[dmboone25]

Originally Posted by Robert

E82 1M will only run for 2 years, maybe 3 years max? I think I'd rather wait then jump on the E82 ship since I already owned one.

I was kind of thinking the same thing--if the 1M were out now, you could grab one and have it for a few years before the redesigned 1er comes out...

Now, if you get a 1M next summer, you will start seeing F22 coupes less than a year after your purchase...

I agree that the 1M might be outdated...and coming to the party too late.

[Absorber]

Originally Posted by MITE82

I'm sad to see that they are going this route cuz i really dislike the design for the new 5 and 7 series ... looks wider but totally hate the look of it !!!!

This.

I hate the new designs. I miss Bangle. And all these silly variants are just going to dilute the brand. A 1er Gran Turismo??? Really?

[SCOTT26]

All current cars that are being launched or about to be launched were designed when Chris Bangle was still at BMW. You will not see a Bangle-free car for a few years yet.

The core market for the 1er is Europe and Asia so the emphasis is on providing additional variants to capitalize on the demand for compact premium cars. The area which for manufacturers will be the segment that provides more growth.

The US still shows no interest in the premium compact hatch.

What customers in Europe are demanding from BMW is a BMW with more space hence why we are producing a Compactive Sport Tourer.

The US will still get the 1er Coupe and Cabrio which will debut in Late 2012 and mid 2013 respectively, This late intro is to produce last units of 1M and the BMW Electric drive programme BMW 1er Coupe eDrive .

They will also get the two Z2 models.

[JasonCSU]

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

The Z2 which has been designed @ Designworks is coming along it is a unique interpretation of a BMW Roadster. And BMW Board have also approved a Coupe Z2 because of the potential of these two concepts.

That's what I like to hear.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

Other ideas have included a Gran Coupe type four dr. A shooting Brake in both 3dr and 5dr. A Sedan has been dismissed within the European market due to BMW’s large European fleet sales which rely on lower engined 3er Sedans and Tourings.

That's very unfortunate, but I notice you do not necessarily say that there won't be a sedan at all, just not for the European market. In my opinion, for the US market, a sedan would have the biggest potential sales of all body styles. I certainly hope they consider a sedan for the US. However, if they do, I fear it would be one of the models that ends up with FWD. On the other hand, if the Gran Coupe does come to fruition as well then that would cover much of the same market and hopefully be RWD.

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

The US still shows no interest in the premium compact hatch.

You're right, I rarely see a Mini, Golf or C30 anywhere. You guys can kindly stick any GT version of any BMW where the sun doesn't shine.

Just as a test, I'd be willing to bet that 8 out of 10 actual buyers would prefer a conventional wagon over the dumb GT, who ever BMW paid for that bit of market "intelligence" must still be laughing. Let's just assume there were initial positive sales of the GT, those were only because it was available before the conventional sedan, and in markets where you can choose between the Touring and the GT, I'd suspect sales have gone flat now that the proper version is available. If some smart fellow in Mϋnchen is really riding the GT model wave, I pity any goals of actually increasing BMW sales.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

• 116i 1.6L Turbo 136 PS (din)
• 118i 1.6L Turbo 156 PS
• 120i 2.0L Turbo 184 PS
• 125i 2.0L Turbo 218 PS
• 130i 2.0L Turbo 252 PS
• 135i 3.0L Turbo 306 PS

Some of that is suspect. For example, the current Mini Prince I4 can hit 184PS itself, so I don't see why the future 1.6L could not as well. Thus, no need for a 2L with that spec. Similarly, I think the 1.5L turbo I3 will easily cover the lower spec 136PS motor.

I also have a hard time believing that the N55 3.0L turbo will not yield more power very soon. In fact, I would guess at least 325hp for the F30 3 series, and expect to see that in the F2x 1 series as wll.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by Red Bread

You're right, I rarely see a Mini, Golf or C30 anywhere.

