![Bugatti Bird-gate Followup: Driver identity revealed <b>[*UPDATE:</b> Now with actual crash video!]](http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/11/bugatti-veyron-swim-1258147199_143x85.jpg)
VIDEO: More 1-Series goodness
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]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
MikeUF 1:05PM (12/23/2007)
Woulda like to have seen the 1 series do the exact same driving as the 2002
Reply
rmc 2:51PM (12/23/2007)
Look no further - finalgear.com - Fifth Gear July 3rd, '06 episode (well it was 4-door hatch, but something tells me this coupe will do even better)
marcus 9:39PM (12/23/2007)
For anyone interested, here's my uncle's 2002
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jansen68/2132462538/
Frogwhistle 1:39PM (12/23/2007)
That video makes me want a 2002 a lot more than a 1-Series.
Reply
dpb! 1:42PM (12/23/2007)
I think this car will do great. Yea some people will say it is overpriced and if you think that, awesome....don't get one then. But many others have stated that the 3-series has become bloated and lost its origional roots. Well I think the 1-series brings them back. From what I have read on this, it is not just a small car with a BMW badge, but just a smaller Ultimate Driving Machine!
Reply
Sam 1:59PM (12/23/2007)
so wait...the 2002 is the grandfather of both the 1 series and 3 series? I'm pretty sure it was the 3 series that birthed from the 2002. Except it pulled an Elvis and got bigger, fatter, and tamer.
BMW just needs to make a 1 series that is light-weight (2800-3000 lbs) and is rockin the turbocharged 6 cylinder engine with a bit more boost than standard.
and then sell it for 25 grand.
Reply
Cypher09 3:12PM (12/23/2007)
I think that's what everyone was expecting from the get go but BMW dropped the ball. Plus with the weak dollar the only way we will ever see a 25k BMW is if it's made here.
iomatic 4:11PM (12/24/2007)
Oh.
When I read "1-series goodness", I thought it meant the prices would be lowered to stay competitive with other small coups.
Alas.
Reply
rmc 2:43PM (12/23/2007)
As mentioned before the car is unique and has no competitors, so (it is a BMW) the price is right.
B-NOIT 5:37PM (12/23/2007)
Umm, no competitors? It's treading RX-8 and 350Z waters... And Mustang, Camaro, Challenger... Sporty 35K coupes, isn't that the market?
nagmashot 12:46AM (12/24/2007)
@ B-Nito
RX-8 same classe? NO ... not enough power
350Z not in the near of the 135i track perfromance.
First europen 135i tarck tests at the
Hockenheim shorttrack 135i 1:17.4min
that is faster as WRX STI and only 0.2s behind the Evo(btw the 135i has the same prize as WRX STI and Evo)... the 350Z is 1:18.7min. (BTW in Europe the 350Z is more expansive as the 135i..here the 350Z cost twice as much as in the USA nearly 40k Euro = $55k > $60k depending on option package)
Camaro comes 2009
Challenger is $40k plus
the only real 135i competition in my eyes..
Evo X and WRX STI.. all three same price class..nearly exactly the same power and all have nearly exact the same track perfromance..
rmc 11:16AM (12/24/2007)
And please please do not forget the brand - last time i cheked it is still counts - so highly respected Evo X and WRX STI are out on that merit, thus no competition.
iomatic 4:56PM (12/24/2007)
Hmm. I respectfully disagree; while I understand brand value quite well (being in the industry), for such a utility item like an automobile, function trumps labels any day. Another comparison: (I'd take a souped up, turbo'd small-hatch Honda to the drag and beat the crap out of a stock Camaro, if that was my bag.)
One thing you fail to mention in comparing this new (albeit very desirable) vehicle is that the STI and EVO have all-wheel drive. Not to mention four-very-useful doors.
I would venture to say that a mountain excursion would be far more pleasurable on an icy/snowy road with those AWD vehicles than a 1-series, but on a long stretch of desert highway, I'd take a coup and a hot babe any day. If my wife would allow it :D
love,
io
rmc 1:15PM (12/25/2007)
I'll take rear drive and rigidness of 2 doors anytime over 4Х4 with 4 doors.Merry Christmas.
iomatic 1:36PM (12/30/2007)
OK, I'll call the towing company when I see you on the side of the road on the mountain
:)
DW 2:34PM (12/23/2007)
Too bad it ain't 25k and costs AT LEAST 10k more than that. Personally, I don't see the appeal. If the 1-series was still a hatchback it would make sense with the stated "practically abandoning" of the SUV, but its a coupe....so that practicality is thrown out of the window. Not that I'd buy the hatchback either because it would still be grossly overpriced and both are still ugly as sin.
But thats just my opinion...
Reply
Jacob 2:47PM (12/23/2007)
I really doubt all the hype about the 1-series. Yes, it's small, but 3-4 more grands, you can buy a comparable 3-series. I doubt that many SUV-market refugees will be looking to buy the 1-series either. People who used to buy SUVs are mostly those who were looking for a safe family hauler and many of them are now buying CUVs or large sedans. 1-series is not in that category (and again, why should it be chosen when a 3-series is available for a slightly higher price?). I doubt there will be a big market for this coupe outside of a small segment of BMW's die-hards. This product will probably flop and die a quiet death.
Reply
rmc 2:55PM (12/23/2007)
My bet is huge success (relative of course - it is a small, expensive,one of a kind, fun machine).
steve 2:54PM (12/23/2007)
gimme a 135ix hatch with a fancy aftermarket 400 hp tune right now-thanks
Reply
ryann 3:12PM (12/23/2007)
Having owned both a 2002 and a more recent 3 series, I'd say that I'd prefer the 1 series much lighter, simpler, and with BMW's 2 liter 170hp engine. I'll admit they will sell many more of theirs than they would of mine, tastes have changed. These days that seems underpowered, but it's more than my 535is had.
Reply