BMW Lets 1-Series Microsite Loose

Ducati Minor October 17th, 2007 4:04 PM Link

Nice.

Clint October 17th, 2007 5:21 PM Link

I’m predicting BMW has got a hit on their hands with the 1-Series in the US. Consider the following:

- BMW sells truckloads of 3-Series in the US, making it the Honda Civic of junior executives across the land.
- BMW designs 1-Series car that looks the same, except is smaller and cheaper.
- BMW executives rejoice upon realization that smaller size means more cars can fit on each truck, optimizing truckload-to-sales ratio.
- People who work for junior executives rejoice, because now they can afford to buy a BMW and feel special too.

It’s a great Starbucks strategy of making the common man feel like he’s living in luxury. Here’s hoping it fares better than past BMW and Mercedes downmarket attempts. It doesn’t have an annoyingly convenient hatchback though, so the Germans are finally using their cold logic to figure out the illogical American consumer.

FPF422 October 17th, 2007 5:41 PM Link

But why choosing those “big” engines which will almost kill it for Europe (taxes, insurance,…)

Eric October 17th, 2007 10:19 PM Link

They chose big engines because they are bricks; 3400+lbs for the 135i. That’s 800lbs more than than my 1991 3 series. They just keep packing on the pounds.

skdenfeld October 17th, 2007 11:43 PM Link

I’m quite certain they offer smaller petrol engines as well as a diesel option in Europe. Only us excessive Americans want the bigger motors. Hurray for us! Bring on the 135i. I’m ready.

kafkef October 18th, 2007 7:19 AM Link

a 135i CSL would be sick. too bad they don’t exist

maybe carbonfiber roof, bonnet & bootlid, lighter bodypanels, no backseats (or ones that weigh less), M-DCT.. and of course procede
not much that would be able to keep up with it.

Todd October 18th, 2007 9:25 AM Link

I’m sure BMW could have trimmed this car down to 2800lbs if they ditched the safety features, emissions, fuel economy devices, most of the comfort/convenience items and replaced the 3.0 twin turbo in favor of a 1.8 aluminum 4 cylinder. But who would buy such a thing? Let’s leave the E30 where it belongs: in the nostalgia-filled past.

I cannot wait for this car!

Sean Martin October 18th, 2007 11:14 AM Link

I’m with Todd on this one. I’m not saying the 135 will be more fun to drive than an E30 M3, but I know it will be more fun than a 318i and certainly faster than the M3. As somebody else mentioned, Europe will also have a 120d (2.0L Diesel) and 123d (2.3L Diesel) variants in addition to the 135i. We’re the only ones getting a 128i. A 4 cylinder BMW would not sell well here (see previous 318i and 318ti).

Winding Road » Archive » Engraved Ignition Buttons Mark First BMW 1-Series Cars Bound for U.S. January 20th, 2008 3:01 PM Link

[…] automaker aims for subtle cues, like what we found while crawling inside of the new U.S.-spec 1-series at the Detroit auto show. In celebrating the 1-series’ launch in America, early models will […]