Spy Shots: BMW 1-Series Coupe
Young fans of the Bavarian Motor Werks have been pining for something more affordable than a 3-series, and the 1-series has been teasing from afar for too long. The folks over at 1Addicts assembled a bunch of picks of a thinly-disguised 1-Series coupe in testing, and we think the newest developments look quite encouraging. The 1-Series in these photos looks to be nearly ready for production, as the only heavy-duty camo resides on the bumpers. Large-rimmed tires fit into the wheel well quite snugly, and BMW's Mighty Mouse is sitting very low to the ground, leading us to believe that this could very well be the 135i, which would seriously scream with BMW's 300 HP, twin-turbo International Engine of the Year.
With a full slate of models, including a coupe, hatch, convertible, and high-powered sport model, the 1-series arrives in the US with the potential to make BMW the number one selling luxury maker in the world's most important market. We're looking forward to taking this little spark plug for a spin when it hits North America in 2008. Seriously, if we even dare imagine how much fun this Mini-sized RWD coupe is to drive, we'd lose sleep.
Thanks for the tip, Alfredo!
[Source: 1Addicts.com]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Rene Curry 8:44AM (5/24/2007)
They need this 1-series. With the weak dollar the 3-series will be pushed too far up market in price. The 3-series is getting too big, too heavy, and too expensive.
That said, the 1-series seems to be the perfect tossable car out there and RWD! Styling is subjective, but I still would want one if priced right.
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RickDom 8:50AM (5/24/2007)
I still like the 3-door better. But of course, we'll never get it in the US because, apparently, people don't like hatch backs.
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Grammar freak 8:51AM (5/24/2007)
These pics only show tiny little taillights - are they painted over or are they really so skinny?
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MikeMidd 9:40AM (5/24/2007)
How big is the car, roughly? Looking at it, it has the same vibe as the 1980s E30, which I like a lot. But my eyes could be off, and this could be a lot smaller...
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Luciano 9:45AM (5/24/2007)
It is going to be good!
http://www.lucianobove.blogspot.com
thanks
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G. Snyder 9:48AM (5/24/2007)
Grammar freak - sometimes they disguise cars a little before production. This has been the practice for many many years. The tape over the taillights is not a styling cue.
MikeMidd - You are right about E30 dimensions. It is certainly not smaller. It is funny to look at an E30 next to an E90 or even an E46. It looks like such a tiny car in comparison. I always loved the E30 though - I never found it wanting for room. As long as the 1 series coupe is as upright as the hatchback (why wouldn't it be) there would seem to be plenty of room - at least for front seat passengers.
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Kumar 9:49AM (5/24/2007)
Before anyone complains about lack of an esd program for this rwd car,it's mandatory on all u.s. cars soon, so it won't punish the inexperienced, just annoy those that want the rear end to slide around.
I too liked the idea of the 5 door, but with a diesel engine. Too bad bmw doesn't want us americans driving the same bmws our friends across the pond have. stupid brand image ego trip...bad bmw...bad monkey.
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G. Snyder 10:32AM (5/24/2007)
The reason we do not have the diesels has NOTHING to do with BMW. After the fuel regs change, BMW has said they will be bringing diesels.
I am not sure what ESD is - but if you mean Electronic Stability Control (what BMW calls DSC) it has been fully defeatable in nearly all of its cars. Who was complaining about anything?
Dave in MI 10:00AM (5/24/2007)
Looks bigger than a mini. Why do we expect this to be affordable? The Z4 coupe starts at $40k. That is with the 255 hp 3 liter. M is $50k without any options.
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Shrapnel 10:36AM (5/24/2007)
Why are you comparing it to the Z4? That is ridiculous. The 1 series (hint: look at the number) slots below the 3 series. BMW would not look to intrude on the Mini and obviously would not sell too many 1 series if it was priced the same as the 3 series. Use your brain and you can figure out where it would need to fit.
Dave in MI 12:04PM (5/24/2007)
Seems like the Z4 is a small coupe that is a little bigger than the mini with 255 hp. Will the Z4 dominate the 1-series on the track or something? I could easily see difference between the Z3 roadster and the Z8 roadster, I just don't see it with the Z4 coupe and 1-series. You say they would not intrude on the Mini, but it seems this intrudes on the Z4.
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Shrapnel 1:01PM (5/24/2007)
The Z4 is BMW's answer to the Boxster/Cayman. The Z4 coupe is tiny, cramped, and not passable as a primary vehicle. Just because it has two doors does not make it competition.
Incidentally, the speculation is that BMW will up the HP and performance of the Z4 to address your concerns further.
Robz4 3:10PM (5/24/2007)
Dave the Z4 is a completely different car compared to the 1 series.As Shrapnel pointed out on his post the Z4 is in the same league as Porsche's Cayman/Boxter, Audi TT and to some extent Honda S2000.I drive one as my daily driver and I love it even though it is not a very practical choice as a primary car.I had a chance to drive a diesel 1 series in Spain last summer and I was very impressed.We are in for a treat !!
Tool 1:17PM (5/24/2007)
If BMW can make this 1-series a real BMW--not a poser like the 318ti--this will be a huge hit. Especially if they can get the pricepoint at less than $30k.
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Jeremy 2:43PM (5/24/2007)
how is the 318ti not a real bmw?
jg 1:22PM (5/24/2007)
'You say they would not intrude on the Mini, but it seems this intrudes on the Z4. '
The Z4 is a roadster not a small coupe, its not even in the same category as a 1 series. This car won't come near $40k except as an M1. And we will see a deisel in it but probably not in the first year.
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Tom 4:25PM (5/24/2007)
why do we need spyshots exactly? the 3-door is up on billboards around Amsterdam so I have to assume most elsewhere in Europe...especially Germany.
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johdaxx 6:35PM (5/24/2007)
This is really encouraging, it actually looks like a nice car. I just hope to god it is a change from all the open diff shiiite BMW has been selling lately.
At least make an 'si' or sport package with the LSD. They finally did it for the MINI - it's just got to on this car too; and the old people can all go drive their 3 series.
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johdaxx 7:04PM (5/24/2007)
Oh, and please god let it weigh less than 3000 lbs.
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aaron 2:06AM (5/25/2007)
johdaxx, it's a modern BMW (not an E30) with the standard safety equipment. No way in hell is it going to weigh less than 3,000.