The Golf and Mini are very common, yes. However, those aren't necessarily in the premium segment that I believe he is referring to. The Audi A3 and Volvo C30 would be the closest comparisons, and those are not exactly burning up the sales charts. Unfortunate, to be sure. But its just not what people are buying.

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

The Golf and Mini are very common, yes. However, those aren't necessarily in the premium segment that I believe he is referring to. The Audi A3 and Volvo C30 would be the closest comparisons, and those are not exactly burning up the sales charts. Unfortunate, to be sure. But its just not what people are buying.

I agree that the A3 doesn't sell well, but it's also an old design, and a five door only for the US, and it has stupid drivetrain options, like no manual with quattro, and it's the handicapped Haldex version of quattro anyway. The C30 seems quite popular here, and I see more of them than I do 1ers. It's not that hard to option a Mini well over $30k, so I'm not sure how it misses out on being part of the premium market, but I can concede that.

I'm just not convinced that BMW's idea of selling the US dumbed down versions of proper wagons and hatches is going to be any more successful than just offering us full existing content. I'd honestly put my money where my mouth is if I could buy a 123d five door or a 335i Touring. Simply stating that our reduced offerings of wagons don't sell isn't really a fair judgment. If BMW USA dictates what we get, then they've just been getting it wrong.

[JasonCSU]

Scott,

I don't know if this is the proper channel to voice a "wish list" of features for upcoming models, but I would really like to see either a boost gauge or at least the option to see boost displayed in the digital display of the gauge cluster for the turbo models. It would be fantastic if this could be offered in a future software update for the current models as well.

[Absorber]

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

All current cars that are being launched or about to be launched were designed when Chris Bangle was still at BMW. You will not see a Bangle-free car for a few years yet.

Thanks for the correction. If Bangle designed the upcoming offerings then I guess I just prefer his earlier work for the company.

[JB135MDCT]

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

And BMW Board have also approved a Coupe Z2 because of the potential of these two concepts.

Scott, Will the Z2 coupe share the same platform/engines as future M1? Will there be a Z2M? For me, this is more significant than the e82 based M1. I see the smaller size and weight to be a big deal. Rather wait for the Z2M. Any decent pics out there?

The current Z4 is to big, heavy, ugly, pricey and especially no coupe option.

[Jaguar66]

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

The next generation 1er Coupe (F22) will launch late 2012, prior to the 1M ...


And of course this time the next generation 2014 1M Coupe will not be an afterthought.

The 1M is to be launched in late 2012? I was thinking mid 2011.

[shockin330i]

If the 3 door or 5 door hit the US shores I'll be trading in my 335i...

On a side note, if they do go fwd they will be going against everything...

[MikeyV]

Hi Scott,

I thought the new FWD 1 series was twined with the next MINI, do you know when the next MINI will debut and if they will make a replacement for the Clubman?

[DUH CAR]

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

The US still shows no interest in the premium compact hatch.models.

I'm in Canada and want one! Sitting here with money for a deposit and to order.

[kumar911]

I think it has the front of the 5 series GT...

[Lucky1]

The 128i will be a really unique car after this if the NA inline sixes go away. I really want to keep mine a long time for a daily driver for that reason alone.

N/A I6 + RWD + small car = something special.

[ncarter124]

I'm sorry, I think it looks like hell.

[RPM90]

It's better looking than the 1st gen 1 hatch.
But, the A3, last pic, looks much better, tight and purposeful.

I can easily see a 4 door 1 series in those pics. I think I'd even like it.

That nose is too freaking big/tall. I know the Euro market needs this to get in line with the pedestrian regs for safety, but man it could have been handled better. It just overwhelms the front end.
I not a fan of the hood cut line aft of the BMW logo. If they would have dropped the cut to include the logo it would have had the effect of slightly diminishing the
Jimmy Durante big nose job.

[BimmerJim]

Good to know that the 135i will remain a sports car and not change.