BMW hasn’t done the best job of keeping its 2012 1 Series M Coupe a secret. The hot new two-door isn’t scheduled to make its public debut until the Detroit Auto Show next month, but we’ve already seen dozens ofteaser images and videos. Heck, we’ve even driven a prototype.Now, BMW has released video of the production-ready 1M with all of its swirly paper removed. Its bulgy, brash front end and
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BMW’s best 1 Series yet, the Coupé is a noticeable presence at this year’s Melbourne International Motor Show. The two-plus-two-seater is based on the rear wheel drive 1 Series Hatch but is longer by some 121mm (4360mm). A real Coupé (Astra I’m looking at you) with a proper boot, the 1 Series is also 13mm lower that its’ hatch back cousin.
Powered by a twin-turbo 3.0 litre six cylinder petrol engine (recently voted International Engine of the Year), the 135i delivers 225kW of power and 400Nm of torque to thrust the 1,560kg Coupé from standstill to 100km/h in 5.3 seconds!
Six Pot Calipers up front and twin pot rears should see equally impressive stopping times from the claimed 250km/h top speed which incidentally has a combined fuel consumption of 9.2 litres per 100km (not yet confirmed by ADR testing).
Riding on a double-pivot tie bar strut set up in the front and multilink rear suspension in the back the 135i also features an electronic management system designed to mimic a limited-slip differential for optimal traction to the 18 inch (rear) wheels.
Pricing is expected to be between $75,000 and $85,000 when 135i Coupé goes on sale next month. There has as yet been no official decision on an M varaiant though an M Sport Pack will be available.
© Source: caradvice
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Few brands have grown more than BMW in the past 25 years. That growth can be seen in their sales figures and the vehicles themselves. Today's 335i is larger than 1986's 535i, for instance, and it certainly sells in much greater volumes. This trend toward bigger and heavier has altered the brand's lineup to the point that there's now room for a cheaper, smaller entry-level car. Stepping boldly into the gap is the 2008 BMW 1 Series.
The 1 Series already debuted in Europe earlier this decade as a four-door hatchback, but that body style's limited appeal to American shoppers prevented its journey across the pond. With the introduction of new coupe and convertible body styles, however, BMW believes the timing is right for a small car revival.
With their compact two-door bodies, high-performance engines and scalpel-sharp handling, the 2008 BMW 128i and 135i are arguably the spiritual successors to BMW's classic 2002 coupe. Yet the 1 Series features many of the modern high-tech and luxury features that have become just as much a part of BMW during this decade as the raw driving experience. Some features like active steering and navigation with iDrive are dubious in terms of value, while others like keyless ignition/entry, premium hi-fi stereo and the convertible's heat-reflective leather seating are welcome niceties in a small car.
The 1 Series coupe is 8.7 inches shorter than a 3 Series coupe and a bit narrower as well. Though its front engine, rear-wheel-drive configuration is pretty unpopular in this size category because of its lack of space efficiency, BMW reckons its layout has unique appeal to people who care more about driving than carrying passengers. As such, the 1 Series comes with the same engines as the 3 Series: a 3.0-liter, 230-horsepower straight-6 for the 128i and a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter six good for 300 hp in the 135i.
Considering its $30,000-plus price tag and its rear-wheel-drive layout, this is a coupe and convertible without any real apples-to-apples competitors. Potential rivals are either too big (Infiniti G37), have front-wheel drive (VW Eos), are too mechanically different (Mazda RX-8) or are more an unrefined muscle car (Ford Mustang GT) than a finely balanced sport coupe/convertible. Plus, with its tiny backseat, the 1 Series toes a very fine line between usable four-seat coupe and a 2+2 sports touring car like an Audi TT.
© Source: edmunds
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