Environmental concern was the key phrase of the BMW press conference. The BMW of today and tomorrow, we were told, is all about "Efficient Dynamics" -- driving pleasure with a conscience. It was strange then, that when they took the wraps off the hybrid X5, they chose to smother it in dry ice, which is composed, of course, of carbon dioxide.
This obsession with "Efficient Dynamics" explains why, when they unveiled the new 1 Series Coupe, the Germans chose to hero the 123d, rather than the much more exciting 135i... The former -- a twin-turbo turbodiesel -- won't be coming to the U.S., but the 135i definitely will and aesthetically it's curious. The 1 Series hatchback has been on sale in Europe for a few years, but the transformation from hatch to coupe is a mixed success. In many ways, this is an old-fashioned "three box" design and the rear end looks dangerously like an afterthought. It's neither sporty nor sophisticated. Space in the rear is also extremely tight -- even for children.
The 135i does look likely to impress with its performance, though. BMW is claiming 306 horsepower and 0-62 mph in just 5.3 seconds. BMW reckons this car harks back to the 02 Series car -- originally launched in 1966 and in particular, the 2002 Turbo. But these performance claims also bring back memories of a fast small coupe, the original E30 M3. -- Alistair Weaver, Contributor
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This will be on HOT seller. Fast, efficient and stylish. Forget the MINI when you have a 300hp RWD coupe weighing roughly 200lbs less than its 335i coupe brother. Whose, by the way, 0-60 time has been achieved in less than 4.9 secs. Simply amazing, count me in!
We do not receive the version that is fuel efficient, we do not receive the version that is space efficient. BMW must consider us to be fools.
What do you mean we don't receive the fuel efficient one? No we don't get the diesel nor the four cylinder's but we do get the brake regeneration, suggestive gearing and alternator that switches on only when necessary. Although when the sedan comes they should carry the touring or 3-door with it here, but probably wont.
HAHAHAHA brake regeneration on a non-hybrid vehicle. So what, it temporarily powers my AC. So it saves me less than .1 MPG? BMW needs to stop dumbing down its product line. Stick to its roots instead of trying to mass market this BS. Drove another 5 series a couple weeks ago and I was shocked. What happened to the steering feel? The pedals? What did they do to this poor vehicle? This is what happens to mass market.
Comp, actually, if you read up on the 08 mini in the UK you'll see that BMW's efforts with regenerative braking and on-off-stop resulted in a 9% increase in fuel economy. There was no penalty for it, just a more efficient car. I get 30 mpg out of 07 Cooper S. Seeing 33 mpg would be much nicer as that would give me about 11 or so days between fill-ups instead of 10.
As for appearance, I think this is the best looking BMW car since the Z8. I love the look of the 1 series. Unlike the ungainly, flaccid and flabby looking melted-ice-cream e92, this car looks small, squat and purposeful. It doesn't have the confused look of the e90 sedan (god what a lame design) but rather appears more like the very elegant e30s of days gone by.
I wouldn't buy it for the looks but unlike the 3 series coupe and sedan, it's not hard on the eyes at all. Just the opposite. Purposeful, clean and small...yummy. Now if only they made a 4 door like the e30!
A 4 door and I'd go put down a 1k deposit for a European Delivery today! Good bye mini, hello functional, RWD and fun.
They'll have no trouble selling these, though it's a bummer the back seat is tight for kids.
It may end up cannvbalizing the Mini on the low end and the 3 series on the high end. BMW has to be careful about how they price and market this car.
52.3 mpg for the automatic and 62.8 mpg is the rating for the BMW 118d. The rating is for Imperial gallons, though it does not matter since the 1 series in US will not come anywhere close to this mpg. And that is the combined rating, the highway rating is even higher.
The cargo space of the 3 door and 5 door are much larger and the backseat is larger on the 3 door and 5 door.
That is what I mean when I say US is only getting the fuel deficient and space deficient coupe.
At the very least BMW could offer them as options.
"*sigh* Reminds me of what the 3-series used to be.
moparbad, BMW isn't bringing the hatches to the US market because they know that they are a waste of their time. The simple truth is Americans hate hatches, and they hate wagons, and BMW is not going to spend the money to bring the cars over here only to have them sit on dealer lots for months on end.
