Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[2008 BMW 1-Series are special, receive engraved start-stop buttons]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/09/2008-bmw-1-series-are-special-receive-engraved-start-stop-butto/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/09/2008-bmw-1-series-are-special-receive-engraved-start-stop-butto/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/09/2008-bmw-1-series-are-special-receive-engraved-start-stop-butto/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Europeans have been privy to luxury small cars for decades, but since gasoline has always been much cheaper here in the States, we've been stuck with mostly unathletic luxury barges. Three dollar per gallon gasoline is changing that paradigm quickly, and smaller high-end vehicles are finally hitting our shores. Perhaps the most highly anticipated one is the BMW 1-Series, with its well-known brand pedigree and the same engines found in the 3-Series.

BMW is pulling out all the stops to ensure that the 1-Series coupe and cabriolet are successful in the US, and the marketing push reaches all the way to the stop-start button. To commemorate the beginning of the 1-Series, BMW is engraving each and every stop-start button with "Year One of the 1". The phrase pretty much says it all, and enthusiasts waiting in line for the spry little Bimmer are probably already committed to buying the smallest RWD vehicle in America with or without the special message. We're looking forward to taking a 135i out on public roads, and we'll let you know if we actually notice the forgetful little phrase embedded into the overplayed stop-start button.

[Source: CarScoop]

2008 BMW 1-Series are special, receive engraved start-stop buttons originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 09 Nov 2007 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>130i135i3.0L inline six3.0lInlineSixBavarian Motor WerksBavarianMotorWerksBMWBMW 1-SeriesBmw1-seriesFri, 09 Nov 2007 10:59:00 EST<![CDATA[It's on! BMW 1-series coming to the U.S. in 135i guise]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/17/its-on-bmw-1-series-coming-to-the-u-s-in-135i-guise/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/17/its-on-bmw-1-series-coming-to-the-u-s-in-135i-guise/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/17/its-on-bmw-1-series-coming-to-the-u-s-in-135i-guise/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



At what Winding Road described as a "corporate event this week," BMW officials have confirmed that the 1-series will be making its way to U.S. shores in 2008. The official announcement is expected later this year, which will finally put to rest the speculation we've been covering for far too long.

Just the fact that the 1-series is on its way is big enough news, but the real deal-sealer is that the two-door hatch will debut with the highly desirable, yet under clocked, twin-turbo 3-liter, inline-six. The 135i will be the first vehicle to be offered up to American enthusiasts, with the 130i coming at a later date.

Mr. Brennan over at Winding Road stressed that the 1-series will be offered in two-door versions (with an "s") in the future, including a convertible, a proper coupe and the aforementioned hatchback.

We've already made the case for a spiritual successor to the 2002 and it seems that the boys in Munich have the same idea, but a four-cylinder engine won't make its way under the bonnet until BMW, "does a proper turbocharged four-cylinder engine." Both a twin-turbo six and a blown four? It seems that BMW may finally be making products for the market it's been neglecting for over a decade.

As for price, expect the 1-series to fit snuggly between the MINI and the 3-series, with a $5k premium for the twin-turbo'd six.

[Source: Winding Road]

It's on! BMW 1-series coming to the U.S. in 135i guise originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Jan 2007 20:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1-series130i135ibmwWed, 17 Jan 2007 20:14:00 EST<![CDATA[BMW 1-series is coming. For real this time. Just don't ask when.]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/21/bmw-1-series-is-coming-for-real-this-time-just-dont-ask-when/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/21/bmw-1-series-is-coming-for-real-this-time-just-dont-ask-when/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/21/bmw-1-series-is-coming-for-real-this-time-just-dont-ask-when/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



For those of us looking for the spiritual successor to the BMW 2002, we've been waiting patiently as the folks across the Atlantic were able to walk into their local BMW dealer and order up a 130i. BMW's excuses for not importing the 1-series to North America centered on the weak dollar and a supposed lack of interest in hatchbacks (MINI anyone?), but we've been told that's about to change.

Way back in January of this year, BMW's CEO, Tom Purves, was quoted by Automotive News as saying that the 1-series, "is absolutely coming" and up until now, that's the last we've heard.

Now, in another interview with AutoNews, Norbert Reithofer, BMW's newest CEO, says, "We will definitely bring the 1-series to the United States, but it will not be a hatchback." Instead, we should expect a coupe, sedan and station wagon (although we're not quite sure how that's different from the image above) in the future.

We're not ready to hold our breath, but it's nice to know that the possibility is still on the table.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

BMW 1-series is coming. For real this time. Just don't ask when. originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 Nov 2006 07:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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