Archive for the ‘1-Series’ Category

BMW isn't alone in planning big for a sales rebound in North America: Porsche, Audi, Volkswagen and Mercedes are banking on America and Canada and Mexico to kick in big profits again, someday. But BMW is approaching things a little differently--in part, by plotting a major expansion of North American production and in tandem, a big expansion of its 1-Series lineup.

Today BMW builds two-door coupe and convertible and hatchback versions of the 1-Series; the U.S. gets only the coupe and convertible. That could change with the 2013 BMW 1-Series, which could add sedan, wagon and crossover models as well as a spin-off 2012 Z2 sportscar, according...

BMW isn't alone in planning big for a sales rebound in North America: Porsche, Audi, Volkswagen and Mercedes are banking on America and Canada and Mexico to kick in big profits again, someday. But BMW is approaching things a little differently--in part, by plotting a major expansion of North American production and in tandem, a big expansion of its 1-Series lineup. Today BMW builds two-door coupe and convertible and hatchback versions of the 1-Series; the U.S. gets only the coupe and convertible. That could change with the 2013 BMW 1-Series, which could add sedan, wagon and crossover models as well as a spin-off 2012 Z2 sportscar, according... Read More

Now that both the BMW 3-Series Convertible and the new 2009 BMW Z4 have now gone upmarket with retractable hardtops, the 2009 BMW 1-Series ragtop has found its proper place in the lineup. And as we found in a weeklong drive, the 1-Series Convertible is a nice compromise that lands nicely between basic roadsters, cushy cruisers, and the pricier retractable hardtops.

While most open-air driving enthusiast might dismiss the lesser 128i Convertible in favor of the 135i, the 230-horsepower, 3.0-liter in-line six-cylinder engine powers the 2009 BMW 128i Convertible with enough gusto to rip off 0-60 times of less than seven seconds....

Now that both the BMW 3-Series Convertible and the new 2009 BMW Z4 have now gone upmarket with retractable hardtops, the 2009 BMW 1-Series ragtop has found its proper place in the lineup. And as we found in a weeklong drive, the 1-Series Convertible is a nice compromise that lands nicely between basic roadsters, cushy cruisers, and the pricier retractable hardtops. While most open-air driving enthusiast might dismiss the lesser 128i Convertible in favor of the 135i, the 230-horsepower, 3.0-liter in-line six-cylinder engine powers the 2009 BMW 128i Convertible with enough gusto to rip off 0-60 times of less than seven seconds.... Read More

When it comes to fuel economy, the little things matter, sometimes quite a lot, as some of the industry experts I gathered together for a "green car" forum yesterday made clear. The occasion was the public debut of NextCruise, an event for which I am serving as volunteer chairman - TheCarConnection.com, in full disclosure, is not in any way involved in the event. Three senior industry leaders, one from each of Detroit's Big Three, were on hand and asked what it will take to transform the auto industry into one more environmentally friendly. "There's no silver bullet," emphasized Micky Bly, a senior powertrain executive at General Motors and... When it comes to fuel economy, the little things matter, sometimes quite a lot, as some of the industry experts I gathered together for a "green car" forum yesterday made clear. The occasion was the public debut of NextCruise, an event for which I am serving as volunteer chairman - TheCarConnection.com, in full disclosure, is not in any way involved in the event. Three senior industry leaders, one from each of Detroit's Big Three, were on hand and asked what it will take to transform the auto industry into one more environmentally friendly. "There's no silver bullet," emphasized Micky Bly, a senior powertrain executive at General Motors and... Read More