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BMW 1 Series M Coupe steps up to the scales

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Etc., BMW

BMW 1 Series M Coupe weight

The crowd at Axis of Oversteer managed to get their paws on the first BMW 1 Series M Coupes to be let loose on American soil. What did they do with the car? While we can imagine the vehicle has already suffered through a pile of hole-shot launches and some serious flinging, the AoO gang also took a spell to load the car onto a set of scales to find out what exactly the baby M weights with a full tank. In a world where manufacturers are increasingly pressed to get their vehicles under the 4,000 pound mark, the 1 Series M Coupe managed to slide in at 3,351 pounds.

That’s mighty skinny considering that the car packs a 340 horsepower turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six under hood. This particular car has a full dance card at the moment. It’s headed from New Jersey to Daytona, Florida to serve as the pace car for this weekend’s 24 Hours of Daytona. We’re guessing that the machine will be right at home among the muscle-bound bruisers going the distance down south.

Gallery: 2012 BMW 1 Series M Coupe

2012 BMW 1 Series M Coupe

[Source: Axis of Oversteer]

BMW 1 Series M Coupe steps up to the scales originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 24 Jan 2011 19:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: BMW examining future of mobility in four-part documentary

Filed under: Technology, Videos, BMW

BMW documentary

Wherever You Want to Go documentary – Click above to watch video after the jump

We’ve spent lifetimes obsessing over the next stage in the human transportation saga. Constantly unsatisfied with the humble car, we’ve looked ever onward toward rocket ships, jet packs and personal flying contraptions of varying design to take care of ferrying us to work in greater comfort and speed than ever before imagined. BMW seems to be willing to wade into that universe with its new four-part documentary on the future of mobility called Wherever You Want to Go. The film delves into the various forms of what we think of as futuristic transportation by speaking with everyone from Buzz Aldrin to Syd Meade, Robin Chase and Marissa Mayer.

If you’re thinking this all sounds like an automaker rallying the troops against the internal combustion engine, don’t be so sure. The short trailer for the film features a ride in a Superbird clone, so it can’t be all bad. Hit the jump to soak up the trailer. BMW will release the films on February 1, 8, 15 and 22nd, so stay tuned.

[Sources: YouTube, Activate the Future]

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Video: BMW examining future of mobility in four-part documentary originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 24 Jan 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: BMW 1 Series frolics in the snow

Filed under: Spy Photos, Hatchback, BMW

BMW 1 Series spy shots

BMW 1 Series spy shots – Click above for high-res image gallery

The BMW 1 Series may have undergone a very slight refresh for the 2012 model year, but it appears that engineers are already hard at work for the next-generation of BMW’s current entry-level machine. Here, we see a five-door hatchback version out testing in the snow-laden cold, complete with a set of chains on its rear tires.

Though it appears that the size of the 1 Series hasn’t changed much, we can see that the front fascia has been slightly redesigned, probably taking on a shape more akin to what’s been done to the larger 5 Series sedan. This prototype is still pretty heavily camouflaged, so it’s hard to tell exactly what design tweaks are in store.

As for what’s under the hood, your guess is as good as ours. However, BMW’s latest commitment to four-cylinder turbocharged engines leads us to believe that the base car will have four-pot power, while the top-end 135i will still likely use the turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six that we currently enjoy.

Gallery: Spy Shots: BMW 1 Series

BMW 1 Series spy shots

[Source: CarPix]

Spy Shots: BMW 1 Series frolics in the snow originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Jan 2011 20:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW X1 gets brand’s first 245-hp turbocharged four-cylinder

Filed under: Crossover, BMW, Luxury

BMW X1 2.0 Turbocharged Four Cylinder – Click above for high-res image gallery

The BMW X1 may not arrive in the U.S. on schedule, but when it does show up, it will come packing a turbocharged four-cylinder. The all-aluminum 2.0-liter mill cranks out 245 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque thanks to direct-injection and a single twin-scroll turbo. European buyers will be able to bolt the engine to either a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic and the company’s xDrive all-wheel drive system. BMW claims the manual-equipped X1 will do the 0-62 mph in around 6.1 seconds. while opting for the auto will tack another .3 seconds onto its sprint time.

The German automaker has bolted on a heap of fuel-saving technologies, including start-stop and regenerative braking systems as well as a shift indicator. All told, BMW is shooting for 35.7 mpg on the imperial scale, or just under 30 mpg by U.S. measure – not too shabby for a full-time all-wheel drive machine. The fuel economy marks an improvement of 16 percent compared to the old lump. Click past the jump for the full details.

Gallery: BMW X1 2.0 Turbocharged Four Cylinder

[Source: BMW]

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BMW X1 gets brand’s first 245-hp turbocharged four-cylinder originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Jan 2011 15:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: BMW X1 U.S. debut delayed due to high demand in Europe

Filed under: Europe, Crossover, BMW, Luxury

2011 BMW X1

2011 BMW X1 – Click above for high-res image gallery

American buyers may have to wait a little bit longer before sinking their teeth into the upcoming BMW X1. According to Automotive News, the CUV has been more popular in Europe than the German automaker originally anticipated, and as such, BMW is experiencing a bit of a supply crunch. As a result, North American buyers won’t be seeing the X1 at the end of this year as originally expected. Instead, it’s beginning to look like the vehicle won’t show up here until early 2012 at the soonest. Automotive News reports that the X1 went on sale in Europe in November of 2009.

