[BMWDAD]

     Featured on BIMMERPOST.com

From http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/ne...w-junior-m-car

Render of 1 Series sedan

BMW is hatching plans for a hot entry-level M model based around a new saloon version of the second-generation 1-series.

The compact four-door aims to provide BMW with a direct rival to the upcoming Mercedes-Benz CLA45 AMG and Audi S3 saloon. The new BMW has already been earmarked to run a highly strung 2.0-litre turbo engine with at least 300bhp.

However, because of the heavy engineering workload facing BMW on existing new model development, the compact M Performance saloon is unlikely to hit the UK until the latter half of 2015 at the earliest.

“We are actively considering it,” said a high-ranking BMW insider. “Do we think there is a potential market? Yes, and it is likely to grow rapidly. If we had the capacity, we would already be well down the road [to production] by now.”

Internal BMW studies reveal that the market for compact performance saloons is set for high growth in key high-volume markets, such as China and North America. With both the S3 saloon and CLA45 AMG due to arrive before the end of next year, BMW officials are keen to fast-track the new model, possibly with contracted engineering, according to sources within automotive component supplier ranks.

The decision to form plans for a price-leading M Performance saloon stems from the sellout success of the limited-run 1-series M Coupé and the critical acclaim heaped on the 315bhp six-cylinder M135i hatch, road tested in the 14 November issue of Autocar.

“There has been a wholesale shift in the market,” said one source. “Our traditional M models — the M3 and M5 — have become a good deal larger, a lot more powerful, better equipped and naturally more expensive over the years. They still sell in solid numbers, but it is time to concentrate on the more affordable end of the performance range.”

A thick shroud of secrecy surrounds BMW’s junior saloon plans. However, Autocar can reveal that the firm is mulling over two disparate strategies.

The first revolves around the existing rear-wheel-drive 1-series. Already offered in three-door and five-door body styles, it will be bolstered next year by the arrival of second-generation coupé and convertible models, to be sold under a new 2-series nomenclature. Proposals call for the rear-drive underpinnings of the 2-series, which will have a slightly longer rear overhang than that of their hatchback siblings, to be used for the new 1-series saloon and possibly an entry-level Touring model.

The second strategy involves BMW’s new front-wheel drive platform revealed at the Paris motor show in September as the basis for the Compact Sports Tourer — a concept of the company’s upcoming five-seat MPV rival to the Mercedes B-class.

The steel monocoque ‘UKL1’ structure, which will underpin future Mini models, is also being eyed as a possible basis for the 1–series saloon to compete against the four-door version of the new Audi A3, revealed as a concept at the 2011 Geneva motor show, and the swoopy new Mercedes CLA, previewed at this year’s Beijing motor show as the Compact Sports Coupé. The A3 and CLA are base cars for the S3 and CLA45 AMG.

BMW is already planning an M Performance version of the 2-series coupé, likely to be badged M235i coupé. An open-top version based on the new 2-series convertible is likely to follow. But as with the recently introduced M135i hatch, which is sold in both three-door and five-door body styles, BMW sees potential in offering a more practical M Performance saloon as well.

The shortlisted rear-drive BMW platform supports longitudinal engine mounting, and the front-drive one has been conceived around a transverse engine layout. Although the rear-drive platform is considered to be dynamically superior because of its ability to achieve near-perfect front-to-rear weight distribution, it lacks the interior packaging advantages of the front-drive structure. Both have been engineered to take four-wheel drive.

Cost considerations are also a concern. BMW sources suggest that the added processes involved in producing the rear-drive structure make it up to 15 per cent more expensive than the new front-drive platform. However, they also point out that the rear-drive one currently benefits from greater economies of scale because it shares components with the platform used beneath the 3-series, which is still BMW’s best-selling model.

Making it front-wheel drive would allow it to be twinned with a rumoured new Mini saloon that’s due in 2015.

Although a question mark hangs over which platform BMW will use, its bosses appear to have already settled on four-cylinder power for its new entry-level performance saloon. Details are scarce, but the new unit is described as a development of today’s 2.0-litre turbo engine, the N20 as it is known internally, conceived for both longitudinal and transverse mounting.

