1 series coupe official pics leaked

[m7ammed]

http://blog.worldcarfans.com/index.cfm/8070628.002/bmw-1-series-coupe-leaked

I like it ... its going to be nuts to drive

 

[Swift]

Yep, that's been out for a bit. The information I mean.

http://www.caranddriver.com/features/13093/breaking-news.html

 

[JCE]

Awsome looking thing. I can only imagine if they were to do the M treatment to it. Could you imagine this car with 300bhp or so? Brlliant.

 

[Wolfe]

Awsome looking thing. I can only imagine if they were to do the M treatment to it. Could you imagine this car with 300bhp or so? Brlliant.

Actually, there will likely be a 135i, with the N54 and all.

Don't count on it being an "M1," though.

 

[The Vanishing Boy]

-> Too bad that BMW NA won't bring either the hatches and the diesels over here, but a 135i M-Sport package would a nice concideration. It's starting to grow over me.

-> But I wonder:

2008 BMW 135i M-Sport Coupe:

1995 Hyundai Elantra Sedan:

^ The rear-end was a little bit of a let down there.

 

[Pebb]

It still looks ugly from the side.

 

[YSSMAN]

We needs a full-size photo:

After reading about the information, I'm left scratching my head. I can't understand why BMW is sticking all of the 3-series powerplants in the 1-series, which at least from where I'm standing, defeats the purpose of the 3-series (in terms of performance) completely.

If they can sell me one for a cheap price (well under $30K) with the "standard" 3.0L I6 and a stick, I'd be happy. But the chances of that actually happening seem to be slim to none. But, we've got more than six months until the car comes to the US anyway...

 

[Wolfe]

E87(?) 1-series Coupe
Wheelbase: 2660mm
Length: 4360mm
Width: 1751mm
Height: 1430mm

E30 3-series Coupe
Wheelbase: 2570mm
Length: 4325mm
Width: 1645mm
Height: 1380mm

And, just for comparison...

E90 3-series Coupe
Wheelbase: 2760mm (!)
Length: 4580mm (!!)
Width: 1782mm
Height: 1395mm

 

[ND4SPD]

I'd rock that 1 series anyday. As Wolfe noted, it reminds me of a modern day E30. The E30 happens to be one of my favourite BMW models out there! Now if the 135i comes with the 335's 300hp tt engine, then this thing will fly!

 

[YSSMAN]

It does, and I believe they're quoting performance figures mirroring that of tested 335i models... Which probably means the 135i will be faster.

The sweet spot will be the N/A models, at least in my opinion. If they can offer it with some kind of M-Sport package for a decent price, it would be one helluva deal.

 

[Sage]

I would probably adore this car if it didn’t look like horse manure. *Sigh*

 

[TopHat]

It'll look better in person. Just like every BMW.

 

[inferno]

what the heck are you people talking about!? that side profile shot looks awsome!

It's about time we had a rear wheel drive car in this size segment again, and with 300 hp (and remember the 335's engine is underrated) this thing is gonna go.

 

[harrytuttle]

I'd buy a 135i. It looks like a lot of fun. Small, rear-drive, and faster than a 335i. It looks...okay. Not spectacular, but better than most recent BMW's (like the "revised" 6-series). The proportions work for me, as do looking at it from any 3/4 angle. The large panels are a bit too busy, as are most new German cars these days.

Hard to beat the E30 M3, though, for a BMW of that size.

 

[Omnis]

The difference is that the E30 is an angular car, whereas the new 1-series looks like a frustrated bubble.

 

[Wolfe]

Hard to beat the E30 M3, though, for a BMW of that size.

Indeed.

E30 M3 = ~2700lbs
E87(?) 135i = ~3200lbs? More?

 

[The Vanishing Boy]

-> I really do hope that BMW NA could bring over the 3 or 5-door, the coupe is nice and all, but coupes are bland (they're everywhere here in the US) and impractical (teeny trunks). Looks like I have to go with the Golf/Rabbit R32.

