The (Premium Compact) Coupe : Reinvented...

To really understand the purpose of the coupe you have to go back and look at the 2002 . In which how this historic 2dr captured the imaginations and hearts of many in it's day the 2002 was the prelude to the 3er and when you look back at theat classic series you can see how that success has translated with today's 3er products . Now that the 1er has been established and highly successful It is now that the creative side of the initial product plans move into gear.

Do not assume that the 1er Coupe (and if it gets selected 2er ) will be just another variant with the same characteristics and driving prowness. the dynamics will be sharper it's intent to be a compact premium coupe and will be the most sport orientated model of the E87 platform.
Although it is undergoing Winter tests it will soon be pounding the Ring and there you will see it's intent and of course why BMW moved the 3er Coupe upmarket for a reason.

With the next M3 transitionally shifting to a V8 therefore taking the car up a notch There has been questions of what will slot before it with people quick to announce that the Z4M will be the E46 M3 replacement in it's price and performance segment. Again BMW are working on a higher performance M-badged compact coupe. Initial plans on which development has just started by M-Division are concentrating using the six cylinder block from the WTCC 320Si car as a base for this new engine and will be the starting block in which BMW's board of directors want something which can be dynamically compared and become the modern day E30 M3.

Of course BMW are going to export this model into the North American market where it would form a "bridge" similar from MINI to BMW as the 1er'ss role now fullfills in Europe and Asia.
BMW are also considering if the model becomes successful in the North American market is to maybe build US market models in the US but as this is an idea on the table and not viable at this time.

The significant factor from BMW's point of view is again the Coupe and Cabrio will enter this segment without major competitors at launch . And BMW know this will spur it's competitors to develop rivals for these two models. Especially if they take the segment and of course North America by storm.

However, keep in mind that the BMW 2002 (120HP) was launched at 1968 while the Alfa Romeo 1900 (a coupe) was introduced in 1950 with an 1.9 engine and 90HP. The TI version with larger intake valves had 10 more HP...a total of 100. The SS (Super Sprint) version produced 115HP with 1,955cc (at 1955).

If I am not mistaken...the Alfa 1900 was the first coupe...

The Alfa 1900


I think the BMW 1er 3dr is much better looking than the Coupe 2er. I am not rushing into conclusions... I will wait until further pictures...

To my knowledge:

- 2002 100 HP
- 2002 Ti 120 HP
- 2002 Tii 130 HP
- 2002 Turbo 170 HP

The 2002 despite named "coupe" in some countries was always seen as a 2 door sport sedan.
Its competitors were cars from Alfa Romeo, Lancia, Triumph and even Rover.

ENI,SCOTT:

Why is the design of the front the same as the current 1er?

Disguise.The headlights flick up at the corners near the grille like the 3er Coupe.

It is not. Fascia around headlights (like scott said: near the grille it curves up like on 3er coupe) is different. So is bumper & air intake design . Also according to my source the grille will be slightly different as well. Mind that the car is still heavily camoed on some parts!

Also rear is different - different rearlight design & graphics. And also side skirt (rocker panel is different - with longer crease separating two concave surfaces: to make the coupe / cabrio visually longer & sleeker).

But like I said: there will be slight but visual difference - especially due heavy parts sharing: to make the E87-platfor line as profitable as possible.


PS: wait till FEP E88 cabrio spy pics emerges - with only tape on. There the rear & front details are more clearly seen since wearing tape or bra only (but no plastic clading).

That's what I was afraid of; it somehow feels like a cheap extension of the 1-series and not a different model line. I think the differences are way too subtle.
Strange, since BMW had this whole strategy of changing the E92 3er coupe to 4 series with a different design, and they didn't after all (I know the reasons marketing and stuff). Now we have a 3 series coupe looking very different from it's 3-series sedan brother, and a 2-series looking virtually the same as the 1-series.

There's no way the 1er/2er coupe wouldn't be a hit with Americans. Especially young professionals which would probably be some slice of the pie. Build the car @ Spartansburg and young professionals will become the slice of the pie since the car will come much cheaper factoring out exchange rates.

Khmmm ... In this case there will be more profit for BMW AG (and their shareholders), because cheaper production would'nt reflect in lower prices (but in higher profit: same high price, lower costs).


Guys, grow up. BMW will never come cheap. BMW is a premium brand with a premium price.

You're quite the moody one round here lately.

Prices would come lower if the car was built domestically, for not only the U.S. but also the rest of the 1/2er coupe export market. No one named a price, so no need to have your undies up in a bunch over simple conversation.