With twin-scroll turbocharging, fully variable valve timing, lightweight internals and piezo-guided direct fuel injection, it aims to match the heady levels achieved by the latest version of Audi’s turbocharged 296bhp 2.0-litre ‘EA888’ engine and AMG’s similarly configured 349bhp ‘M132’ powerplant.

In its current highest state of tune, the N20 kicks out 242bhp, as in the 128i. For its new entry-level M model, BMW is looking at extracting more than 300bhp from the unit.

The decision to go with four-cylinder power provides a sufficient gap in the line-up to the sixth-generation M3, which is set to switch from its existing naturally aspirated 4.0-litre V8 to a turbocharged 3.0-litre straight six.

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/ne...w-junior-m-car

[rickk]

This could either end very bad or very good....

[AusF20/F48]

I like it
The good news from this is that there will be a 300hp+ upgrade M chip available for the existing 125i power plant in the not too distant future

[KoenG]

The current M135i is an overall impressive proposition. I guess that BMW is anticipating on increased taxations worldwide. Every bit of CO2 will be punished badly and buyer will bleed money on having committed this sin. Only then the 2l/4cyl makes sense, and also only when consumption is down by a clear stretch. How they'll do that is a mystery to me actually?

Nor the Audi S3 nor the AMG A45 are on par with the M135i...they are only slightly more efficient, and sacrifice the smoothness of the inline 6 which is omnipresent in the M135i.

When BMW is going that road, I can only hope they pull some tricks out of their sleeves...

[KSERGEI-BY]

I actually like this one:



Looks great imo. Hopefully will employ same platform as current 1er (ie stays RWD).

[F8SEVEN]

that rendering is AWESOME!!!

[Eno335]

Love the render! I'm liking the look

[sebaflex]

4 cyl 2.0 turbo with around 320hp would be kick ass. and if it looks anything like the car in that render then ill be the first to sign up for one.

[Antares]

Wild stuff

thanks for posting BMWDAD!

[NYAWE60]

This looks fantastic. The M3 has moved so far upmarket that while it is attainable, it would be stretching it a bit for me, especially that I like options so much. The 1M was great, its price i think was perfect, the major flaw was that it was so limited. I don't get why there's a 2012 135i and a 2013 135is but no 1M.

This car looks (or at least the rendering) looks amazing. If they can keep it in high 40's to low 50's they'll have a winner. I'd be all over it.

[BMW-RaceR]

Front headlights look the be quite simular the normal 1-series. But yet, something with the car/render/headlights makes it look so much better! It looks really good!

[Antares]

@ NYAWE60

I wonder why it must be a M-series.
go with a smaller engine like Europeans do; you'll save money on fuel, car price, and insurance. Even the chance that somebody steals your car is much lower.

Think positive
(no telling that you'll save the planet from global warming with this one car; or so the politicians say)

[KSERGEI-BY]

I like what im seeing in the picture, and I hope this will be a light rwd car.

[Antares]

Originally Posted by BMW-RaceR

Front headlights look the be quite simular the normal 1-series. But yet, something with the car/render/headlights makes it look so much better! It looks really good!

I agree; the front looks similar but at the same time much much better than the ugly-frugly 1 series .

[e92door3]

high hp 4 cylinder sounds nice but i would still preffer a turbo 6 under the bonnet i mean let's be honest bmw makes the sweetest 6 cyl engines.

[brio]

Originally Posted by BMW-RaceR

Front headlights look the be quite simular the normal 1-series. But yet, something with the car/render/headlights makes it look so much better! It looks really good!

Agreed!

[alex2364]

Originally Posted by rickk

This could either end very bad or very good....

Either go RWD or go home.

[Diver]

Interesting, but I would probably prefer something like the M135i repackaged as a coupe.

[Hula-Hula]

Originally Posted by rickk

This could either end very bad or very good....

This applies to everything though...?

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by Hula-Hula

This applies to everything though...?

Not as clearly as the threat of a fwd "M" car.

[Nick E39]

Originally Posted by alex2364

Either go RWD or go home.

+1

[jphughan]

Originally Posted by AusF20

I like it
The good news from this is that there will be a 300hp+ upgrade M chip available for the existing 125i power plant in the not too distant future

Don't hold your breath. Even M engines that are based on regular series counterparts (which in the past was most of them, actually) were reworked substantially to safely produce that much power before being put into an M car. It's not just a matter of adjusting boost and a few maps.