 

[Gashlycrumb]

I want one! I used to love my old E30 325i Coupe. The new 3 Series is far too heavy to have any real fun without risking your licence. I wonder if it will fit the 195 x 16 tyres I had on my old coupe..oversteer ahoy!

I don't care what it looks like on the outside, if it is as much fun as my old E30 I'll be too busy driving it (where I can't see it anyway)!

 

[harrytuttle]

The difference is that the E30 is an angular car, whereas the new 1-series looks like a frustrated bubble.

Yeah, but I like both, for those respective reasons. Both have issues with their own designs, but I think they kind of work. Maybe I just like small cars too much.

 

[Leonidae]

I'll rather have 135i 3-door Hatch..

 

[Tornado]

I'm saddened that they didn't fix the awful door surfaces, but it looks otherwise to be a marked improvement over the hatch.
More news from Autozine:

[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]BMW 1-Series Coupe [/FONT] [SIZE=-1]

The 1-Series Coupe is perhaps the worst kept secret in the industry. From the beginning BMW said it would produce the 1-Series in 2-door coupe and cabriolet form in addition to the 5-door and 3-door. The 2-door will also be the only 1-Series for sale in the North America, as demand for hatchbacks is relatively low there. After waiting for 3 years, American motorists are finally seeing the 1-Series Coupe. As shown by these official pictures, the Coupe looks rather like a 3-Series with narrower body and shorter tail. From A-pillar forward it is the same as the 1-Series hatchback, albeit with sportier bumper intakes and lip spoilers for the range topper 135i as shown in these pictures. The strange convex-concave surfaces around the door sills remain there, unfortunately.
[/SIZE][SIZE=-1]
As the main market is United States, so far the official details are available for only the US version – two models will be offered, 128i is powered by the US-spec 3.0-liter magnesium block inline-6 with Valvetronic and pumps out 230hp (as in the current 328i for the US market). 135i i[/SIZE][SIZE=-1]s powered by 335i's twin-turbo direct injection 3.0 straight-6 with 300hp and 300 lbft (Euro spec car should output 306hp and 295lbft instead). I guess the European version could include the 170hp 2.0 DI four-cylinder, 177hp 2.0 turbo diesel and new 204hp 2.0 twin-turbo diesel. As long as there is demand, any engines of the 1-Series hatchback can be used in the Coupe.
[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]Unsurprisingly, all the limelight is put on the range-topping 135i Coupe. With the powerful engine and M Sports package including stiff suspensions, 6-pot front brake calipers, 215/40 front tires and 245/35 rear tires and 18-inch alloy wheels, you can see it as a junior M3 (the name M1 is better to be reserved for the late 1970s mid-engined sports car). BMW claims 0-60 mph in 5.0 seconds, but I suspect it could do 4.8 or 4.9 seconds in the right hands, considering it is lighter than 335i. Top speed is again limited to 155 mph.

In the environmental side, the 1-Series Coupe will use "Efficient Dynamics" technologies like other 1-Series family members, such as regenerative braking and on-demand engine oil and water pumps.[/SIZE]

Linky.

I do have a main question, though: What, exactly, is the point of the Beamer M Coupe now that this has been announced? The M Coupe will probably be heavier and slower (and uglier), and the only advantage I can see is that it will have wider tires.

 

[TopHat]

The M Coupe has no Rear seats, more expensive. Also, how is the M Coupe lighter. Also the Z4 Coupe is gorgeous.

 

[YSSMAN]

The more and more I read about the car, the less and less convinced I am that it is all a good idea. Literally stealing, and I mean STEALING the engine/tranny combos out of the 3-series really just doesn't bode well for me. Quite frankly, it just doesn't make a whole lot of sense.

I mean, BMW wants to sell 3-series coupes, right? I'm beginning to have my doubts...

