Autoblog

BMW and PSA teamed up to produce the 1.6-liter four-cylinder currently found in the R56 MINI Cooper, but according to an interview with BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer, the four-pot will also find its way into the BMW 1-series. The pre-release of his interview in the Frankfurter Allegemeine Zeitung didn't divulge which models would benefit from the four-cylinder engine, whether it will be available in both naturally aspirated or turbocharged guise or what markets in which it will be sold.

Reithofer also mentioned that the next generation 7-series, due to be released later this year, would be equipped with a new hybrid drivetrain. No timeframe was outlined as to when the hybrid 7 would be released, but when it is (likely next year), it's expected to be the mild-hybrid, co-developed with Daimler, originally shown on the X5 Vision EfficientDynamics concept.

[Source: Forbes]

Infiniti is gearing up for its entrance into Europe, but something's missing from its lineup: a small car. With BMW's 1-series being a popular choice for badge-obsessed consumers abroad, Infiniti needs something similar to solidify its place in the luxury hierarchy, but what form it will take is unclear.

According to Autocar, Infiniti insiders are planning to unleash something that aims to compete with the Audi A3 and BMW 1-series, but unnamed sources at Infiniti are quick to point out that the shape will be something entirely different than what's currently being offered by its competitors. The two options, according to Autocar, include a smaller crossover that would slot in below the EX35 or a hardtop convertible. Whatever it looks like, expect the new B-class Infiniti to be revealed sometime in 2010.

[Source: Autocar via JustAuto - Sub. Req.]

Click above for a few stills from the sham documentary.

Last week we reported on the literal, if untrue, launch of a BMW 135i from a 454 meter-high ramp in the fictional Bavarian village of Oberpfaffelbachen. Now, the faux documentary film producer who decided to cover this historic event (bought and paid for by Bimmer's boffins) has finally released his masterwork for the world to see. We've embedded it after the jump, but be forewarned, you'll never be able to get that 30+ minutes of your life back.

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 above for a few images leading up to Rampfest.

As jaded pseudo-journalists, viral marketing campaigns have lost some of their grimy allure over the last few years. But BMW's latest attempt to get the masses pumped about the imminent launch of the 1-series coupe in the U.S. has so much hoontastic potential than even our oddly named friends can't ignore it.

Head on over to the fictional Bavarian village of (lemme get this right) Oberpfaffelbachen's website and you're greeted with the Oktoberfest anthem. From there, you can read up on the town's history, get a quick "Hallo" from the mayor and begin to understand the marketing ruse that BMW is launching – literally – when you check out the Rampenfest link.

The idea is simple. Build a 454 meter-high ramp that will launch the 135i over the European landscape and across the Atlantic onto U.S. shores. But the joke doesn't end there. Jeff Schultz, a (faux) documentary filmmaker, has decided to produce a movie that will cover the entire event from conception to completion, and he's been kind enough to put up a trailer of his flick to whet our appetites for the big day.

You can check out the trailer here, the filmmaker's blog here and if you're 21, female and willing to email a picture of yourself to be voted Miss Ramp (rim shot), you can enter with the rest of the contestants here.



[Source: Oberpfafelbachen via Jalopnik]

Magazines and ads are forever tied at the hip. After all, without the latter, the former can't exist. A magazine's front cover is one of the few spots left that's devoid of commercial encroachment -- until now. BMW Canada and Vice magazine have managed to give the 1-series top billing in the April edition. By day, it's just another issue of Vice, but douse the lights and you see some very clever marketing in action. That's because the mag has a special glow-in-the-dark treatment that turns the cover into a full-page ad for the BMW 1-series. As advertising stunts go, it's brilliant. Here's a front-page ad that's both unobtrusive (on newsstands, you just see the standard cover) and highly effective, since people are likely to talk about it and show it to friends. It couldn't have come cheap, either, as the covers had to be shuttled between two facilities during the manufacturing process to get the glowy look. No matter. Good ads get noticed and generate buzz. Mission accomplished. Thanks for the tip, Karen!

[Source: Media In Canada via Auto North]

Click above for a high-res gallery of the BMW 1-series tii concept.

Among the assorted wares BMW will be showing off in Geneva, the Bavarian boys will also be displaying a complete accessories package for the 1-series that includes a number of the aerodynamic features we've seen already.

