Autoblog

BMW has definitely ramped up its marketing for the launch of the new 1-series coupe. We've already seen the fruits of its advertising partners' ingenuity on the cover of Vice magazine, and today we've been tipped off on the attached video. In it, you'll see a group of agency types assemble a two-dimensional 1 out of paper and poster board. When complete, they go out for a Flintstones-powered "test drive" in Manhattan to try it out for size. Just remember, crosswalk and sidewalk operation is safe for pretend 1-series Bimmers only. Watch the full video after the jump. Thanks for the tip, Jon!

[Source: BMW via YouTube]

Click the image above for a host of live high-res pics of the BMW 1-series.

Of all the vehicles that made their debut at this year's Frankfurt Motor Show, one will likely have more impact on North American enthusiasts than any other. The BMW 1-series is outfitted with nearly everything your average motorphile could want: small size, big power, front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 50/50 weight distribution -- the list goes on and on. That's why, rather than rattling off a few sentences littered with a handful of jokes and statistics, we wanted to spend a bit more time on the 1-series, much the way you would if you had attended the show.

Here we have spy shots of an almost completely uncloaked 1-Series Coupe, the version of BMW's smallest car that we'll be getting here in the U.S. To put it bluntly, this is the BMW we Autobloggers are longing for. It's small size and lighter weight should translate into a car that's more nimble than the old E36 3-Series, which is the last car we can remember that relied more on its handling prowess than its engine displacement to be an ultimate driving machine. Sources report that the 1-Series Coupe in the U.S. will not be offered with a four-cylinder engine. Instead, the base model will likely be powered by the 3.0L six from the 130i. A high-performance model with BMW's twin-turbo 3.0L inline-six will also be available, providing an ample amount of grunt to make the 1-Series Coupe a force with which to be reckoned. Still, even the base model, which will likely be priced between $25k and $28k, should be a capable performer.

[Source: World Car Fans]