Since then, the high-riding hatch has sold out in every market it’s touched. BMW says that it fully expects the X1 to be a low-volume model here in the land of the free, with sales lodged somewhere in the same realm as what the current 1 Series Coupe and Convertible. Even so, the company says that it’s shooting for around 8,000 units per year. With the larger, more popular X3 just now hitting dealerships, the X1 will likely serve to fill a slot for buyers looking for a compact luxury crossover.

Gallery: 2011 BMW X1

[Source: Automotive News – sub. req.]

Report: BMW X1 U.S. debut delayed due to high demand in Europe originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Jan 2011 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: BMW Megacity is a premium product, will carry premium pricetag

Filed under: Europe, Hatchback, BMW, Rumormill, Electric

BMW Megacity EV

BMW Megacity EV – Click above for high-res image gallery

According to the rumors kicking around the interwebs, the upcoming BMW Megacity won’t be bargain basement transportation. Autocar cites an unnamed source as saying that when the city-sized electric car hits dealers, it will carry a premium price tag. That likely means that the Megacity will cost more than the Nissan Leaf EV that it’s designed to compete against.

That’s no real shocker given the Megacity’s complete carbon-fiber passenger cell and unique aluminum chassis. Throw in the extensive research and development that’s gone into the vehicle so far, and it’s not difficult to imagine a lofty price tag for the Megacity when the EV hatch goes on sale as a 2013 model.

There is some indication that as technology and manufacturing costs decrease, BMW will lower the vehicle’s price tag, but that’s not thought to happen until the Megacity has already been on the road for some time. So far, BMW has said official word one about how it plans to price its EV.

Gallery: BMW Megacity Vehicle

[Source: Autocar]

Rumormill: BMW Megacity is a premium product, will carry premium pricetag originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 18 Jan 2011 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: 2012 BMW 6 Series Coupe caught without camouflage

Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupe, BMW

2012 BMW 6 Series Coupe

2012 BMW 6 Series Coupe spy shots – Click above for high-res image gallery

It’s not a common practice for an automaker to debut a convertible before its coupe counterpart, but that’s exactly what BMW has done with its next-generation 6 Series. The droptop made its debut at the Detroit Auto Show earlier this month, and while the hardtop Sixer will be rolled out within the coming months, our spies have just captured the swoopy new coupe out in public completely undisguised.

We’re hardly surprised by the design of the new 6 Series Coupe – a fixed-roof version of the attractive new cabriolet that takes inspiration from the Concept 6 Series Coupe that debuted at the 2010 Paris Motor Show. Obviously, some of the concept’s finer points (the large wheels, the large lower air intakes) have been softened for the production car, and what we’re left with is a pretty sleek evolution of the big coupe’s design.

We fully expect powertrains to be carried over unchanged from the convertible, meaning a twin-turbocharged V8 packing 400 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque will be in store for the 650i coupe, mated to a choice of six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmissions. We haven’t been given the official word on when the Big Six will officially debut, but we’d be shocked if the new coupe didn’t turn up at the Geneva show in March.

Gallery: Spy Shots: 2012 BMW 6 Series Coupe

2012 BMW 6 Series Coupe spy shots

[Source: CarPix]

Spy Shots: 2012 BMW 6 Series Coupe caught without camouflage originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Jan 2011 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 BMW 1 Series M Coupe the “most affordable” M product ever offered

2012 BMW 1 Series M Coupe – Click above for high-res image gallery

At $47,010 (including destination), the 2012 BMW 1 Series M Coupe isn’t exactly cheap. Still, Matthew Russell, BMW product and technology PR rep, says it’s “the most affordable M BMW has ever sold, adjusting for inflation, including the original E30 M3.” That car cost around $34,000 when it was introduced in 1988. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Russell is more than right: $34,000 in 1988 had the same buying power as $62,885 in 2010.

With rumors of BMW getting into front-wheel-drive cars, we asked Dr. Kay Segler, president of BMW M GmbH, if M could do a FWD car. Segler said, “I haven’t thought about that,” and went on to remark that he couldn’t see doing a sub-1-Series M car. Russell elaborated with, “There are rumors about what is coming, but those aren’t from us.” As to other rumors about whether the coupes will be limited or capped in number, we were told categorically, “No.” But that was amended with, “But they will be hard to get.”

Gallery: 2012 BMW 1 Series M Coupe: Detroit 2011

2012 BMW 1 Series M Coupe

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2012 BMW 1 Series M Coupe the “most affordable” M product ever offered originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 16 Jan 2011 11:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jon Sibal’s BMW 1 M Coupe rendering to become real car

2012 BMW 1 Series M Coupe rendered by Jon Sibal

Jon Sibal is a very talented artist, and he recently turned his virtual pen on the all-new 2012 BMW 1 Series M Coupe. This rendering is going to be more than just a desktop wallpaper and a dream, however, because a BMW tuning company in Chicago is going to build it.

IND Distribution is teaming up with Patrick BMW, Jon Sibal and a handful of other companies to make this 1M and its classic M livery a reality. The car will get the exterior upgrades and paintwork as well as a host of performance modifications to dial up the fun-meter. We can’t wait to see the completed project.
Thanks for the tip, Andy!

[Source: Jon Sibal via MotorWorldHype]

Jon Sibal’s BMW 1 M Coupe rendering to become real car originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 15 Jan 2011 18:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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