Spy Shots: BMW 1-Series Coupe
Posted May 24th 2007 8:03AM by Chris Shunk
Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupes, BMW

Young fans of the Bavarian Motor Werks have been pining for something more affordable than a 3-series, and the 1-series has been teasing from afar for too long. The folks over at 1Addicts assembled a bunch of picks of a thinly-disguised 1-Series coupe in testing, and we think the newest developments look quite encouraging. The 1-Series in these photos looks to be nearly ready for production, as the only heavy-duty camo resides on the bumpers. Large-rimmed tires fit into the wheel well quite snugly, and BMW's Mighty Mouse is sitting very low to the ground, leading us to believe that this could very well be the 135i, which would seriously scream with BMW's 300 HP, twin-turbo International Engine of the Year.

With a full slate of models, including a coupe, hatch, convertible, and high-powered sport model, the 1-series arrives in the US with the potential to make BMW the number one selling luxury maker in the world's most important market. We're looking forward to taking this little spark plug for a spin when it hits North America in 2008. Seriously, if we even dare imagine how much fun this Mini-sized RWD coupe is to drive, we'd lose sleep.

Thanks for the tip, Alfredo!

Description

(May 2007) BMW: 1-Series arrives in 2008 (Automotive News)
WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J. -- BMW's subcompact 1-Series will come to the United States next year, BMW of North America's top executive says. CEO Tom Purves says a two-door coupe will be on sale here in 2008.
He declined to give a timetable. He says BMW has never backed away from bringing the 1 series to the United States despite exchange rate pressure. The weak dollar relative to the euro forces European importers to choose between higher prices and lower margins. "We can deal with it," Purves says.

He would not deny that a convertible also will come to the United States.
For years, BMW would not say when it would launch the 1 series in the United States. A hatchback version went on sale in Europe in 2003. The five-door was freshened this year and shown at the Geneva auto show.
The newest model features technologies such as regenerative braking and an automatic stop-start function that turns the engine off in situations such as red lights.

Pricing isn't known, but the 1 series likely will start below the 3 series.

Background

Development of entry BMW continues; -referred to a 1-Series (in Europe) with launch delayed in the U.S. market. Note that BMW's naming scheme for the U.S. has not been confirmed. Reports indicate that the new entry is being developed in sedan form (expected to be called 1-Series); with coupe and convertible bodystyles also being developed. Note that the coupe and convertible may be called 2-Series in the U.S.

After its divestiture of Rover cars in March of 2000CY, BMW formally confirmed that it would develop its own line of cars, under the BMW badge, "for the upper end of the lower midsize segment". The car is positioned below the existing 3-Series Compact, and is priced lower. This new entry-level car for BMW, dubbed 1-series, will spawn a few body-style variants like its upper sibling 3-Series - it is intended to be a high volume seller in the sub-luxury class, aimed at high-selling Audi A3.
At 4.23m, the 1-Series is 24 centimeters shorter than the 3-Series. However a relatively long wheelbase of 2.66m is required due to the longitudinal engine, rear drive setup. Although the wheelbase 1-Series is 8cm longer than the front-drive, transverse-engined Volkswagen Golf, rear passenger space is limited. Overall width is 1.75m and overall height is 1.42m.

The 1-Series is aimed at a younger demographic seeking an upscale premium car, who are new to the BMW brand. The 1-Series 5D hatchback (E87) debuted at the 2004 Paris Motor Show and went on sale in September 2004CY. Following up the 5D Hatchback is a sporty 3D Hatchback model (E81), due in the 3rd Quarter of 2006CY for the European market.

BMW originally backed away from a firm commitment to launch the 1-Series in the important U.S. market. Due to the strength of the EURO against the U.S. dollar, BMW's already thin margins on the 1-Series were seriously eroded in market projections. As a result, BMW originally chose to take a "wait and see" approach with the U.S. market. Originally, BMW had looked at a version of the European market 5D Hatchback for the U.S. market, but the plan was quickly shot down, as BMW has not had a good history with hatchback models (specifically the old 3-Series Compact hatch).
A Sedan variant was in early development as the launch model for the U.S. market (where sedans are more popular than hatchbacks) - however BMW of North America wants all 1-Series and 1-Series derived vehicles for the U.S. market to be equipped with 6-cylinder powerplants.

The Sedan was slated to join the 1-Series lineup in the 3rd Quarter of 2007CY in the European market, and following in the 4th Quarter for the U.S. Market. The Sedan version is hardly as important as the hatchbacks in Europe, and was not expected to generate large European sales. The Sedan was largely aimed at the U.S. market, where hatchbacks are low in popularity.

As originally conceived, the 1-Series Sedan would actually be longer, and have a slightly longer wheelbase than its hatchback siblings. This slight increase in size was mainly aimed at the U.S. market consumer, who generally expects better legroom and overall interior space.

However in Summer of 2005CY, BMW underwent a major strategy change, canceling plans for the Sedan and a Wagon model (based on the same larger wheelbase of the Sedan) that was also under early development. Numerous factors went into this decision. The major factor was that BMW felt that the larger size of the Sedan and Wagon could impact sales of the larger 3-Series Sedan and Wagon models - this was a concern shared by both BMW's North American Sales arm, as well as headquarters in Germany. In addition, a 1-Series Sedan was not seen as having strong sales potential in the European market, where small hatchbacks are significantly more popular.