The whole success/failure nature of the car all depends on pricing, and that is indeed a tough question to answer. I shall attempt to make some sense in pricing based on some rough calculations:

- 130i M-Sport 3dr: £26,385
- 330i M-Sport Coupe: £34,230
(whatcar.co.uk used for pricing)

Roughly a 33% increase between similar models with similar trim. Lets apply that to the US market cars:

- 328i: $35,300
- 128i: $27,181

- 335i: $40,800
- 135i: $31,460
(Edmunds.com used for pricing)

===

We'll see I guess. The 1-series is clearly knee-deep in 3-series territory in terms of pricing, and I find it somewhat difficult to believe that they will allow for the car to step on big-sister's toes.

 

[Wolfe]

You have a point, but it seems BMW is committed to bringing back the small car the 3-series used to be, and won't settle for conspicuously compromising it just because it doesn't have the historic 3-series name, Cayman-style (although the slower-than-expected 0-60 time of the 135i kinda says otherwise).

 

[YSSMAN]

BMW says 5.5 seconds, which I'd say is low-balling it significantly. Considering that the "full-size" 335i does it in nearly 5.0 seconds flat, given the weight advantage of the 135i, 4.7-4.9 seconds seems like a reasonable guess.

Non 3-series name or not, it isn't as though they won't sell in the US (it will be the only car in it's segment), its just tough seeing how they are going to squeeze out the sales given the whole situation. IMO, if they were going to make the 1-series a decent upstart model, they'd be packing a diesel or some other low-output six as the base engine for cheapies like me, allowing for a progressive slide north to the projected $30-40K range for well-equipped 135i models.

If this is supposed to do damage to the Volvo C30 and Audi A3, they're going to need to cut the price just a bit more to make the BMW an attractive deal to me.

Because at that price, you're sitting smack dab in the middle of Mustang, Camaro, Challenger, 350Z territory.

...However, it does make you wonder just what Mercedes will do to compete against the car in the US...

 

[Wolfe]

I think they should grow up and just offer the 4-cylinder engines with the 1-series here.

That would allow them to price it more competitively, and why worry about image when the internet has made it possible for anyone with half a brain to figure out that you still sell 4-cylinder cars in your home market and elsewhere anyway?

If the TT and A3 2.0T can sell, the 118i could sell. Probably moreso with the only RWD in its class.

 

[ExigeEvan]

Wait, why did they get rid of the 3 series compact again ?

 

[///M-Spec]

I do have a main question, though: What, exactly, is the point of the Beamer M Coupe now that this has been announced? The M Coupe will probably be heavier and slower (and uglier), and the only advantage I can see is that it will have wider tires.

The 1er will most likely cannibalize sales of the Z4 Coupe and M Coupe-- and given sales aren't great to begin with; probably hasten its departure.

The M Coupe weighs 3,220 lbs. The 135i will likely weigh the same or more, due to the N54's weight (the turbo has an almost 150 lb. weight penalty over the NA motors)

The M Coupe has an LSD. Wider tires as you mentioned. Both the Z4 and M Coupe are lower and therefore has a slightly lower center of gravity. Z4s are low slung and feel racier than an up-right sedan or coupe.

But the truth of the matter is the 135i M Sport will most likely offer almost the same or better performance than the M Coupe. And because the front suspension on the 1er is a double-pivot strut (like the E90 3-series), it will probably handle better. And since it's a turbo, 380-400 hp 135s will soon be common place. The 1er will probably also cause a surge in Bimmer aftermarket LSD sales.

The 1er will also cannibalize sales of the 3er to a certain extent; though probably not as much as people might think. Enthusiasts will embrace the 135i, but the 335i will continue to do well for the same reason BMW can sell the 6-series when the 3-series Coupe is a 90 percentile 6 for 60% the cost.

This is because the target market for the 3er is more broad than a Z4 Coupe buyer. Driving enthusiasts who are the core Z4 Coupe buyers will see the weight and simplicity advantage of the 1er as a big selling point, while with the 3er buyers, you will get a lot of people who are looking for something else; more room, refinement, better equipment, nicer interior, more 'grown up' styling and character, etc.

In fact, the 3er now clearly occupies the same position as the 5er used to. There are many people who dislike recent 3s because of their size and cost. But when you put the 3 into its new context (ie a successor to the 5), it becomes quite a bargain.


M