Future Of The BMW 1-Series

[JoshCalkins]

BMW X-Coupe Concept

An inside source from BMW has posted a bunch of information about how the next generation of the 1-Series will evolve, and it looks like BMW has a pretty expansive plan that will include a bunch of new models. The basic concept is pretty simple. BMW has created a "modular design platform" system that will allow them to make a variety of vehicles from the 1-Series platform. The source was quick to note that this isn't simply putting different body work on what is essentially the same car, but he didn't go into too much detail (the scoop was a preview of an official BMW release so we'll see exact details in the next few months).

Next, the 1-Series will be subdivided into three "Portfolios" that are aimed at attracting a very wide range of entry-level premium vehicle buyers. The "Traditional Portfolio," which will have a standard 1-Series sedan, an ActiveHybrid model, and a Sport Hatch. The "Sporting Portfolio" will have the 1-Series Coupe and Convertible, a SuperSports version that has been rumored for the past few months, as well as a Z2 Roadster and Coupe, which has also been rumored. The third portfolio will be the "Lifestyle Portofolio" which will include an X1, an X2, a 1-Series Gran Turismo, and the Y1.

Z2 Rendering

Now, normally the mention of all these new models that BMW has barely hinted at would throw up red flags, but this source, who goes by the handle Scott26, has been dead-on in the past when providing information, most recently about the X1 and the 5-Series GT. Most of those models seem feasible, but what is this Y1? According to Scott26, "The Y series aims to be the hybrid of an X with the aura of a Z model." He cites the pictured X-Coupe concept having ideas that made their way to both the Z4 and the X6, and the Y-Series is supposed to continue that legacy, apparently. This source's previous scoops have usually been about 2-3 months before official announcements and unveilings, which puts the timeframe for an official BMW reveal at around September, just in time for the Frankfurt Auto Show (which, in 2007, was where the 1-Series coupe was first unveiled). So, we'll probably have to wait until then to get confirmation, but this source has been right before.

[ScottHalliday]

Interesting stuff Josh, with the 1-series hybrid models and all. To me the Super Sport will be the one to watch. As shocka commented in an earlier article, evoking the classic E30 M3 models are big shoes to fill and that is no small order even for BMW.

Any time-frame when we can expect to find out more?

[JoshCalkins]

Originally Posted by ScottHalliday Any time-frame when we can expect to find out more?

Nothing official that I've been able to dig up. The Frankfurt Auto Show is in September, from the 17th to the 27th, and BMW (and pretty much every German automaker) tends to make big announcements there on their home turf, so we should know more in three months.

[ScottHalliday]

September is a long time to wait. Hopefully there will be plenty of leaks and pre-press releases or something before then. The concept car renderings look pretty cool but I doubt if the real production versions will even look vaguely similar. They rarely do.

[kungfucious0_0]

barf.1 it looks like two cars welded together. front looks like a slick z3. back looks like a prelude or something rammed up the @&#.

[ScottHalliday]

Originally Posted by kungfucious0_0 barf.1 it looks like two cars welded together. front looks like a slick z3. back looks like a prelude or something rammed up the @&#.

hah, guess thats one way of putting it. from your comments guess you are on the fence as to whether you like it or not ...