BMW 1-Series coupé is go
Lighter, driver-focused M3 successor brewing
There's going to be a more driver-focused, coupé version of the BMW 1-Series. The hatch and rear doors will go, and the engine will be replaced by a version of the high-revving 2.0-litre four-pot mill that's about to find its way into the 320si that we reported on last week (see link below).
It could be badged as the 120si, according to Autocar, and would be what the magazine called a spiritual successor to the original 200bhp 2.3-litre M3, on the grounds that the M3 has headed so far upmarket -- 343bhp and a starting price of £41,875 -- that there's room for a lighter, more focused vehicle.
The replacement of a bulkhead for the hatch means the chassis will be stiffer -- that's a good thing for handling and dynamics. It's also a good thing for BMW's plan to sell it in the US, where hatchbacks don't go down well, especially from premium manufacturers such as BMW.
And while the putative 120si has been given the green light for production, it's also possible that BMW could plug the 130i's engine into the coupé -- a lightweight 265bhp straight-six would probably suit it well.
Its looks are a bit better then the 5 door, so I like this one(3) more and its a bit leighter too, put that with a 343hp engine out the M3 and you've got a fine car, a girlfriend of mine has a black high executive one and its realy a nice car also the styling, go to the bmw shop and look good at it, and it sells good I think.
GTRene
>> Edited by GTRene on Wednesday 30th November 17:42
From what I understand, BMW have always planned to spin the 1er off into 3-door, coupe, and cabrio bodystyles.
If there is a God, He will hear my prayers and deliver us a 1-series coupe with a pert, wedgy notchback rear.
Amen.
ubergreg said:
That 3-door is much, MUCH nicer than the hideous-looking, saggy-arsed, poorly-packaged 5-door.
From what I understand, BMW have always planned to spin the 1er off into 3-door, coupe, and cabrio bodystyles.
If there is a God, He will hear my prayers and deliver us a 1-series coupe with a pert, wedgy notchback rear.
Amen.
So without the rear doors it makes it look totally different from the 'hideous-looking, saggy-arsed, poorly-packaged 5-door'. Maybe you meant: 'Look the hideous-looking, saggy-arsed, poorly-packaged 3-door is as ugly as the hideous-looking, saggy-arsed, poorly-packaged 5-door'. perhaps
dezza87 said:
So without the rear doors it makes it look totally different from the 'hideous-looking, saggy-arsed, poorly-packaged 5-door'. Maybe you meant: 'Look the hideous-looking, saggy-arsed, poorly-packaged 3-door is as ugly as the hideous-looking, saggy-arsed, poorly-packaged 5-door'. perhaps
Nah. The 3-door isn't pretty, but not nearly as nasty as the 5-door (at least to me - aesthetics being the subjective thing that it is). Plus the 5-door gives the false pretense of having adequate room in the back for adults. Which, compared to it's cheaper, better-equipped competitors, it doesn't (what family with small kids would spend 20 large on this?). I like Bimmers, but I hate cynical, poor-value product offerings. At least with a 3-door there's no serious expectation of regularly carrying three or four-up, correct?.
In any case, I eagerly await the coupe. Should be very fine...
ubergreg said:
dezza87 said:
So without the rear doors it makes it look totally different from the 'hideous-looking, saggy-arsed, poorly-packaged 5-door'. Maybe you meant: 'Look the hideous-looking, saggy-arsed, poorly-packaged 3-door is as ugly as the hideous-looking, saggy-arsed, poorly-packaged 5-door'. perhaps
Nah. The 3-door isn't pretty, but not nearly as nasty as the 5-door (at least to me - aesthetics being the subjective thing that it is). Plus the 5-door gives the false pretense of having adequate room in the back for adults. Which, compared to it's cheaper, better-equipped competitors, it doesn't (what family with small kids would spend 20 large on this?). I like Bimmers, but I hate cynical, poor-value product offerings. At least with a 3-door there's no serious expectation of regularly carrying three or four-up, correct?.
In any case, I eagerly await the coupe. Should be very fine...
fair point there ubergreg but I dont think that BMW will manage to make this car look pretty because nothing about it is.
As for spending 20k on it sod that I would rather pick up the new Focus ST for that with some money left but alas that is a different thread all together.
dezza87 said:
fair point there ubergreg but I dont think that BMW will manage to make this car look pretty because nothing about it is.
As for spending 20k on it sod that I would rather pick up the new Focus ST for that with some money left but alas that is a different thread all together.
Alas the cynic in me begrudingly agrees with you that the 1er is fundamentally flawed, aesthetically. I think I’m suffering from ‘bloat fatigue’ after seeing so many formerly svelte models baloon in size.
But a man can hope for at least some more fetching proportions from the coupe, can’t he? Maybe they will be as sucessful with the 1-series coupe as they have with the Z4 coupe?
And not meaning to change the topic either, but that new Focus ST rocks my world - no question.
>> Edited by ubergreg on Wednesday 30th November 15:42
I really did like the sound effects on that Focus on TV though. Why don't they resurect XR3i though and do a special "Essex" edition though?
I really did like the sound effects on that Focus on TV though. Why don't they resurect XR3i though and do a special "Essex" edition though?
If it was leaked (or even "official" ) I'm suprised that BMW have produced such glamour (press) shots of a model that is not expected till end 2007 / 2008 ?
>> Edited by danp on Sunday 4th December 07:34
>> Edited by danp on Sunday 4th December 07:35
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