According to Winding Road's sources, the concept that will be sitting on BMW's stand will gauge the public's interest in a tii model that could be powered by a twin-turbo, four-cylinder engine that would put a premium on (thank God) weight savings, thorough to lighter brakes, wheels and exterior elements.

Make the jump for BMW's press release about its performance parts for the 1-series.



[Source: BMW via Winding Road]

Click above for a gallery of pics.

The numero-uno forum for all things 1-series got a hold of BMW's brochure for its upcoming line of performance parts, and as suspected, much of the kit originally seen on the tii concept will be available through authorized BMW dealers.

The photos we posted last week of the modified 1-series show the same car displayed in the brochure. Unfortunately, the text is in German, but Google's translation software is here to help.

Aside from some aerodynamic body panels that are visible in the pictures, well-to-do customizers can upgrade the front brakes of their 1-series with six-piston yellow calipers squeezing 325mm drilled and slotted rotors, while two-piston calipers in the rear grab onto 320mm rotors. Three different wheel choices frame those new yellow binders, ranging from 18x7.5-inches all the way up to 19x9 inch rollers, while a new dampers, springs, stabilizer and strut tower bars are available to keep things planted at all four corners.

While we don't see an optional ECU upgrade mentioned in the brochure, BMW will be offering a new intake setup and a full exhaust to ease breathing duties, and a new short shifter supposedly reduces throws by 25-percent over its stock counterpart.

Inside, there's plenty of carbon fiber, aluminum and Alcantara accoutrements that can be applied throughout the interior, and those sports seats we've been drooling over will be available as well. The big question, however, is what's going on with the steering wheel. At the 12 o'clock position is an LCD screen that can be controlled via the two buttons flanking its sides. The display can act as a stopwatch, able to keep track of 10 different laps down to 1/100 of a second, and can record 1/8- and 1/4-mile times, saving them for later viewing, along with keeping tabs on the engine temp, positive, negative and lateral g's.

You can check out some of the pics in the gallery below.

Top tip Jack!

[Source: 1addicts]

click above for gallery of images

Few models in the BMW lineup have as much tuning potential as the newly released 135i, and the Bavarian boys and girls are intent to capture as much of that market as possible. The BMW 1-series tii concept proved that BMW was serious about offering performance parts to boost (and possibly lighten) its new turbo'd coupe, and a member of 1addicts posted photos of what could be the first 135 to get the in-house tuner treatment.

Most of the parts shown are carryovers from the tii concept, including the revised front fascia, side skirts, carbon fiber diffuser and matching rear wing. The C.F. hood may have been swapped out for a stock aluminum piece, but we're guessing the weave has been covered in matching white paint. The upgraded brakes are one of the most obvious additions, while inside, there's plenty of Alcantara covered kit, from the shift boot to the seats, which are also dead ringers for the thrones shown on the concept. The steering wheel is new however, sporting more grippy suede and complete with three different sections packed with LEDs. Your guess is as good as ours about the two displays mounted at 11 and 1, but the center mounted LED arrangement is likely a shift-light/rev meter.

Thanks for the tip, JL!

Click the image above for a high-res view.

The carrier M/V Courage tipped at the port in Jersey City on Friday causing damage to over 370 BMWs. The ship was loaded with new 3-series and 1-series vehicles, including new M3s. Around 70 of the damaged cars are reported to be total losses with others sustaining major damage. Word is that the M3s bared the brunt of the brutality. Extensively damaged cars will be crushed while those with minor damage will undergo repair at a receiving facility in Elizabeth, NJ, after which they will proceed onto dealers. Bimmers destined for European delivery customers were also on board, although it's not clear how those buyers will be handled in the wake of the incident.

This is a particularly harsh hit to BMW in terms of the new M3 and even more so for the owners awaiting their new V8-powered uber-coupes. We'd expect this unfortunately event will lead to an extension of the waiting period many potential customers will have to endure. It also means many dealerships are out of luck for a demo car. With the M3's competition coming on strong from the likes of Lexus, Cadillac and Mercedes one can only imagine this sort of setback might steer away a few potential buyers.

Thanks for the tip Carl!

[Source M3Forum.com]