Centurion

OMG, thank you Eni for all the pieces of the puzzel. The car is going to be launched at the NY Auto show i April. You have told us that unlike the ordinary 1er the coupe will be available in the US and that success of the car will determin if the 2nd generation 1er will be available in the US.
The official shots being taken now and more specifically in the South Western US is an idication that the car is going to be launched soon and at the NY auto show in April seem to be the ideal place for it to be lacuned.

Curb Zone

 

Harry Plopper

Ccccc...

More like Coupe in Frankfurt (and then LA), Cabrio in Detroit. Or it is vice-versa: I can't recall it right now.

Don't know what happened to proposed idea of launching cabrio before coupe - especially now when decided coupe & cabrio would wear 1er badge, and not 2er. Is this idea still on agenda, or BMW changed their minds? Should check this out in the following days ...


PS: again the link to the "almost naked" 1er E82 coupe:

- ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

SCOTT27

The Press Release of the Coupe is scheduled for May 2007.

The BMW 1er coupe will be one of many world premieres (cars and technology) at BMW Group's outdoor complex at this September's Frankfurt Motor Show alongside the new BMW M3 Coupe.

Debate always = Maximum publicity!

The Cabrio undergoes it's photography later in April .
film crew shoot for Cabrio in Terrigal - New South Wales, Florida Keys ,and Ece Saray Marina in Fethiye , Turkey.

Schedule from Coupe to Cabrio will only be a few months... See (E64) 6er cabrio and (E93) 3er cabrio timelines.
The cabrio will very probably debut at a US Show .

My concern is not that the car has been exposed (A lot of exposure is quite good for us.. especially with this car!)
But why my erstwhile colleagues have not thrown their water bottles at said photographer . I have been informed thay got more shots so this is probably the sample to see who will bid the highest for these pictures... The prices they bid would surprise you...

Harry Plopper

WOW. Already in May? I was hoping for 1er in June, M3 in July.

Debate = maximum publicity. Sure. The new era of creative marketing.

I guess DW was too far away - out of the throwing bottle range.
Prices for such pics? $10k a piece. Easily. For some trophies (completely exposed ones) even up to $50k.

Centurion

I have a feeling the 1er coupe will become a hit. any idea on the asking price, just over 20k or more closer to 25k? It will be interesting to see what Audi and MB will do. The coupe will be very unique, there is simply nothing out there like it. This is probably the best ideas in the industry since the CLS.

SCOTT27

Ah! So thats why when I kick their car door (sometimes repeatedly) they don't get really upset !

You might see another Coupe in Sydney, Australia , Los Angeles USA or Zurich in Switzerland. look out for night shoots - your going to see this car cruise the streets @ night.

AdvEvo

scott when can we expect the m1?

Bmw has sold the first one This is the car i was waiting for. The m3 has grown too much for my liking M1 is my kind of car.

Harry Plopper

Yes, 1er coupe / cabrio will be a huge hit. Especially in US - where both cars aim at. Not that the cars will be so revolutionary & special, but will offer a true entry BMW - with significant deja vu effect: 2002, and / or E30 3er coupe / cabrio. And this will propeller the sales.

Do not expect BMW to come cheap. So expect $25k+ sticker.

Centurion

The X3 was also a unique model when it came out and as soon as it became a hit Audi and MB began working on equvilents. I have a good feeling history will repeat itself with the 1er coupe.

Harry Plopper

Mind that Audi is already working on A3 cabrio, and I wouldn't be surprised if MB comes out with SportCoupe Cabrio version soon after revised SC is offered.

Also expect MB & Audi to follow BMW in the SAC segment. Also expect R-class to be revised in the next Mk - to more follow the path BMW will started with F5 LSC. And Audi will follow with their luxury Sportback models.

For MB & Audi sake: I hope they will offer CLK & A5 with metal folding roofs. Also: TT & SLK will be fried alive when E98 Z4 comes out with a metal folding roof. BMW have learned the lesson.

Curb Zone