*Opening Photo: 1993 BMW Z13 Concept
Our new spy photos reveal a redesigned center console that is slightly angled towards the driver and comes with new controls. As with the current BMW 1-Series, the iDrive / navigation screen is located at the top of the dashboard. We can also see a newly styled three-spoke steering wheel with a chunky girth.
While everyone is still waiting breathlessly for final specs and details, it's clear that the baby M is supposed to be something magical. People at Oktoberfest up Wisconsin way may be getting a sneak peak tonight (we told you about that earlier today), so get at us and let us know how that goes.
The only official details are what you've seen so far: quad exhaust tips, big cross-spoke rims, an M fascia, and beefed-up fenders. The car will likely get a tweaked version of the 135i's twin-turbo 6-cylinder, M goodies front to back, a locking diff, and the requisite suspension/steering/brake upgrades.
Read more »
The video shots suggest that the 1 Series M model will get the usual "M treatment" with extended wheel arches and a bodykit with unique bumpers and side skirts. According to Segler, the smallest ever BMW to wear the M-badge will arrive in showrooms in the first half of 2011. More to come so stay tuned...Read more »
"In a crash of sufficient severity, deployment of the front pre-tensioner and load-limiter occurs," said BMW in a statement to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. "In rare circumstances, it is possible that the insulation around the pre-tensioner could ignite."
In an interview with German webzine "Auto-News", BMW M GmbH's Managing Director Dr. Kay Segler for the first time officially acknowledged the Bavarian automaker's plans to introduce an M-variant of the 1-Series Coupe.
The Buckingham-based tuner said that as measured at its in-house four wheel drive chassis dyno', the electronic upgrade boosts the 3.0-litre six cylinder twin turbocharged engine's peak power from a tested standard output of 315 bhp, to 360 bhp, with a maximum power gain of 49 bhp at 5,989 rpm.
This time we have a new video showing what appears to be a modified 1-Series partially wrapped in BMW's characteristic black and white camo, testing at the Nurburgring race track.
Rumors regarding the car have been building up for what seems like ages, but what can be deduced is this: it'll be packing a high-output version of the 135's turbo'd 6, possibly wide-body fenders (which would be very appropriate), and hopefully a bunch of weight savings.
The commemorative model, a three-door 118d, was delivered to its owner on Monday, 12 April, on the occasion of the Leipzig Motor Show.
Read more »
Renting a BMW 1-Series for as little as £6.95 (equal to €7.9 or US$10.8) and a 3-Series for £8.95 (€10.2 or US$14) sure sounds tempting, but is there a catch to Streetcar's offer?
Well, of course there is. That kind of money will buy you only an hour's worth of driving time in the BMW 116 / 118d five-door hatchback and the 318d saloon respectively.
Not a bad deal if you want to rent a bimmer for a couple of hours but it gets less tempting as time increases with the 1 Series costing £69.50 for a whole day, £225 for Monday through Friday, £345 for 7 days and £895 for a whole month.
Prices for the 3 Series are even more steep with Streetcar asking for £89.50 for 24 hours, £295 for Monday to Friday, £445 for a week and £1,095 for a month.
The company said that it has more than 1,000 locations across a seven cities in the UK including London, Brighton, Cambridge, Southampton, Guildford, Maidstone and Oxford, but it aims to increase this number to 2,000 by 2011.
"Let me stress that you are not looking at a market study … or hearing about vague intentions" Andy Pfeiffenberger, vice president of Lexus Europe, told journalists during the presentation of the car in Frankfurt.
"This LF-Ch concept is a clear indication of our entry plans for the compact premium segment in the near future, with the world's first ever premium compact, full hybrid."
The overall shape of the plastic wrapped model depicted in these spy photos is almost identical to the LF-Ch concept right down to the rear window, though the design does appear to have been toned down a notch.
For example, gone are the 'hidden' read door handles that have been replaced by conventional handles while the tail lights and rear bumper design are new.
If the car pictured here is indeed the LF-Ch, then there's a strong possibility that we may see the hatchback model in the flesh at the Geneva Salon next March.
Lexus plans to offer the premium hatch that will rival cars like the BMW 1-Series and Audi A3 with both conventional and hybrid powertrains.
Hat tip to our anonymous reader for the shots!
With a maximum output of 300HP at 5,800 rpm and a peak torque of 300 lb-ft available from 1,200–5,000rpm (U.S.-spec version), the new six-cylinder produces the same level of performance as the current twin-turbo six-cylinder.
However, BMW says that thanks to the adoption of the single, twin-scroll turbocharger and the integration of VALVETRONIC throttle-less intake technology, the new engine promises better throttle response and even more fuel efficiency.
In addition, the automaker claims that peak torque is reached 100rpm earlier than with the previous engine while engine boost response is improved across the entire engine speed range.
Both the 135i Coupe and Convertible will be optionally available with BMW's 7-speed Double-Clutch Transmission (DCT) that now features dedicated steering wheel paddles for upshifting (on the right) and down shifting (on the left).
For the 2011 model year, BMW also replaced the HiFi System Professional with a new Harman Kardon Surround Sound System while the climate control instrument unit features a new alignment and optics.
