Autoblog

BMW spills all the beans on new 1 Series

Noah Joseph — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 13:48:00 EST

2012 BMW 1 Series - Click above for high-res image mega gallery

There's no point, or so the saying goes, of closing the door once the horses have bolted. So shortly after the first handful of images leaked their way onto the Internet, BMW has released the full kit n' kaboodle on its new entry-level model.

The all-new 2012 1 Series is expected to make its world debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show this fall. And when it does, it will be a substantially different car than the model it replaces. The new model - code-named F20 and based on the same platform that underpins the (now only slightly larger) 3 Series - has grown considerably over the E81 it succeeds, with every dimension but height increasing. The changes benefit both interior and cargo space, two aspects where the outgoing model fell short.

The new sheetmetal has also bears revised styling, with a bigger face incorporating the giant eyes featured on BMW's latest concept cars, a more pronounced swage line and taillights moved outboard across the wider track to offer a larger liftgate aperture for increased ease-of-use. The Bavarians also appear to have paid close attention to the interior fit and finish to improve on the previous model's rather spartan cabin.

Under that long nose, the new baby Bimmer is being launched exclusively with four-cylinder engines, and while more variants are expected to follow, for now it's just the five-door hatch. A pair of 1.6-liter gasoline engines pack direct injection and offer 136 horsepower in 116i trim and 170 in the 118i. Three 2.0-liter turbo-diesels are also being offered overseas, ranging from 116 horsepower up to 184 in the flagship 120d. A 1.5-liter three-pot is expected to come in gasoline and diesel variants, while the top 128iS is slated to get a 245hp turbo 2.0-liter gasoline four to take the place of the current six-cylinder 130i.

All engines come mated to either a six-speed manual or an optional eight-speed auto from ZF, with an array of earth-friendly technologies including stop-start ignition and regenerative braking. Of course, this being the latest offering from a leading German automaker, all manner of electronic assists are on offer, from self-adjusting high-beams and lane departure warning to automatic traffic sign recognition and a back-up camera.

Overseas buyers will also be able to choose between Urban and Sport trim levels offering different aesthetics, but we'll have to sit tight to see which models will make their voyage to this side of the Atlantic. In the meantime, you're invited to peruse the massive 127-image high-resolution gallery for all the angles and the extensive 21-page press release - complete with spec sheets - after the jump.

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BMW spills all the beans on new 1 Series originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 05 Jun 2011 13:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Essen 2009: AC Schnitzer gives BMW 123d the police package treatment [w/VIDEO]

Sam Abuelsamid — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 19:31:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Concept Cars, Coupe, Europe, BMW, Misc. Auto Shows, Police/Emergency, Design/Style, Diesel

AC Schnitzer BMW 123d Tune It Safe! police concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

High performance vehicles like Porsche 911s being used for pursuit duty on Germany's autobahn is nothing new. As such, in order order to grab the attention of Essen Motor Show attendees, the Tune It Safe! program's annual police-liveried show car needs to go a step further. Past efforts have included rides such as a police-liveried Brabus Rocket and a TechArt-prepared Porsche 911. This year, AC Schnitzer got the call and it has unwrapped (or perhaps wrapped is the better term, given the side graphics) a police car concept based on the BMW 123d coupe.

Naturally, Schnitzer couldn't leave the stock, 40 mpg 204-horsepower twin-turbo 2.0-liter four-cylinder diesel alone, and so it has boosted the show car's engine to 241 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque. They've also applied an array of their appearance upgrades including a front splitter, rear spoiler, and a bigger wheel/tire package. The body has been dropped 30 millimeters, which should help compensate a bit for the extra drag of the light bar on the roof. Inside, racing seats and carbon fiber trim are accompanied by a cover for the iDrive knob that matches the wheel design.

We'll pass on the light bar and the graphics, but take the rest of the car, please. Not sure about it yourself? Take a look at the high-res gallery below and a video available after the jump.

Gallery: AC Schnitzer BMW 123d police package

[Source: AC Schnitzer]

Continue reading Essen 2009: AC Schnitzer gives BMW 123d the police package treatment [w/VIDEO]

Essen 2009: AC Schnitzer gives BMW 123d the police package treatment [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 28 Nov 2009 19:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MINI pondering BMW-engined diesel models, including JCW?

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 13:58:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Budget, Hatchback, BMW, Mini

Two weeks ago, Auto Express reported that MINI would be creating a John Cooper Works edition diesel with more than 160 horsepower and improved torque. Now, fellow UK publication Autocar looks to have the details, which includes speculation that the extra oomph will come from BMW engines now used in the 1 Series cars - and they might not just be for JCW models.

According to the report, the white coats at BMW inserted a detuned 2.0-liter diesel that is longitudinally mounted in the 120d into the transverse engine bay of the MINI. The result was a MINI diesel with 40 hp more than the Cooper D, which currently uses an engine that BMW developed with PSA Peugeot/Citroen.

