New BMW 1-Series coming in 2012

Although BMW has only been selling the 1-Series on these shores for this year, it has been on the international scene since 2004. So its about time for a refresh. This is welcomed by some who have criticized the baby Bimmer for being a stub-nosed version of the 3-Series, but we instantly forgive the car because it is the closest thing BMW has given us to the model 2002 in a long time. We love the 1-Series because it combines light wight with large engines (the twin turbo 135i has performance figures close to the old M3.)

The company is now preparing the next generation 1-Series (codename F20) that will likely show up between September 2010 and March 2011. It will come with new engines and EfficientDynamics technology as standard. The international gas powerplants and trims should be as follows: 116i - 1.3 liter turbo 136 hp, 118i - 177 hp 1.3 liter turbo, 120i - 218 hp 2.0 liter turbo, 130i - 272 hp 3.0 liter, 135is - 326 hp 3.0 liter twin turbo . And diesel: 118d - 150 hp 2.0 liter turbo, 120d - 2.0 184 hp liter turbo, 123d - 211 hp 2.0 liter twin turbo.

As long as BMW mess with the 1-Series, chemistry (large engines, light weight and classic BMW handling), the new little Bimmer can show up with a pig nose in hot pink paint, and we’ll still happily drive the doors off it.