2002 tii and E30 M3 Might Get Spiritual Successor

[JoshCalkins]

1972 BMW 2002 tii

When the BMW 1-Series first premiered in 2007 at the Frankfurt Motor Show, there was a lot of talk that it would be a rebirth of the classic 2002 from the 1960s and 1970s. There have been some who heartily approved of the 1-Series, and some who weren't all that impressed, but people on both sides likely asked themselves the same question: when will a sport version be released? The name of that sport version was also a point of contention. Would it be called the M1? The original M1 was a mid-engine masterpiece that still evokes fond memories. Could they really replace it with a sporty 1-Series? Well, BMW has finally given an answer: yes, there will be a sport version of the 1-Series, no it won't be called the M1, and maybe, just maybe, it will recapture the magic of the 2002 tii and the E30 M3.

The model will be called the 1-Series Super Sport and it will debut in 2012, alongside a new 115i entry model 1-Series. This debut coincides with previous BMW plans to introduce a new coupe body style to the 1-Series that will more directly evoke the 2002 styling, including the classic round headlamps. BMW says that, while the Super Sport won't officially (as of now, anyway) bear the M badge, it will be slotted just below the current M3 in the company's lineup.

As far as the engine is concerned, BMW hasn't released any final specifications yet, but it is indicated to be a four-cylinder engine with a displacement of either 2.0 or 2.2 liters, affixed with a turbo, and capable of producing 300 horsepower and 330 foot-pounds of torque. As per usual, the regular 1-Series coupe will be put on a diet to reduce curb weight, and there will likely be suspension upgrades. It is hard to determine at this point how closely the Super Sport will adhere to the regular M treatment that BMW gives its models.

BMW E30 M3

This Super Sport will also evoke the classic E30 M3. As far as dimensions are concerned, the current 1-Series is pretty close to the E30, being just a little bit bigger: the 1-Series is 0.6 inches longer, the wheelbase is 3.6 inches longer, it's 1.5 inches taller, and it's 2.7 inches wider. Add in the fact the Super Sport is planned to have a 2.2-liter engine compared to the E30's 2.3-liter, and there are a lot of similarities. Although, the E30's engine was naturally aspirated, while the Super Sport looks to get a turbo.

How will this pan out? It is too early to tell at this point, but BMW is setting their sights pretty high. The original 2002 sold over 860,000 units from its European introduction in 1966 (it hit North America in 1968), and its retirement in 1977 (to be replaced by the then-new 3-Series). And the E30 M3 is most definitely still a cherished model. A modern mash-up of an E30 and a 2002 tii? That has the potential to be a great vehicle.

[Shocka]

Ya, i hope that comes true, lots of potential. However those are some huge shoes to fill, guess we'll see in 10 yrs or so.