2008 MY
BMW will continue to focus on development of a Coupe model (E82) as well as a Convertible (E88) that are both based on the 1-Series platform and mechanicals. In addition, an on-again, off-again strategy to rename the Coupe and Convertible models “2-Series” is now on-again.

Part of the strategy with the naming of the models is to appeal to the deep heritage and popularity of the old BMW 2002 model 2 door models, particularly in the U.S. market. BMW believes that tapping this vein of popularity will help ensure a strong launch for an all-new smaller 2-Series range in the U.S. market.

In addition, BMW was encouraged by the strong launch of the higher-end BMW 6-Series Coupe and Convertible models, and wishes to replicate the success in a smaller, lower priced model.

Styling of both the Coupe and Convertible models were largely previewed by the BMW CS1 Convertible Concept that was first shown at the 2002 Geneva Motor Show. BMW’s “flame surfacing” theme, with concave and convex lines merging to produce a unique surface effect carries over to the 2-Series. In fact sources indicate that the front end of the Production version is little-changed, except for smaller, more stylistically rendered headlamps, and a flatter BMW kidney grille. The rear end is largely unchanged from the concept.

In a shift of strategy, BMW will first launch the Convertible model first in the late Q1 2008CY, for the 2008MY in the U.S. Market, followed by the Coupe a few months later. The Convertible will feature a powered retractable cloth top. A folding hard top was initially investigated, but was quickly abandoned, due to cost and weight issues.

The 2-Series will share powertrains with the European Market 1-Series range. The lineup will include a Valvetronic 24V Inline 6-cylinder powerplant that produces 265hp. Several months after launch, BMW will expand its petrol engine lineup at the top end with the addition of a Twin-Turbocharged 3.0L Direct Injection Inline 6-cylinder petrol powerplant. Although the same engine is also found in the 3-Series 335i model (producing 306PS), the engine in the 1-Series will reportedly be detuned to about 290PS. The engine features BMW's Piezo Petrol Direct Injection technology. BMW's long-rumored ZSG double-clutch transmission (similar to the Volkswagen group's DSG in operation), is likely to be optionally available with this engine as well.

All models will come with Dynamic Stability Control with Dynamic Traction Control, 6 airbags, Brake Force Display function for tail lamps, and run-flat tires with Tire Puncture Warning System.

Similar to the facelifted 1-Series, the new 2-Series makes use of 3 major fuel saving technologies.

The first is Brake Energy Regeneration (iGR), which utilizes an Intelligent Alternator Control (IAC) and an Absorbent Glass Mat battery to recycle energy that was previously lost by the vehicle’s rolling wheels. The IAC reduces drag on the engine by engaging only when required to charge the battery – conventional alternators always draw power from the engine. The battery also charges on situations of engine over-run, such as under-braking or descending a hill. BMW claims a 3% fuel savings with iGR.
The second system is an Automatic Start-Stop function, which is standard on most manual transmission models. The Start-Stop function automatically turns the engine off when the vehicle is stationary and the driver puts the car in neutral. When the clutch is engaged, the engine restarts. The function can also be manually switched off by the driver.

The third system is Electric Power Steering, which utilizes an electric motor to provide power assistance. BMW claims a 90% energy savings vs. a conventional mechanical hydraulic steering system.

The 2-Series suspension setup is shared with the 1-Series, including an aluminum front axle setup with McPherson struts, and a 5-link rear independent suspension. Typical BMW systems, such as Dynamic Stability Control, Dynamic Traction Control, Dynamic Brake Control and Electronic Differential Lock are expected to be standard equipment. The 2-Series will include front, front-side and side curtain airbag systems.
The 2-Series' interior is largely expected to mimic that of the 1-Series, including a push button starter, and a spartan front dash layout, with seating capacity for 4 people.

The iDrive ****-based controller system will be offered, as will be a Navigation system with pop up LCD color screen.

Other equipment will include Sport Seats with width adjustment, Bluetooth capability, front & rear parking assist, and Bi-Xenon headlamps. An optional Keyless entry card system and a voice-activated radio and navigation system will also be available.

With the tag line: "20 Cars Worth Waiting For" and the caption 2008 BMW M1 (Just kidding, it's the 135i)

The article appears too new to be on the Car and Driver website, so here's what they say about the 1-series coming stateside:

What it is: After learning the hard way that Americans don't want a hatchback BMW at any price, BMW is bringing over a coupe version of the diminutive 1-series.
Why it's important: The 1-series coupe will be BMW's entry-level model, bringing six-cylinder refinement and rear-wheel drive to a primarily front-drive segment. Also, the 300-hp 135i will be quick enough to be regarded as an M1, although BMW won't call it that.
Platform: Based on the previous generation 3-series (E46).
Powertrain: The base engine will be the 230-hp version of BMW's 3.0-liter six you'll find in the 328i, but the more sporting version will be the 135i. Packing a 300-hp twin-turbo inline-six, the 135i will weigh 300 fewer pounds than the 335i and will have a better power-to-weight ratio than the last M3. A 135i should be able to spring from 0-to-60 mph in about 4.5 seconds. Six-speed manual and automatic transmissions will be available.
Competition: Audi A3 and TT, Mazdaspeed 3, Mini Cooper S, Subaru WRX, Volkswagen GTI, Volvo C30.
What might go wrong: The styling might be a turn-off, and the 1 could steal sales from the 3-series.
Estimated arrival and cost: Spring 2008; about $25,000 for a 128i, rising to $35,000 for a 135i.

Stay tuned to Car and Driver for pics (or just open up the magazine when you get it).