Autocar also reports that the twin turbo lump from the 123d can be fitted to the MINI, which could be used to create a diesel JCW. If they don't detune the engine, that would mean a 7 hp drop versus the gas-engined version, but 105 more lb-ft. of twist and better than 40 mpg when the drivetrain isn't being stomped on. Autocar says that BMW has begun testing the new diesels with an eye on retail sales in 12 months.

[Source: Autocar | Photo credit: themullett]

MINI pondering BMW-engined diesel models, including JCW? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 31 Mar 2009 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: BMW 135i "SuperSports" model coming in 2010

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 10:26:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, BMW, Rumormill

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

According to a report originally posted at Germancarzone and then repeated at BMW Blog, a certain Bavarian automaker is currently working on a new performance version of its 1 Series. Although it wouldn't be called an M1 -- since that moniker is reserved for supercar status -- the so-called 135i SuperSports would get a bunch of improvements, consisting mostly of lightweight body panels, a decontented interior, as well as an upgraded suspension and brake package. Power is said to come from the latest version of BMW's outstanding 3.0L turbocharged inline-six that's rated at 326-horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque in the 2009 7 Series.

We wouldn't be surprised to see the upgraded engine migrate down the line from its placement under the hood of the latest flagship, but we're a bit dubious that an upcoming lightweight SuperSports edition will see daylight beyond that. We'd rather see the 1 Series get these light weight mods (in a tii model perhaps?) along with a smaller four cylinder engine option, complete with a price that's a bit easier to swallow than the current model. We're also still holding out hope for the 123d.

Gallery: BMW Concept 1 Series tii

[Source: Germancarzone via BMW Blog]

Rumormill: BMW 135i "SuperSports" model coming in 2010 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 Jan 2009 10:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Frankfurt 2007: BMW 1-series in-depth

Damon Lavrinc — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 14:11:00 EST

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Coupe, BMW

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.

Gallery: BMW 1-Series Coupe

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Frankfurt 2007: BMW 1-series in-depth originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 14 Sep 2007 14:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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That was quick! Official information on BMW's 1-series coupe

Alex Nunez — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 19:22:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Europe, BMW

While the blogosphere was busy covering the latest batch of spy shots of Bimmer's new 1-Series coupe, BMW UK went and posted official details on its version of the car, which will arrive in November as the 120d, 123d, and 135i. We'll get to the two diesels (which we won't see here, in all likelihood) in a moment. The official rundown on the BMW 135i Coupe goes like this: 306 horsepower, 295 lb-ft from 1,300 - 5,000 rpm, Zero to 62 mph in 5.3 sec, and a 155 mph top speed. Fuel economy is rated at over 25 mpg (US) in the European combined cycle.

As for the diesels, they sound pretty good, too -- particularly the 123d, which benefits from BMW's Efficient Dynamics program (Stop/Start, brake regeneration, active aero, etc). In addition to being rated at over 44 mpg (US) in the combined cycle. the 123d is gutsy. Its twin-turbocharged 1998cc diesel four-cylinder makes 204 horses -- that's over 100 hp/liter. The run to sixty takes 7 seconds and it tops out at 148 mph. The entry-level 120d also gets the Efficient Dynamics tech, but makes 177 horses. It's performance is a slight downgrade from the 123d (.6 seconds longer to 60 mph) but it beats it in fuel economy.

Want to read more? It's all there in black and white at BMW UK.

Nice tip, Sjo!

[Source: BMW UK]

Continue reading That was quick! Official information on BMW's 1-series coupe

That was quick! Official information on BMW's 1-series coupe originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 27 Jun 2007 19:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW updates and expansions: M5 gets more oomph, new diesels on their way

Damon Lavrinc — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 19:34:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Sedan, SUV, Europe, Crossover, BMW

BMW seems to be matching pace with Audi in its pursuit of becoming all things to all people. We know that a new compact crossover is in the works, along with a supercar to best its cross-town rivals, and the soon-to-be-U.S.-bound 1-series will be released in both coupe and convertible forms.

But BMW isn't letting its core products rot on the vine. They'll be upgrading their European oilburning offerings with a new 2-liter diesel, set to find its way under the hood of the 123d, while the X5 will get a 3-liter diesel, producing 286 HP and 580 Nm of torque.

In an effort to combat the upcoming RS6, BMW also plans to revamp the M5 with a revised version of the 5-liter V10 that should bump horsepower into the 520 to 530 realm. Along with the engine upgrades, expect to see several interior upgrades, including a new heads-up display system.

[Source: Motor Authority]

BMW updates and expansions: M5 gets more oomph, new diesels on their way originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 Jun 2007 19:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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