Spy Shots: 2011 BMW 1 Series gets closer to production
by Damon Lavrinc on Jun 3rd 2009 at 3:33PM 
2011 BMW 1 Series - Click above for a high-res image gallery
The BMW 1 Series is due for a thorough overhaul, and judging by these recent spy shots, the entry-level Bimmer is on track to be released late next year. This second generation prototype was caught running between BMW's test centers in Germany wearing the roundel's patented psychedelic camo, and appears to blend some of the new X1's slab sides with the upright grille and fascia that debuted on the redesigned 2009 BMW 7 Series. The 2011 model is expected to be offered in an assortment of body styles, ranging from the coupe and convertible we get here in the States, to a traditional five-door hatch, sedan and possibly a three-door shooting brake.
As for powerplants, it's already been confirmed that BMW is working on a range of four-cylinder engines that may make it to the U.S., and recent rumors suggest a three-cylinder mill packing 1.35-liters of displacement and putting out between 163 and 241 hp is in development for the European market. Naturally, expect both the three- and four-cylinders to have a turbo dangling from the exhaust manifold, and the upcoming SuperSports model – a send-off to the current 1 series due out next year – could be a good indication of what to expect. Informed speculation says the SuperSports will be equipped with a twin-turbocharged 2.0- to 2.2-liter four-cylinder with an output of 300 hp and 331 lb-ft of torque. We half-expect the SuperSport to debut at this year's Frankfurt Motor Show, with the fully redesigned 1 series bowing at the Geneva Motor Show in March.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Tomac 3:41PM (6/03/2009)
Unless the 4d hatchback hits our shores, I'm not interested. And bring the diesel, please.
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Kumar 3:53PM (6/03/2009)
I agree. In this economy, a coupe or convertible is a tough sell, as they would mostly be extra cards in a household.
A hatch makes more sense as an entry level brand vehicle for people with families or needing extra room to haul around stuff, and a diesel engine would be a nice bonus.
With less leasing all around, I'd be surprised if we didn't see this premium hatch come out way, with the 3 series becoming a little less affordable. That is, unless they base sales estimates off of the Audi A3, who failed miserably by keeping the quattro out of the 2.0T for several years, and are following that up by keeping it out of the diesel version.
RT 5:32PM (6/03/2009)
I agree, hopefully we'll get it too with the update. I saw the 5 door hatchback in Australia last year, and was impressed with both its style and cargo carrying abilities.
no. 3:44PM (6/03/2009)
BMW 2011 X1 - Compact Dynamic Progressive Sports Activity Utilitiy Progressive Dynamic Utility Activity Vehicle
The Ultimate Driving Machine.
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petee209 3:56PM (6/03/2009)
Thank god. This car needs an overhaul in the exterior design department.
from these spy shots it looks like they have smoothed out the 'sag' at the bottom of the doors.
hopefully they make it more conservative like the 7 series.
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Wheatstraw 4:02PM (6/03/2009)
There's something so great about a twin-turbo four.
BMW is still killing themselves though. 3, 5 and 7 is all we need. No 1, 6 or X
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James 6:35PM (6/03/2009)
Really?
Maybe for enthusiasts, but the 1 sells very well (in Europe anyways), and the X3/5/6 and 6-series have all been hits in the U.S. BMW knows its core cars are loved by enthusiasts, as their performance speaks for itself. What's wrong with picking up extra sales with niche vehicles and other options? Sounds like a fine business plan to me.
Wheatstraw 9:52PM (6/03/2009)
I'm sure GM said the same thing at one time. What works in Europe does not always translate to here...I can think of a few political figures who would fit that bill.
There is so little difference between the 6 series and the 5 series...why bother? 1 and 3, the price difference is small. Why not get a 3, they weigh almost the same, same engine just smaller? The 1 is a waste and the SUV/CUV speaks for itself.
mkM3 9:42AM (6/04/2009)
"There is so little difference between the 6 series and the 5 series..."
