In Perspective : BMW 1er Coupe

Sometimes it is not just size that enhances your statement.

When you look back at the history of the small BMW from the beginining of the Dixi to the 2002 all memorable all desirable all influently important. Looking at their aesthetics and their early segments you can clearly see the path BMW are wanting to emulate with it's 1er Coupe.

Sometimes it is not your most revered products you are remembered for .
Only the most memorable.

Evoking excitement ever since the days of the 2002 and the first and second generation of the 3er - Cars which have made BMW memorable and reconisable and of course the company that is today.
Given market requirements and latest safety developments and technology todays 3er cars have grown in size and segment, compared to it's first and second generation models even through to the car that started the history of the small compact coupe the 2002.

With the BMW 1er now firmly established as the "small" BMW and the additional body styles are about to be released to the market.

The addition of a Coupe to the 1er further illustrates BMW's policy of positioning the new 3er Coupe as a mid-level model below the larger 6er Coupe. Instead of the 3er being BMW's entry level base Coupe model.
Leaving an opening for the BMW 1er coupe.

The latest BMW 1er expands the company's " Efficient Dynamics" programme by combining efficiency with economy without sacrificing excitement.
The BMW 1er Coupe chassis and suspension has been developed to offer the most from the standard car's dynamics distancing itself from the core hatchback models.
The BMW 1er Coupe will remain the sporting choice for the whole choice of 1er models. Changes to the suspension and steering details will enhance the BMW 1er's entertaining driving experience.

While big Performance Coupes grab the headlines more or less for the wrong headlines in these times. BMW are hoping for headlines updating what was previously said about their earlier original small cars.
The BMW 1er Coupe will offer "Best of Both Worlds" performance in the latest petrol engines and BMW's supreme and powerful diesel engines.
The BMW 1er Coupe will in the form of the 135i and 125d bring Twin-Turbo power and technology for both petrol and diesel.
The six-Cylinder Twin-turbo engine already launched within the BMW 335i Coupe , Sedan and Touring will begin it's European expansion to other BMW products . BMW initially only wanted this engine to be the sole holder in the 3er first and foremost before extending it to BMW's other models.
An entry level performance model will use the solely Six Cylinder engine found in the ltd edition models of the BMW 320Si. Balanced with the dynamics of the BMW 1er coupe and the lightweight direction away from the heavier BMW 3er sedan. Will make for an exciting dynamic compact performance Coupe.

Mention the name M1 and all thought turns to Guigaro's wedgey seventies supercar. Now that the 1er has rendered this name inadequate if BMW were to reconsider such a return to an M1 like supercar.
The introduction of a BMW 1er Coupe opens a door for an M-Variant . Although media reports claim BMW are reluctant to offer a small M-Coupe using the hallowed tri-color .There is a primary driving force in Munich for this car .

There are 3 Core reasons why there is a strategy that exists for a BMW M1 Coupe.

One.- With the M3 Coupe now inheriting a V8 and moving up a segment. Their is belief that there is space for a BMW M1 Coupe and the 1er looks set to be the occupant for this vacancy. BMW engineers are in no denial about having something "back to basics" a very hardcore driving experience with a high revving engine sufficient power and stounding dynamics .

Two.- With the BMW 1er Coupe being developed for certain key markets such as North America and Canada , BMW need a car with the Halo effect to sell the image of the BMW 1er Coupe. it is no secret that customers begin from the basic models and work themselves to the top of BMW's product list - effectively by having an aspiring model that provides the halo effect to the rest of the range. That is the key to successful marketing - A BMW M car has avery profound effect thanks to it's status , desirability and image on the other models of BMW's model range. A BMW M1 Coupe is entirely essential in order for the 1er to win over the North American and Canadian market and the these markets would certainly require an M model of the BMW 1er coupe.

Three.- It is an opportunity far too great to miss. A return to a dynamic , entertaining and fun compact performance car in the vain of the classic E30 M3.
All BMW Coupes from the 3er to the 6er have come in an M variant. And plans are much proceeding in the direction for a BMW M1 Coupe.

One of the earliest strategies was when the V10 was being used to develop the new BMW M3 V8 engine that they considered using the V8 to develop the engine for the M1 Coupe. Unrealistically this would be a V6 but this was quickly dismissed as BMW does not pose a healthy attitude to V6 engines instead enjoying the smooth transition of power you can only get with six-cylinder power.
The new engine under development heralds from a magnesium block from the engine of the BMW 320Si and BMW have very stringent targets it wants to achieve so the M1 will fit well within the intermediate BMW M-Variant Coupe family. The BMW Z4M Coupe , BMW M3 Coupe and the BMW M6 Coupe.

The BMW M1 Coupe will certainly inherit some of it's toned looks and technologies seen with the other M cars available and ones around the corner. BMW always stress that it's M Division cars are not just tuned-up performance versions of the top end luxury models. every M car is different from steering to handling to chassis tuning and performance. An Mcar is greater than the sum of it's parts.
The BMW M1 will follow these ideals by also offering cutting edge developments such as the Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastic roof , lightweight body panels and aerodynamic M styling treatment. Aswell as the latest gear box technology.

