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      02-12-2011, 01:18 PM   #1
SCOTT26
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Next Generation of 1-series - Hatchback, Coupe, Convertible and more...

I have Seen the future.... and it is .....Compact....And it works....


BMW 1er Gran Coupe Sports Sedan

- Demand for a four door in the important US Market
- Could be built in Spartanburg
- A more sporting approach without intercepting important euro fleet market for lower engined BMW 3er models.

- Rear wheel Drive
- Unique styling Concept from the sporthatch.
- Returns to the formula of the classic BMW Sports sedan.


The European fleet market for BMW is a tightly contested market that is dominated by the lower BMW 320d and BMW 520d models.
This is one reason why BMW have not sought to introduce a 1er based sedan in light of the 1er being proved to be too small with fleets resorting to the C-Klasse and A4 Audi.
With demand for a 1er that can fit within the important US Market , The world of a premium sporthatch does not fit as the premium BMW will charge for the Sporthatch in the US will not make the 1er competitive with the relevant VW Golf.
One solution is to introduce a four door 1er but under the disguise of a four door Coupe in the mold of the BMW 6er Gran Coupe - Giving it a sleeker appearance and a more niche market. Based on the 1er the car will retain Rear Wheel drive and offer the more performance-led diesel and petrol four cylinder turbo charged family.
Designed to emulate the classic RWD BMW Sports sedan , small compact but instantly recognisable.
One option could be to manufacture the car in the US.


BMW 1er Shooting Brake

- Reinterpeting the design of the 1600/2002 Touring shape
- Performance led Style concept
- Rear Wheel Drive
- 2dr (3dr with hatch)


Another option for the 1er is to further emulate the classic historic 1600/2002 models and introduce a compact based Shooting Brake Touring styled in the form of the classic BMW 1600/2002 Touring with it's almost streamlined wedge-like shape.



The Payoff of an Uncharted Territory - F2x Hatchbacks

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Although the BMW X3 was the first out of the gate using the latest architecture that will be found under the 1er and 3er.
The Premium Compact expansion begins with the next generation BMW 1er Sporthatch which you will see in a couple of months time.
Using and evolutionary styling approach , the new 1er follows the X3 and "Reverse Engineers" the original concept enhancing what worked and re-evaluating what didnt work. Rear space which was a contributory factor to the E87 is now improved as is cabin materials.
The new 1er retains that individual C-Segment typical hatch shape which defined BMW as a major competitor in the compact segment with the 1er being the drivers choice. Launched almost simultaneously with the 5dr Sporthatch is the 3dr Sporthatch , the option for the 1er driver who had no need for 5drs, this time the 3dr Sporthatch will live up to it's appearance with a more sport orientated model overlooked in face of the Coupe reincarnating BMW's classic Tii label with turbocharged four cylinder power to produce for the first time a competitor for the VW Golf GTi ,
although those who need the extra doors will also get to play with a relative 5dr.

In Early 2012 , The first details of the BMW M-Sport Packet for the 1er will be announced again offering enhancement and not distraction.

With the 1er and 3er being the two signifcant volume models introduced by BMW in 2011, the 1er will open the mid-year whilst the 3er will end the year.

F2x 1er Coupe and Convertible

Given the establishment period of the 1er from 2004 - 2007 which allowed BMW to push ahead and emulate the leading profit segment of the 3er with additional concepts. In which 2007 introduced the 1er Sporthatch and of course the 1er Coupe and Cabrio which also allowed BMW to introduce the 1er to the North American market in a more appealing form.

The 1er Coupe and Cabrio has shown that Premium compacts do work and especially in the North American market. To which if you look at what BMW's competitors are currently involving themselves in is more Premium Compact concepts, especially after seeing how BMW have established a market for these models which after the 3er is BMW's most profitable line-up. Given the time from Sporthatch to Coupe did not give BMW much time to become more adventurous with the appearance mainly due to the first step into a new segment with the E87 1er in which all BMWs entering a new segment have an establishment period of 2-3 years to determine if the intergration has been successful.

The next Coupe and Cabrio allows BMW to instigate a more classic yet modern approach of it's present day incarnation of the typical 2dr BMW RWD Concept starting from the 2002,E21 and E30 3er but returning in the E82 1er Coupe. The Coupe and Cabrio become more adventurous from the F20 hatch it allows them to form their own identity but keep the propotions and that classic look which has made the E82 an enthusiasts car and a much loved one at that. With the model line up refelecting today's choices and
Engine choices for the new Coupe and Cabrio will emulate the Sporthatch and offer more performance and efficiency with less cylinders .
The next Cabrio will carry over that straight forward clean appearance of the current car with the new design but will retain it's quick and lightweight soft top roof as 1er customers are deemed to be very happy with the simple function of the folding soft-top.

The current discussion especially for the 1er Coupe and Cabrio models is to reclassify them as a BMW 2er in light of the FWD 1er models to avoid confusion.
Although the FWD models will inherit f Drive to classify them with the Sporthatches inheriting sDrive.


BMW see the growth of the Premium Compact and Premium Entry Segments paramount to their target of 2 million units by 2020 in which unit sales will be determined by the MINI Brand /BMW FWD vehicles and the Premium Compact and Premium Entry vehicles.
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