BMW X1, 7 Series hybrid headed to Paris; Z4 to debut in LA
by Alex Nunez on Aug 28th 2008 at 10:02AM 
Inside Line has the skinny on BMW's new product unveils for the upcoming show season. Paris and L.A. are the headliners, with the City of Light chosen as the backdrop for the official public debuts of the all-new 7 series (including an ActiveHybrid variant) and facelifted 3 Series. While those cars will get their fair share of attention, all eyes will likely to be on the concept X1, which will also make its world debut in Paris. The baby ute should be to the X3 what the 1 Series is to the 3. As for its "concept" status, if Bimmer concepts in recent years are any indication (think M5, Z4 Coupe, and M3), the X1 show car and production vehicle should be essentially one and the same. The next major unveiling involving a roundel-wearing car will take place this November in Los Angeles, where the redesigned Z4 will be introduced. According to Inside Line, it'll go on sale in January. As for the X1? Time will tell. Details on if and/or when it'll be offered in the States aren't available yet.
[Source: Inside Line]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
rsfourever 10:05AM (8/28/2008)
but no M1 or M3 CSL (the M1 I can understand because of the cost of developping an entirely new platform. but hte M3 CSL? The platform and car are already there, it only required modification to improve power and reduce weight!)
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WhyNotTheC63? 3:20PM (8/28/2008)
I live in the Orange County and have seen only 4 M3s since introduction of the new unit. Needless to say, that is dramatically less than what BMW hoped to sell of the new M3. Of all those who speak of the CSL fondly, 1 in 50 are in any position to purchase one. That's the easy part. The difficult part is prying $80,000+ out of someones hands that will very likely never use the potential of the base M3, much less the M3 CSL.
Alex 10:12AM (8/28/2008)
"The baby ute should be to the X3 what the 1 Series is to the 3."
Smaller with a sticker price just shy of the larger?
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Jon 12:08PM (8/28/2008)
And uglier..
3seriesisking 12:00PM (8/28/2008)
C'mon Jon, give BMW a break....you haven't even seen it yet.
Avinash machado 10:16AM (8/28/2008)
A hybrid 7-Series will be a great competitor to the Lexus LS600h. And being a BMW it perhaps will be more fun to drive. But what happened to the Hydrogen 7-Series that they had showed several months back?
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dave 10:42AM (8/28/2008)
Hydrogen is the way to go - but the technology is too far into the future. Storage/delivery are the biggest concerns; as well as a hyd. tank that is compressed in an accident. BMW, I think, should have been promoting both. Now Lexus has the upscale hybrid market sowed up.
Malhaar 11:20AM (8/28/2008)
I am not looking forward for the X1.. the X6 was bad enough. 7 Series hybrid sounds interesting, and i am curious to see the new Z4.
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jg 12:06PM (8/28/2008)
When is the Paris show?
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Jeff 1:48PM (8/28/2008)
Paris will be October 4-19, 2008
Justin 12:38PM (8/28/2008)
Good God BMW, just bring us 1, 3, and 5 Series wagons! Pretty sure they would be more aerodynamic and better handling than SUV's with their backs rounded off. I bet it would be way cheaper than redesigning a new SUV anyway.
Last time I checked, I thought BMW was supposed to be about driving dynamics. Guess I'm wrong.
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jg 2:06PM (8/28/2008)
What makes you think they aren't about driving dynamics anymore? Have you driven one that felt sluggish? What's your point other than wanting a station wagon?