BMW considering five possible variants of next 1-series, turbocharging galore
A report by AutoBild states that BMW's designers are hard at work on the next iteration of the 1 series and that five different body styles are under review, with only one headed for production.
The variations include a three-door shooting brake, a five-door wagon, a "Progressive Activity Sedan" smaller than the X1, a lifted "Sports Activity Coupe" with a glass roof and, coinciding with an earlier report, a more traditional "sports tourer" that could be the spiritual successor to the 2002.
According to AutoBild, no matter which model makes the cut, BMW plans to downsize the displacement of its engines and begin the wide-scale implementation of turbocharging and direct injection across the 1 series range. The 116i model will make use of a 136 hp, 1.3-liter turbo, the 118i will use a 1.3-liter turbo tweaked to produce 177 hp, the 120i will get a 218 hp 2.0-liter turbo and the 3.0-liter turbocharged inline six will put out an estimated 326 hp. Both new diesel engines and mild hybrid variants are also planned, and BMW's dual-clutch gearbox will be available on more sport-oriented models, while a standard slushbox will be employed on the rest of the range.
The new 1 series is expected to hit Europe in 2011, with a the Super Sport model debuting in 2012 and a convertible variant arriving a year later.
[Source: AutoBild]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Trent 10:02AM (2/05/2009)
And with this comes the death of the manual transmission. RIP 6MT.
Reply
Jared 11:45AM (2/05/2009)
mmm... 2 door hatch's... *drool*
madmanmax 10:13AM (2/05/2009)
Where did it say no more 6MT??
Reply
bigford87129 10:27AM (2/05/2009)
"BMW's dual-clutch gearbox will be available on more sport-oriented models, while a standard slushbox will be employed on the rest of the range."
Eric77TA 11:17AM (2/05/2009)
I think that just means in instances where a manual transmission is not specified. Not that a manual transmission won't be available at all.
IK 12:28PM (2/05/2009)
there's no way that there would be no 6MT
just means that you won't have to pay extra for the AT
revvo 1:18PM (2/05/2009)
Indeed. You'll pay extra for a simpler built manual transmission -_-
"Get the full control of the car with this all new manual transmission for only $2000 more". Mark my words, Marketing bs will make MT's more expensive than Autos sooner or later.
Mobius_1 6:07AM (2/11/2009)
The "Enthusiast Tax"
ChopperDave 10:14AM (2/05/2009)
Hot damn, I love that hatch ... I saw a handful of them while I was in Barcelona for a few days, and to tell you the truth, it's the only BMW I think I'd buy. 3- or 5-door.
But for every 1-Series I saw, I saw five Audi A3s. They love them over there ...
Reply
petee209 10:21AM (2/05/2009)
I hope they fix the styling now that Bangle is gone.
Reply
Beastage 10:36AM (2/05/2009)
I got no idea where all the hate "hardcore" fans have to Bangle... because
Fact: BMW doing better than ever.
Anyway, I never seen brake disks that big on a real life BMW 1 :O
Year1of1 10:42AM (2/05/2009)
I agree Beastage,
Bangle was a great asset to BMW and helps push their designs to great levels... if he hadn't been involved we would have seen no change. The newest bmw designs are far superior and elegant than ever before...
not to mention the mans impact on the industry as a total... if he's so bad, why have so many other OEM's copied his design cues?
Rev 10:51AM (2/05/2009)
I don't. Bangle-BMWs are some of my favorites...
Alvin 11:06AM (2/05/2009)
http://www.speedsportlife.com/2009/02/04/avoidable-contact-24-the-man-who-saved-bmw/
why not the LS2LS7? 11:18AM (2/05/2009)
I don't hate him, I just dislike his styling.
I autoblog showed the sales stats for all makers two days ago. BMW is not doing better than ever. No, this isn't due to Bangle, but neither can he be credited for the run up in sales during the times when the economy was big.
larry a 11:19AM (2/05/2009)
Their sales may have gone up but they've definitely lost enthusiast support. He did help evolve the design and made every car look different which I appreciate. But to me nothings better than an e30 M3, e39 5 series, and the e46 M3, the e36 was fugly.
Anyway I'm hoping the 1 series becomes lighter and that they add a 4cyl turbo
jg 11:37AM (2/05/2009)
What was the last car Bangle actually designed? He's been in charge of design but he's not doing the drawings. Not for a long time.
Pip 11:54AM (2/05/2009)
I always preferred BMWs aggressive hard lines in the early 90s and before. The Bangle stuff just seems to roundy and elegant. When I used to think BMW, I thought aggressive, stylish, with the added incentive of total luxury. When I look at a current BMW, I think elegant, typical, sleeper.
I just want a more aggressive look.
Just don't stick goofy LED lights everywhere. I love the new Audis, but those LED light bar accents everywhere gotta go.
Beastage 1:39PM (2/05/2009)
@ why not the LS2LS7?
The sales from 2 days ago are unrelated to my point....
Since Bangle started working for BMW, they increased popularity and sales by a great amount...
we are talking years here, not months.
Toy Yoda 1:57PM (2/05/2009)
Actually beastage, I think LS was talking about the overheated economy which has been like this for years not days.