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[BMW 135i tii up against V8 supercar, F1 racer at Australian Grand Prix]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/21/bmw-135i-tii-up-against-v8-supercar-f1-racer-at-australian-gran/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/21/bmw-135i-tii-up-against-v8-supercar-f1-racer-at-australian-gran/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/21/bmw-135i-tii-up-against-v8-supercar-f1-racer-at-australian-gran/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


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

BMW's little 1 Series has proven itself to be a credible performer that's able to hang with nearly anything else it likely to encounter on the road. But against an Australian V8 Supercar and BMW's own Formula 1 racer? Not a chance. Regardless, these three vehicles will indeed face off at the upcoming F1 season opener Down Under. To help level the playing field, each vehicle will start with a handicap, so the real excitement will begin near the end of the lap when the three cars close in on one another as they sprint to the finish line.

The 1 Series that's taking part in the event will be equipped with the German automaker's potent 3.0L twin-turbo inline six and will wear 18" alloys bolted up to a tuned suspension set up with cross-drilled brakes. A set of tii decals and a full BMW Performance aerodynamic body kit top things off. The race will be repeated 5 times starting on Thursday, March 26th.


Gallery: BMW Concept 1 Series tii


[Source: BMW]

Continue reading BMW 135i tii up against V8 supercar, F1 racer at Australian Grand Prix

BMW 135i tii up against V8 supercar, F1 racer at Australian Grand Prix originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 21 Mar 2009 12:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>australian gpaustralian grand prixAustralianGpAustralianGrandPrixbmwbmw 1 seriesbmw 1 series coupebmw 1 series tiibmw 1-seriesbmw 1-series coupebmw 135iBmw1-seriesBmw1-seriesCoupeBmw135iBmw1SeriesBmw1SeriesCoupeBmw1SeriesTiiultimate speed comparisonUltimateSpeedComparisonSat, 21 Mar 2009 12:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumormill: BMW 135i "SuperSports" model coming in 2010]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/05/rumormill-bmw-135i-supersports-model-coming-in-2010/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/05/rumormill-bmw-135i-supersports-model-coming-in-2010/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/05/rumormill-bmw-135i-supersports-model-coming-in-2010/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


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.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>123D128i135iBimmerbmwbmw 1bmw 1 seriesbmw 1 series tiibmw 1-seriesbmw 1-series coupebmw 135ibmw 135i supersportsbmw m1Bmw1Bmw1-seriesBmw1-seriesCoupeBmw135iBmw135iSupersportsBmw1SeriesBmw1SeriesTiiBmwM1Mon, 05 Jan 2009 10:26:00 EST<![CDATA[BMW could be developing 1-Series "Shooting Brake" wagon]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/25/bmw-could-be-developing-1-series-shooting-brake-wagon/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/25/bmw-could-be-developing-1-series-shooting-brake-wagon/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/25/bmw-could-be-developing-1-series-shooting-brake-wagon/#commentsFiled under: , ,



BMW's 1 Series is stuck between a rock and a hard place, neatly slotting in between BMW's perennial best-selling 3-series and the FWD wunderkind, MINI. Loaded-up Coopers pass the $30K mark with ease and the base 3-Series model starts in the same neighborhood. This doesn't leave much wiggle room with the 1 Series, but BMW is looking to make the most of what little extra market share is available. One segment that the Bavarian automaker is looking to explore is the "shooting brake" body style (think 2-door wagon) that would add a dose of practicality to the small coupe in the form of a rear hatch.

This type of vehicle has historically fared rather poorly in the style-conscious United States, but Europeans seem more apt to choose practical hatch-like styles, so we'd expect the new model to debut across the pond for sure. BMW is expected to launch a new version of its entry-level model that will be larger and offer downsized engines with direct injection and forced induction burning both gasoline and diesel fuel.

[Source: Auto Bild via Motor Authority]

BMW could be developing 1-Series "Shooting Brake" wagon originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 25 Nov 2008 13:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bmwbmw 1bmw 1 seriesbmw 1-seriesbmw 1-series coupebmw shooting brakeBmw1Bmw1-seriesBmw1-seriesCoupeBmw1SeriesBmwShootingBrakeshooting brakeShootingBrakeTue, 25 Nov 2008 13:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Marketing 101: Make stuff up, make it visible - BMW's subtle 1-Series shilling]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/13/marketing-101-make-stuff-up-make-it-visible-bmws-subtle-1-s/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/13/marketing-101-make-stuff-up-make-it-visible-bmws-subtle-1-s/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/13/marketing-101-make-stuff-up-make-it-visible-bmws-subtle-1-s/#commentsFiled under: , ,





Marketing campaigns are always in search of a new hook, and BMW's gotten creative to help keep the 1-Series on boil. Readers of the March 24th edition of Autoweek were treated to a smattering of tiny-Roundel factoids at the bottom of the mag's pages. Some of them might be true, while others seem entirely made up. The hard facts are naturally spot-on, but subjective impressions like back seat comfort, desirability, and a link to the 2002 are all tenuous at best. The effort is charming in its cleverness, even if we're not entirely sold on the idea that we're going to regret it if we neglect to buy a 1-Series.

[Source: AutoInsane.com]

Marketing 101: Make stuff up, make it visible - BMW's subtle 1-Series shilling originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 13 Apr 2008 10:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1 series1 series marketing1Series1SeriesMarketingautoweekbmw 1bmw 1 seriesbmw 1-seriesbmw 1-series convert...bmw 1-series coupebmw 1-series tiibmw 128ibmw 135ibmw marketingBmw1Bmw1-seriesBmw1-seriesConvert...Bmw1-seriesCoupeBmw1-seriesTiiBmw128iBmw135iBmw1SeriesBmwMarketingSun, 13 Apr 2008 10:47:00 EST<![CDATA[Rampenfest to rock mythical town of Oberpfaffelbachen for literal launch of BMW 1-Series]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/24/rampenfest-to-rock-mythical-town-of-oberpfaffelbachen-for-litera/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/24/rampenfest-to-rock-mythical-town-of-oberpfaffelbachen-for-litera/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/24/rampenfest-to-rock-mythical-town-of-oberpfaffelbachen-for-litera/#commentsFiled under: , ,


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.

Gallery: Rampfest


Gallery: BMW 1-Series Coupe


[Source: Oberpfafelbachen via Jalopnik]

Rampenfest to rock mythical town of Oberpfaffelbachen for literal launch of BMW 1-Series originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 24 Mar 2008 20:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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