Thanks for the insight, but the limited edition 320si engine is a four cylinder! So what are they planning, four or six cylinder?

Best regards, south

I still doubt they will manage to offer both 135i and M1, so let's hope they will focus on the M1.

I haven't heard about 135i being confirmed.
My sources never mentioned 135i at all. Yet I4 turbo was mentioned.

I doubt BMW would put a 192kg N54 engine in a poor 1er.

While of course possible new M engine (S55 ??? ) would be much lighter - featuring all the lightweight tech. So if S85 weights 240kg, S65 202kg, then all-magnesium I6 S55 should weight less then existing alu-magnesium N52 I6 - so near, or even less than 162kg.

Also: 192kg engine (despite 306HP / 400Nm) would kill all BMW ambitions of making 1er a true 2002 / E30 successor: small, agile, nimble.

I also doubt 135i & M1 would be able to co-exist.

With N54 1er would be too nose-heavy. I really can not imagine 135i.
BMW never (!!!) have same top non-M engines in different series.
7er has V12, 5er & 6er have V8, 3er has I6 bi-turbo. And I highly doubt they will stick N54 in 1er as well. That will dilute 3er completely. N53 HPI I6 is what will define top non-M 1er, IMO.

Also: N53 HPI I6 engine have some more potential - mind that BMW was able to squeeze 272HP from N52 engine - without HPI. So N53 engine is capable more than currently set 272HP.

So I guess 130i (N53 HPI I6) coupe could get 286HP, while M1 could be set at approx. 350HP. And with no 135i in portfolio.



And I can easily imagine limited edition 120si - same engine as 320si. Since 320si edition is already sold out.

Man this sounds sweet. This would be a great thing simply because right now there is nothing in the market that is small and rwd and a coupe. The only things that exist are the miata and s2000 but those are roadsters.

I have another complaint about 1er family strategy.

Look, 3dr hatch is being introduced 2.5 years after 5dr hatch. Coupe 3 years later, and cabrio even 3.5 years later.

We know BMW vehicles have 7-year long life-cycle.

I guess when new new Mk 1er 5dr hits the roads in 2011 - what will happen to 3dr version? Will it still be produced for another 2.5 years till new 3dr version comes, or will production end together with 5dr version?

What we can be 100% sure is that coupe & cabrio will still be produced till their new Mk introduction in 2014/15.

So ...

Who will buy 3dr hatch, and coupe & cabrio after new completely redesigned Mk 1er 5dr is introduced in 2011? Who will buy old 1er variants with old 1er design after new 1er 5dr version with completely new design is introduced in 2011? OK, same case with eg. 3er - but there the time gap between the first launched variant (sedan) and the last one (cabrio) is max 2 years. In 1er case the gap is 3.5 years!!!

IMO sales of 1er 3dr, coupe & cabrio sales will be hurt a lot after 2011 - if still being in production. So, 2nd half of coupe & cabrio life-cycle will be completely sluggish.

And that's all due (almost) same design for all 1er variants, and huge delays in introduction between specific 1er variants.

So, to keep up with new 5dr version BMW will have to introduce a major facelift of coupe & cabrio sometimes in 2011/12. Something like Audi did with A4 B6 -> B7.

It would be much easier if different 1er version had a bit different designs. Or named coupe & cabrio 2-series, and gave them completely different design.

I have a feeling 1er family strategy (timing) is a minor failure. But I hope I'm wrong.

Exactly my thoughts, seems like marketing is somehow disconnected with realities.

Same story, different brand: Mini. The Mk II just had it's SOP, but the Mk I convertible is said to be produced (and sold?) until 2009? Weird.

same thoughts as eni.

I am big 1er fan especially the agile handling and I like fast engines aswell but not a 135i turbo. Too nose heavy. Too much compromise for good chassis handling.

Just bring a 280hp or so 130i coupe and everyone is happy. After that bring a 330hp or more M1 and keep 3.5 turbo for the 3 series and above.

I have a 3 doors 130i on order and already own a 5 doors 130i but how much i like power i would never choose the 135i.

Keep the weight down make it the best handling car bmw has. Don t put nose heavy 6cil turbo engines in it.

If i could make the bmw 1er coupe petrol line up.

120i atmo 170hp
120i turbo 230hp
130i atmo 280hp
M1 atmo 330hp or more use the lightweight 3.0 engine get valvetronic off and put throttle bodies on and put revs to 8000 rpm or more.

If they could get 330hp and keep the weight around 1300kg. That would be just perfect. That s not light but it s the limit.

I rather have little less hp and less kg. M1 must be bmw best drivers car in the book no autobahn fast cruiser. What i like to see is a car that attacks corners and can get smiles on youre face while cornering. We don t need an other car that give tears in youre eyes because the front tires squeal soo loud because off understeer from the heavy nose.
We have enough cars which do that.

True. But there is not much difference in design between Mk1 Cabrio & Mk2 Cooper. So perhaps it's a bit easier. Also MINI is an iconic car with demand far exceeding supply. Not so sure there will be the same case with 1er.