The BMW 1-Series began its life back in 2004 when the 3-Series was moving up in the world and BMW needed another small family car to serve as an entry model. It started off as a 5-door hatchback, but was introduced as a 2-door coupe, a 3-door hatchback, and a convertible in 2007.
The current engine selection consists of a 3.0L I-6 producing 230hp and 200 lb-ft of torque, and a 3.0L twin turbo I-6 producing 300hp and 300 lb-ft of torque. Both engines are mated to either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission.
BMW has unveiled today the first two models in the second generation 1-Series: the Sport and Urban Line, two versions that will provide added scope for personalization using exclusive interior and exterior design features and equipment. For the new generation all the 1-Series models will be offered with new BMW TwinPower Turbo technology and also it will be the first car in the world in its segment with optional eight-speed automatic transmission.
For the new generation the 1-Series comes with increased dimensions: 85 millimeters longer, wheelbase 30 millimeters longer, front track 51 millimeters wider and rear track 72 millimeters wider that will all help the model to offer a better rear legroom. Also, new in the line-up is a 1.6-liter petrol engine with a total of 136 HP, while a 116 HP BMW 116d EfficientDynamics Edition will be launched in the near future.
Updated 06/06/2011: After revealing the first details on the new generation 1-Series this week-end, BMW has also brought a first commercial video for the new model. Enjoy.
Hit the jump to read more about the new generation BMW 1-Series.
Updated 11/04/2011: BMW has unveiled today a new video in which they explain how the new 1-Sereis is being built at its Leipzig plant. We hope you will enjoy the video!
Full story
Taking under consideration the current economical situation and all the regulations regarding CO2 emission you should expect to see car makers heading to small cars. For example BMW plans to modify the current 1-Series so that it will include a city compact, a F.A.S.T. Family Activity Sports Tourer and a Gran Turismo, while a new 2-Series model will be offered in both coupe and cabrio. Next to them the Bavarian company will also develop a Z2 and a M2 model, all of them small, but very cool sports cars.
For the next generation 1-Series BMW plans to increase the wheelbase, but also to include a significant number of features that will allow luxury options normally found in high end Premium luxury cars available in the compact class. The model will also include the next generation "Efficient Dynamics" technologies that will make it the most fuel efficient car in it’s segment.
The coupe and the cabrio version will no longer be sold as a 1-Series. Instead BMW will launch a new 2-Series model. It will feature a further progressive sporting interpretation with clean design lines. You should expect the new 2-Series to be launched in 2013.
The decision to bring a M2 model was helped by the exceptional response to the new 1er M Coupe. According to BMW, the new model will "push the envelope" for small performance cars. But the most impressive model will of course be the Z2 which it is expected to be revealed in late 2013.
BMW is rather busy preparing their lineup for the Frankfurt Motor Show this September. Apparently, they are showing up with no less than four world premiers: the M5, the M3 GTS sedan, the redesigned 1-Series, and the i3. So, if you plan on taking a trip to Germany during that period, you should definitely make a stop in Fankfurt to soak up all of the automotive goodness scheduled to appear.
While the first three models in the line-up are no surprise, the i3 will definitely steal the show. Unfortunately, it will not be a production version, but it will give us a good idea for what to expect in 2013. According to BMW, the i3 will be the world’s first volume-produced vehicle with a passenger cell made from carbon. It will feature an electric motor with an output of about 150 HP and a top speed of 100 mph. It is rumored that the i3 will have an autonomy of 160 miles.
BMW has just released some new information about the long awaited 1-Series M Coupe, including engine information, release dates, and the toys it will carry.
Under the hood will be the twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six with 340 horsepower. That motor will be connected to six-speed manual transmission. There will no automatic option with this vehicle. That motor should be more than enough to haul around the car’s 3,307-pound weight.
The M1 will feature a chassis, braking system, and rear differential similar to the M3. In total, that power and these tweaks have made the M1 faster than the E46 M3 around the Nordschleife.
UPDATE 03/10/2011: BMW has placed an online configurator for the 1-Series M Coupe, the perfect opportunity to play a bit with the options offered for this amazing car. From this configurator, we were also able to get the pricing on all of the options offered. Hit the jump to check them out in our price section.
UPDATE 07/03/2011: BMW has released a video of the 1M Coupe performing an arc drift on top of the U.S. Bank Tower. This tower stands 1,018 feet tall and is considered as the tallest building in the world with a helipad on it. Check out the video by clicking on the image above!
UPDATE 12/02/2011: Finally, someone is driving the BMW 1-Series M Coupe the way it is suppose to be driven. The only bad news is that all the action takes place in a parking mall and not at a major driving event, but it’s still a start. Hit the jump for the video!
Hit the jump to read more about the new BMW 1-Series M Coupe.
Full story
BMW is set to unveil the new generation 1-Series codenamed F20 in just a few months, so it is only natural that they release a few teaser images before that time. The first teaser image has already been revealed on the site, www.2originals.com, but it doesn’t reveal much of what the new hatchback will bring to the table.
Thankfully, we already know a little bit about the new 1-Series. The 2012 MY hatchback will be offered as a five-door first and will then be followed with other variants for the next year after that. Spy shots revealed that the new 1-Series will be built on a longer wheelbase and wider track than the current model, and that it will also be offered with new engines and improved technologies.
These are the only details BMW has allowed us to gather at the moment, but we should have more for you when the car makes its world debut in September at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show.
