the US as introducing both the 3 door and 5 door variants would probably result in the two models stealing sales from not only one another, but possibly VW.
Reply
naggs 6:43PM (1/25/2007)
that thing is pure seks
Reply
dausman 8:24PM (1/25/2007)
I don't imagine BMW will consider the 120d for the Americam market.
It reaches 62mph in 7.5 sec
Has a top speed of 142mph
Has combined 54mpg(diesel)
I read the 3.0 liter 6 cyl engine is proposed for the U.S. market and is good enough to be mounted in several other models.
It reaches 62mph in 6.0 seconds.
Has a top speed of 155 mph.
Has combined 34 mpg (gasoline)
Personally, 1.5 seconds doe not make any difference to me.
13 mph difference in top speed is not significant unless I could drive at 155 mph legally; perhaps on the Atlanta Road Track if allowed to do so.
20 mpg differrence in fuel consumption IS significant
to me personally.
I would to love to be able to drive a car with such power that appears to sip fuel
Reply
Tal D 8:50PM (1/25/2007)
#15 the 3.0 liter engine is the 130i.
The combined mpg for the 120d is 57.6(not 54mpg).
That is a 23.6 mpg difference. That IS significant.
Reply
PD 9:31PM (1/25/2007)
FUCKING BEANCOUNTERS.
Ship the 3 door hatch! Ridiculous... first it's on - coming soon to the USA newar you. Now it's... well folks, you can have a civic proportioned sedan/coupe looking bimmer (albeit with a nice motor). Who cares!? I was all psyched -- even ready to find a 1 year lease just so I could be ready for this, not any more.
Grow some nads Quant & Co - SHIP THIS CAR AS IS.
Reply
Itchy Biscuit 10:44PM (1/25/2007)
Very nice. I'd buy it tomorrow.
And #11, 3-series cars are hardly at the affordable end of the spectrum. While affordable to many, there's room below the 3 for more product.
The bigger benefit to the 1 series? LESS WEIGHT. Weight sucks - as in, sucks performance, sucks fuel, sucks the fun from a car. The 1 is the closest thing we'll get to an "old school" 2002. Bring it on, and soon.
-IB
Reply
jon F 11:40AM (1/26/2007)
I want one
Reply