BMW Sends Draped 1 Series M Coupe for a Photo Shoot in Paris

Welcome to another round of insignificant teaser pictures of BMW's upcoming 1 Series M Coupe. This time, the Bavarians took a pre-production version of the high-performance compact coupe over to the Arc de Triomphe, just off the Place Charles de Gaulle in Paris, for a quick photo shoot. Once again, the car was fully wrapped so nothing really new to see here. And before you ask, we don't know anything about the man or the young woman posing with the car.

BMW hasn't really given out any specific details about the car, but we do know it will be powered by a turbocharged straight six producing somewhere around 350-ponies with the Germans also hinting that it's meant to be a spiritual successor to the original E30 M3 of the late 1980s / early 1990s.

The newest member of BMW's 'M' model family is scheduled to be launched into the market sometime next year.

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Paris Show: BMW Confirms Smaller than 1-Series FWD Model for the USA

*Opening Photo: 1993 BMW Z13 Concept

Motor shows aren't only about new car and concept model presentations as many carmakers take the opportunity to either announce or detail future projects. And while we already know about BMW's plans to develop a smaller than 1-Series front-wheel drive model, BMW AG board member for sales and marketing, Ian Robertson, told reporters on the sidelines of the Paris Show today that the car will be sold in the United States.

BMW's people are currently calling the new model series, "UKL", which is said to be a German abbreviation for lower compact class cars. .

"It will be a relatively big segment because we have several body styles," said Robertson.

While Robertson didn't go into specific details about the available body styles, he did say the small front-wheel drive bimmer will be offered in the States with a four-cylinder engine, with sales set to start before the 2013 launch of the Bavarian firm's megacity electric car.

That means we could see the new (or shall we say 0-) Series making its market debut as early as 2012.

The BMW AG board member added the company expects to sell as much as 100,000 examples of the car worldwide a year and that he is convinced BMW can continue to command premium pricing even though it's a front-wheel drive model.

"No one has said to me the Mini isn't great to drive," Robertson said referring to the front-wheel drive cars of the BMW-group brand.

Expect to see a concept version of the new FWD small BMW making its debut at an international motor show within the next year or so.

Source: Autonews

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2010 BMW 1-Series: Coupe Gets 2.0-liter Engines, New Sport and LifeStyle Editions for the Hatch

2010 BMW 1-Series: Coupe Gets 2.0-liter Engines, New Sport and LifeStyle Editions for the Hatch

BMW's 1-Series range is entering the 2010 model year with two new engines returning up to 52.mpg US for the coupe and two additional special edition versions for the three- and five-door hatchback models. Starting off with the 1 Series Coupe, the Bavarian automaker is enhancing the two-door model's lineup with the addition of the 120i Coupe that is powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder direct-injection gasoline engine developing 170HP at 6,700 rpm and peak torque of 210Nm /155 lb-ft at 4,250 rpm.

The gasoline engine accelerates the 120i Coupe from zero to 100km/h (62mph) in 7.8 seconds and offers a top speed of 224km/h or 149 mph. Average fuel consumption in the EU test cycle is rated at 6.6lt/100km or 35.7mpg US with CO2 emissions of 153gr/km.

The second new model to join the range is the 118d Coupe that features a 2.0-liter turbo diesel churning out 143HP at 4,000 rpm and 300Nm /221 lb-ft of torque between 1,750 and 2,500 rpm. With this power plant that is linked to a 6-speed manual gearbox, the 118d Coupe goes from a standstill to 100 km/h (62mph) in 9.0 seconds and reaches a top speed of 210km/h or 130mph while returning an average fuel consumption of just 4.5lt/100km or 53.2mpg US with a CO2 emission rating of 119gr/km.

Both the 118d and 120i Coupe will be go on sale in Europe in September.

Other new models as of September 2009 are the Lifestyle and Sport Editions which will be available with all engine variants of the three- and five-door hatchback versions of the 1-Series. Highlights of the Lifestyle Edition include the exclusive Marrakesh Brown Metallic paint with matching interior trim and upholstery, additional exterior components in body color and chrome-plated tailpipes as well as specific 17-inch light-alloy rims in five-spoke design.

The Sport Edition models come as standard with the M Sports Package which includes the M Aerodynamics Package, a sports suspension set-up as well as 17-inch light-alloy wheels in dual-spoke design. Furthermore, the BMW 130i and BMW 123d feature 18-inch light-alloy wheels in Ferric Grey paintwork available as an option also on the other model variants.

Other features included in the package are the Blackline rear lights, exterior components in body colour, Shadow Line on the window shaft covers and side window surrounds, foglamps and chrome-plated tailpipes on the exhaust

Inside, the Sport Edition comes with a set of front passenger sport seats, chrome-plated entry trim bearing the name "BMW Edition", stainless-steel pedals, an M footrest, an M sports steering wheel, an M gearshift lever in soft nappa leather, interior trim in Aluminium Glacier Silver and roof lining in anthracite color.

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