Is there a typo in there somewhere, or did you really mean "5" and "6"? Because those two are nothing alike. The 5 series is a sedan/wagon, while the 6 series is a coupe/convertible. Its really no different than the 3 series which comes in all four body styles as well. Maybe you were just talking about getting rid of the 6 designation while keeping the cars as 5 series coupe/convertible? But that does nothing toward focusing the lineup on fewer offerings which appeared to be the point you were trying to make.
As for the 1 series, that is needed now that the 3 series is growing up. Cars of a given make usually get progressively larger with each generation, and eventually there is space opened at the bottom for a new offering. This is why the 1 series will come in sedan form next generation, so that it can replace the 3 series as the entry level vehicle in sedan-heavy markets (like the US). I don't necessarily like that the 3 series (or any car) keeps getting bigger, but that it part of the price you must pay to keep your offering at feature parity with the competition.
SUVs - meh. I am not a fan of them but lots of people are. They are money makers.
Wheatstraw 10:02AM (6/04/2009)
A 6 series is a re-bodied 5...
1 series needs to be at or below 3,000lbs otherwise, what's the point?
mkM3 11:40AM (6/04/2009)
Yes the 5 and 6 share a platform, but they are completely different cars that serve completely different needs/wants. Same situation with the three series variants, like I said. The 5 series sedan and the short wheelbase 7 series are far closer to one another in function than the 5 and 6 are.
The 1 series is no lightweight but it is still a hundred pounds or so lighter than the 3 series. It is also a more compact design. These are the same traits that seperate the 3 and 5.
Wheatstraw 11:48AM (6/04/2009)
I think we agree 99%...just argumentative by nature ;)
Shiftright 4:06PM (6/03/2009)
They can't kill the current ugly ass , cramped, overweight and overpriced 1 series soon enough. It seems the buying public agrees too. In image and badge conscious So Cal I've seen less than 10 on the road, whereas the elegant 3 series coupe is everywhere. It just looks awful as a coupe. The 3 and 5 version sold in Europe aren't too bad.
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James 6:39PM (6/03/2009)
I don't know. Could that be because "image conscious" southern Calfornians are too image conscious to drive anything that starts with a 1?
You can lease a 128i for the same monthly payment as a 328i, so you really have to "get" the point of the 1-series to want one. As most buyers in this country follow the "bigger is better" mentality, I don't expect many to in your neck of the words, which is a shame because a 135i coupe drives nothing like a 3 series.
Shiftright 8:23PM (6/03/2009)
My point precisely. Maybe you should say you can lease a 3 series for the same price of a 1 series, and it's just as quick, infinitely much better looking, roomier, more usable and sure to retain a higher resale value. The badge addicts around here usually buy anything with a BMW badge on it, regardless of merit and / or value, and even they aren't buying it.
The 1 looks like a caricature of a 3 in the style you see on T-shirts of the 70s and 80s, like somebody truncated all its proportions and its eyes are bugging out. If it was at least priced in the high 20's or low 30's well equipped, then maybe its weight or aesthetics wouldn't make it as pointless.
VW GTi 4:17PM (6/03/2009)
This will hopefully be good. I personally want to see a 2 door hatch diesel over in the U.S. Those better just be disguise over the taillights.
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British_Rover 4:55PM (6/03/2009)
VW is supposed to be bring the GTD to the US either late fall of this year or first part of next year.
That will be a two or four door hatch. Not RWD of course but you get better space efficiency with the FWD in that type of car.
Jesus 4:37PM (6/03/2009)
Another BMW that will base at $27,000, but you won't be able to find one for under $37,500.
No thanks.
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fixitfixitstop 10:54AM (6/04/2009)
Yeah. I remember when the 318ti came out, and they were banging the $19995 drum. I went to the dealer, and none of them on the lot were under $25k.
P.V. 5:41PM (6/03/2009)
I'm REALLY looking forward to the new smaller displacement, reduced cylinder turbocharged engines.
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