shonguiz

Will be there an M2 ?

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Harry Plopper

Right now the project is again in "business evaluation" phase - basicly meaning "on hold". A lot of significant decisions will be made by BoD this Fall ... M2 could be one of them.

kere

Any news on the look of the 3 door 1 series? Will it look the same as the 5 door one?

Mikael

Eni, do you know the reason for this?

AdvEvo

Because usa gets no hatchback 1er.

The usa gets the 2 door coupe.

Harry Plopper

Because US market rejects luxury hatches. BMW Group have been represented with a hatch in US market already: MINI Cooper. But for MINI hatch shape works just fine, for BMW doesn't. Because these two brands have different image.

Therefore US market will get 2er cabrio and coupe (both 2dr) only, but no hatches - neither 5dr nor upcoming 3dr. Hatches are more popular in Europe: therfore 1er in hatch shape.

But in the future when first the 5er will be "repositioned": evolving in kind a more coupeish sedan (but not a radical 4dr coupe like MB CLS: new 5er will still have enough room for 5 persons, but the shape will be coupeish), the next 3er will grow in size taking 5er's position of a large classic sedan. Then a room for a smaller sedan will emerge: a Mk2 1er sedan - which will be sold in US as well. Also the Mk2 hatches are planned to be different in shape: 3dr more sporty, 5dr more utilitarian (like e.g. Opel Astra, or Audi A3). In this case there is a possibility 5dr hatch can also come to US.

Possible other 1er platform variants (Z2, X2, etc) will be also reconsidered form Mk2. As I said before: in late fall many significant decisions about future BMW project will be decided by BMW AG Board of Directors ... 1er / 2er variants included.

LonghornTX

Enilab-

Is there any reason why the 2dr cabrio is being released BEFORE the coupe? That seems at odds with common logic...TIA

Mikael

Thanks, Eni. I thought the 1er would be a great add for the line-up in the US market but if hatches don't sell there it's logical to leave it out.
Still I would have loved to see the 1-series in the NA market...

Harry Plopper

Yes, it's very uncommoun for BMW, but since both cars will be ready in Spring 2007 marketing dept. decided to launch Cabrio first: to offer it right in the begining of Summer 2007, and not in Fall - like it was common at BMW.

It sounds more logical, doesn't it. To launc cabrio just before Summer when cabrio season begins, and not before Winter when the cabrio market is almost dead.


Wait to see 2er coupe (or even cabrio) and your lust for 1er hatch will be gone.

AdvEvo

Eni

when can we expect the first spy pics of 2er coupe. all we see are cabrio pics or coupe pics with cabrio fake roofs.

Lots of talk going on that the 3 door hatch will be coupe.

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