BMW approves tii versions of 1- and 3-Series
Click above for high-res gallery of the Concept 1-Series tii
We've known that BMW has plans to revive the tii series name ever since the automaker unveiled the Concept 1-Series tii at the Tokyo Motor Show. While we don't have anything as official as a press release from the Munich-based automaker, CAR online got BMW chief Norbert Reithofer to fess up that tii models are on their way. What we don't know, however, is whether they will be equipment packages that include upgraded mechanicals, perhaps that can be ordered a la carte, or full fledged models that have been fleshed out by BMW engineers. Reithofer did indicate that the 1-Series and 3-Series will be first in line for the tii treatment, and that subsequently an M model of the 1-Series is not being planned.
Over the past 20 years, BMW has managed to back up its claim of building Ultimate Driving Machines despite each of its cars growing in size and gaining weight with each new generation. It's done this largely by adding bigger, more powerful engines to its cars. With new CAFE standards demanding more fuel efficient vehicles in the U.S., and BMW already indicating that cutting cylinders to help meet those standards is a distinct possibility, the tii ethos of subtracting weight and focusing on handling more than passing power seems like the most probable path down which BMW will run.
Gallery: BMW Concept 1 Series tii
[Source: CAR Online]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
FSM 4:39PM (4/02/2008)
First things first, get rid of the fricking leather, sunroof, and runflat tires. Three things that many people hate, add weight, and add cost.
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BMWdownshift 5:04PM (4/02/2008)
lol
MJL 4:42PM (4/02/2008)
Wow, so the price of fuel will end up being good news for true enthusiasts everywhere.
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speedball3 4:51PM (4/02/2008)
I'd be more welcoming to a 3-series tii than 1-series. A 3-series sedan tii would be sweet... too bad the price tag would be too high for me.
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davido 4:55PM (4/02/2008)
The most important thing to me with regard to power is that I have adequate passing power and power to merge, particularly when using some of the absurdly short merge lanes we have in the Minneapolis area. Beyond that it's all about ride/handling, steering and stopping.
Most if not all of my dream cars growing up, Porsche 914's and 911's, , E-Type Jags, injected Vettes and at the extreme end Ferrari's all got to 60mph in the high 5 sec range at best and would all get smoked today by any number of sedans, SUV's and hot hatches.
The small sports cars from Lotus, Alpha, MG, Nissan (then Datsun), couldn't run with today's V6 Camry's. Still, I wouldn't choose a Camry over a Lotus Elan or a 240Z just because the Camry will outrun them in a quarter mile.
Give me adequate acceleration, handing and high mileage and I'm a happy boy.
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Gooch 8:01AM (4/03/2008)
Hey, good post. I agree 100%.
Nicko 4:57PM (4/02/2008)
I wonder how much weight they could drop from a 3 series sedan, 200-300lbs?
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wushu 4:58PM (4/02/2008)
I already have a 335i with Sports Package. What I want is a factory LSD add-on.
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BMWdownshift 5:07PM (4/02/2008)
Agreed, I too would like an optional OEM LSD.
Paul H. 5:52PM (4/02/2008)
I'd be more interested in the 1 series coupe they sell here in the U.S. if they put the engine from the 320si in it and dropped the curb weight by deleting some of the luxury items, drop the price of entry and made it into a real club racer type of car. Something along the lines of say, an E36 M3 lightweight...just less expensive.
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John 5:58PM (4/02/2008)
Wow, the 3 series is going to have as many variants as the Mustang.
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Harrison 2:10AM (4/03/2008)
Yeah, but these would actually be worth a damn.
YouFaceTheTick 6:11PM (4/02/2008)
BMW and bigger engines? Um, actually that's still not true and hasn't been ever. The 3 series runs a 3.0 and 3.0TT while all of its serious competition uses a 3.5 liter (C, G37/35, IS350). The M3 runs a 4.0 liter while the MB C63 is a 6.3 liter monster and the IS uses a 5.0 liter engine.
You guys should know your car history before you spout utter-BS.
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Arsenal 6:54PM (4/02/2008)
Uh...the original e30 M3 had a 2.3L engine, followed by the 3.0L E36, then the 3.2L E36, then the 3.2L E46 and now the 4.0L E90.
You don't call that using increasingly larger engines over the last 20 years? Where's the utter BS in that?
You need to read more closely. No one is saying BMW's have bigger engines than their competition. They're saying they've maintained performance despite increasing weight by using larger engines.
And really, what does quoting engine sizes of current cars have anything to do with car history?
Justin 8:03PM (4/02/2008)
Youfacethetick:
Wait, so what does displacement have to do with actual engine size/weight? BMW's 4L v8 weighs basically the same as their piggy inline 6, as well as the "monster" MB 6.2 V8. GM's ls v8's also achieve equivalent weight/size and mpg to other performance engines of much lower dislpacement.
Displacement for the sake of displacement? No thanks.
YouFaceTheTick 8:58PM (4/02/2008)
BMW has consistently used lower displacement engines than direct competitors.
Toy Yoda 12:58AM (4/03/2008)
Actually Justin, hp/weight ratio, which is alot more important than the hp/L, the BMW market gimmick, favors AMG motors over BMW.
Lee Gibson 6:31PM (4/02/2008)
Sounds like you need a Miata.
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R34GTRGuy 11:13AM (4/03/2008)
While I'm interested in what could be a great car in the 3-Series tii, what will the price point be? Isn't it already bad enough that the 135i convertible is topping out at around $50k with all its options? So doen that mean the 3-Series tii will be near M3 money? If that's the case, I think I'd stick with the E92 M3 and cruise around LA in the summer with the air conditioning on while watching 3tii owners zoom past just to cool down.
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Fooman 7:16PM (4/02/2008)
There will never be a 1 series M, because that would be an M1, which BMW feels should not be reused. Although the M package in the 1 is considered a soft M like the 850 csi.
I also would not bet that a TII 3 series will able to touch the M3, with a weight reduction anything over 300hp would put it in M3 territory.
expect the 1tii to run a 4 cyl twin turbo.
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