BMW 1-Series (F20) First hand account by BimmerFile

It seems the guys over at BimmerFile were invited to Munich to tour BMW AG and got to see and sit inside a few examples of the F20. They weren't able to take photos, but did offer their insight into the car. They say:

"... the interior is getting a significant upgrade in quality of materials. The new look will be much closer to the X3, 5 and 7 series interior design and layout. In fact every F20 I saw the dash of had at least a small screen a la the X3."

"Outside the shape is much more handsome than the previous 1er hatch. The three door especially has a great shape do it with the higher belt line making it feel slightly more coupe like."

"... the new F20 is noticeably taller and wider than the outgoing 1 Series. At one point I happened upon the two parked directly next to each other and was surprised that I could so easily see difference."

The next generation BMW 1-Series is currently in the mid phase of its public strip-tease, the most recent spyphotos have all the protective cladding off the car, with only the typical psychadelic swirl pattern left to cover up the shape. The 1-Series hatchback in 5 and 3-door variants is expected to make its world premiere at the Frankfurt Autoshow in September of this year, so expect a full internet reveal of the car before then. The US bound coupe variant would be expected to arrive 1 year later.

Hop on over to BimmerFile to read the full post!

[Source: BimmerFile] 

BMW 1 SERIES

The BMW 1 Series is a line of small family cars manufactured by the German automaker BMW since 2004. Successor to the BMW Compact, it has been produced in four different body styles.

There are two generations of the 1 Series and their respective chassis codes:

1. BMW E87 - (2004–2011) 1 Series 5 Door Hatchback
2. BMW E81 - (2007–2011) 1 Series 3 Door Hatchback
3. BMW E82 - (2007–2011) 1 Series Coupe
4. BMW E88 - (2007–2011) 1 Series Convertible
5. BMW F20 - (2012) 1 Series

E81, E82, E88, E87

The 1 Series was launched globally in Autumn 2004 and shares many structural, chassis, powertrain, hardware and electronic elements with the larger 3 Series. The model was started to provide a lower point of entry into the BMW range as the 3 Series moved gradually up-market. Initially launched as a 5-door hatchback, a 2-door coupe version was also launched in July 2007. The 1 Series is priced between the MINI and the current E90 3 Series. Because the hatchback is the only rear wheel drive vehicle in its class, it is often considered the successor to the BMW 2002. The 1 Series line is produced in Leipzig, Germany at BMW's factory.

The 1 Series coupe (E82) and convertible (E88) went on sale in the United States and Canada in model year 2008 (30 June 2007) as the 128i and the 135i. Other countries received the 120i and 125i in both platforms. The convertible, unlike the 3 Series convertible, uses a soft-top instead of a folding hardtop. This is lighter and preserves more boot space than the folding hardtop would allow.

The North American introduction of the coupe and cabriolet was during the second quarter of 2008, which was credited for helping BMW overtake Lexus as the top luxury brand.

1 SERIES M COUPE

Although hinted about over the course of a year, BMW M Boss Dr. Kay Segler officially announced the making of the M variant of the BMW 1-Series Coupe on July 9, 2010, via an official YouTube video and press release.

On December 9 2010, BMW officially announced all details on the car exclusively on the internet. It is equipped by higher-performance derivative of the N54 engine, a twin-turbocharged 3.0L inline 6 cylinder engine with direct injection, producing 335 hp (250 kW) at 5900 rpm and 332 lb·ft (450 N·m) torque from 1500-4500 rpm (with +369 lb·ft (500 N·m) overboost). Redline is pegged at 7,000 rpm.

Official 0-60 mph time is 4.7 seconds, quarter mile (~400 m) in 13.2 seconds. The car is electronically limited to 155 mph (250 km/h) top speed. There is an M Drive button that activates a quicker throttle response program. The sole gearbox is a 6-speed manual transmission with a M gearshift knob, dry sump cooling system, and 3.15:1 final drive ratio.

The 2011 BMW 1 Series M Coupe shares this higher output N54 engine with the 2009 BMW Z4 sDrive35i, the 2009 BMW 740i/Li, and the 2011 BMW 335is. The N54 engine was previously found in the 1 Series line (the BMW 135i) in a lower state of tune for the model years 2008-2010, however the 135i has switched to the N55 for the 2011 production year.

The body on the BMW 1 Series M Coupe has been modified as well, giving the car a wider track and bigger body in every direction, as well as a subtle body kit to distinguish it from the standard 1 Series. Despite the car's larger size, it is 77 lb (35 kg) lighter, giving it a weight of 3,296 lb (1,495 kg).