Click above for high-res gallery of the BMW Concept 1-Series tii
Of all the BMW 2002s still on the road, the tii models have remained the most highly prized. The combination of lightweight parts, Kugelfisher mechanical fuel injection and upgraded braking and suspension components made it the milestone of BMW performance offerings during the '60s and '70s. BMW recognizes the cachet that the tii badge carries among afficionados, and may be looking to officially bring back the badge to slot in below its M-line of products.
What began with the 1-series tii concept has evolved into the automaker's BMW Performance accessories range that now includes aero bits, uprated wheels and brakes, plus a range of interior components covering everything from heavily bolstered buckets to LED instrument clusters. BMW might be planning to offer similar parts for the next generation 3-series, due out sometime in early 2012. Aside from more traditional bolt-on accessories, this could included a tweaked version of the twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter straight-six currently found in the 335i producing 355 hp and sending power to BMW's new dual-clutch transmission on its way down the driveline to an M3-spec limited-slip differential.
Naturally, any news coming from Autobild has to be treated with a few grains of salt, but if BMW offers a tii version of the 1-series – rumored to be a possibility – it wouldn't be a tough sell for a similar version of BMW's best-selling 3-series.
Update: Gabe over at BimmerFile tipped us off that the electronic differential and DSC system found in the current 135i will find its way into the 335i in the next few years. The extra kit will likely be part of a performance package to keep the 335i relevant before the next iteration comes to market.
[Source: AutoBild via Motor Authority]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
jim @ Mar 12th 2008 2:47PM
The M3 is the current tii. Is BMW going to have special models of their special models?
3seriesisking @ Mar 12th 2008 3:04PM
I disagree. The M3 shares with the 3 series but is not a 3 series. It's a different machine and the boys over at M don't regard it as a "special edition" 3 series. The tii would fill that special edition niche on the 3 and be slotted below the M3...cheaper but still bad ass.
jg @ Mar 12th 2008 3:46PM
'The M3 is the current tii. '
No it isn't.
Toy Yoda @ Mar 12th 2008 3:59PM
He's complaining about the fact that the M3 isn't that much better than the splendid 335, to merit the M-badge, when you consider that you can merely chip the 335 and you can get comparable hp.
Valentino Amoro @ Mar 12th 2008 11:54PM
I agree with Toy. It seems the 335 w chip and exhaust produce the same HP ratings as the M3, with the advantage of much more torque for real world driving (plus the elimination of th eneed to rev a V8 to 8000rmp).
Add a LSD and the 335+Procede is an M3, if not better for 3K more than a 335.
sydbot @ Mar 12th 2008 3:00PM
355hp? That'd probably mean between 330-350 ft-lbf and wouldn't that put it too close to the M3 in straight line performance?
416Hammy @ Mar 12th 2008 3:36PM
Isn't the 135i overpriced enough?
SOhp101 @ Mar 12th 2008 5:07PM
That's what I originally thought too... but after carefully looking at both cars I have to say that the 1 series is actually pretty darn good.
If I could get over the ugly looks I would choose it over the 3 series. $5k can buy a lot.
416Hammy @ Mar 12th 2008 5:09PM
That's just it... if I want fast and ugly, I'll buy an STI or EVO.
mercury26 @ Mar 12th 2008 4:19PM
Maybe the tii package will include a dipstick on the engine to check the oil level manually. I would pay $50 for that!
Mike @ Mar 12th 2008 4:19PM
A tii 3-Series? Yes please! I really would love a 3-Series that retains the drivability and refinement of the traditional 3-Series but with performance and looks closer to the M. Right now I guess the closest you can get to that combo is the E92 335i, but it could be better. Hell, I'd buy a new tii just for that carbon hood with the clear coat stripes so you can see the weave...pretty awesome.
I do agree with the posters above though, a tii 3-Series would have to result in some upgrading to the ///M to make the jump to ///M worth the investment.
Toy Yoda @ Mar 12th 2008 5:18PM
Did you notice that if they changed the t on the tii, to a w, you get the wii, a neat, compact game console.
:)
Rick @ Mar 12th 2008 6:46PM
A new tii, in being a genetic successor to the original, should be come with a 4-cylinder. I'm surprised with rise of fuel prices, BMW didn't consider this.
naggs @ Mar 12th 2008 11:15PM
thats what i am thinking, go to a turbo 4 for better weight and balance
let the m3 get bogged down in the horsepower wars and build a real tii successor
Fooman @ Mar 12th 2008 8:23PM
The 3 series already has the DSC that works as a poor mans dsc. There will be a full LSD in the 135, but at this time BMW has stated that the only 3 series to get a LSD from the factory is the M3.
As for special editions of special editions... 3series>M3>M3 CSL> M3 GTR
It is also looking like the tii 1 series will be getting a 4 banger, that is pretty clear at this point, the question is if it will be a twin turbo or not.
Fooman @ Mar 12th 2008 8:25PM
Whoops one quick note.... Basically the Tii will be the M1, but BMW has stated that there will be no other car that carries that name unless it is a supercar. So in effect the 1series tii will be a M version of the 1 series. This is not the first time there has been "M's" that did not carry the M badge. For instance the 850csi is an official M car, but for obvious reasons the M8 name was never used.
Fooman @ Mar 12th 2008 10:33PM
Actually there is an M7 in the works... and an M8 would look like "mate"
Tourian @ Mar 12th 2008 8:33PM
Why? Because M8 is a tank or gun? Seems like an appropriate name for a big heavy German coupe. I kid. I thought the reason there was no M8 is the same reason there will never be an M7 because the latter, according to BMW M engineers is that the 7 series platform is to big and too heavy to bring the level of performance and agility required to be deemed an M car. Which is why the Alpina B7 exists as the only way to get a tarted up 7 series from the dealer.
chapusin @ Mar 13th 2008 6:43PM
i dont know what the hell is bmw thinking, if the 3, 5, 7, 1 series are soooo good at what they do, why oh why cant they hire a designer that can actually put some creativity into the interior or their goddamn cars! heck, my brother's 07 honda civic is 600 times prettier than that let's say, "minimalist" interior