I understand BMW not wanting to bring the hatch here but what prevents them from making it available though special order or something like that from Europe if the customer is willing to wait?
Bmwrulz, only 200 lbs? I think 500 lbs or more would be much better! At only 200 lbs lighter than the 3-series, I doubt it would be much faster than the 335i.
blackadder, although 500lbs would be nice, it just isnt.
on the BMW international website, it states the 135i has a 5.1kg per bhp. The stated bhp on the site is 302bhp. so the math is 5.1 x 302 = 1540.2kg. Now, converted to pounds which is 1kg = 2.205lbs. This comes to 3296lbs, the 335i weighs 3571lbs. The difference is 175lbs.
So the given 0-60 time should be the same as the 335i, but the less weight will improve agility if anything.
3571 - 3296 = 275
Equal HP and 275 lbs less will make a difference on 0-60.
I've found a few websites that are listing the weight of the 135i at 3438 lbs. Only 133 lbs lighter than the 335i is kinda lame.
My 2006 WRX wagon is AWD, 4" longer, 3" taller, and weighs 186 lbs less than the new 135i ?!?
Hopefully 3438 includes the guy who drove it on the scale.
Check it out:
http://www.rsportscars.com/eng/cars/bmw_135i.asp
It's 662 lbs heavierr than my super-rigid S2000 (2776).
The 3438 might be convertible weight while the coupe weighs just 3296. Also, there's a few variables to consider when calculating. There could be a rounding error (depending on the number of significant digits - boy that brings back physics class), they could be talking dry weight, and they could be talking about crank hp or wheel hp.
The 3296 lbs posted earlier should have been 3396. 1540.2 kg multip-lied by 2.205 = 3396. Maybe a few manditory saftey gismos for the N. American market pushed it to 3438.
The weight issue is a shame because it really won't be the same tossable car the 2002 was, like many people are hoping. But it should be more manueverable around town than a 3 series.
I like the styling, but I'd have to agree with the emunds comment that the rear end looks like an afterthought. If only they had extended the tail lights onto the trunk lid... It works for the 3 series and it really improved the look of the 7 series when they updated it.
alfalfa- The reality is that BMW already sells hatches in the US. Demand exceeds supply. MINI
Hatches that are well designed and deliver quality and handling sell with no problem.
Z4 Coupe is also a hatch.
I disagree with you and believe the market would easily support a 3 door and 5 door in the US. Unfortunately the market will not be able to give an answer.
My viewpoint is that it is a mistake to overly "Americanize" German and other imported cars. Imports are purchased for their uniqueness and character that they provide that is not available in domestics.
Vehicles in the US market are all starting to look alike and German, Japanese brands are becoming diluted.
BMW 1 is a PIG concerning weight!
To achieve quiet and comfort, it does add weight, sacrifices performance (acceleration), and consumes more gasoline. However, the 1 series is able to achieve performance and gasoline consumption above the competitors (even with its weight due to its torque). It will be hard to find a car that has this kind of performance getting a combined 30 mpg. The 135i is capable of 0 to 60 sprint in 5 second or less (if properly driven). This car can easily be a sleeper if the weight can be reduce by couple hundred pounds.
I am afraid this car will sell well and owning one makes no difference. I enjoy being rare.
Performance is not limited to acceleration.
It just better be way under the price of the 3-series. Like 25 grand base price for the 128i and 28 grand for the 335i. Any higher than that and people will not buy a smaller car for the same price as a 3-series.
Pricing will be starting just under 30k for the 128i which is 7k less than the 328i coupe. That does put it directly in between the Mini Cooper S (22k) and the 328i coupe (36k). The same price difference between the 135i and 335i would have the 135i coupe starting around 35k.
I'll have to admit, I was kinda hoping for a bigger price difference as well. I guess they're not going to be as "bear bones" in the features as I had hoped. I was thinking maybe BMWs answer to the 350z base, WRX TR, Evo RS, etc.
35K is a lot of cabbage for a performance coupe with an open rear diff. Then again, so is 42k for the 335.
Thank You!! Thank You!! Thank You!! More cars with real substance to really get the blood pumping!! Give me German engineering or nothing at all!! Less rice would be nice also!!