One of the first entry-level luxury cars to hit the U.S. market, the BMW 1 Series is anything but bargain-basement. With a choice of three powerful six-cylinder engines and dimensions that rival earlier 3 Series models, the 1 Series are bona fide BMWs, complete with precision driving dynamics, premium features and a pricey sticker.
BMW 1 Series M Sport: premium tech in BMW’s entry-level model
While once in a class all its own, competitors to the BMW 1 Series in the entry-level luxury category have recently cropped up, like the award-winning Cadillac ATS and the forthcoming Mercedes-Benz CLA, although for now both of those models only come in four-door sedan variants. Those looking for top-down fun might also consider the Audi TT convertible, or even the front-wheel-drive Mini Cooper convertible.
The 118i has restored my faith in entry-level models from premium brands. Could it do with more standard gear? Absolutely, especially at $50K, and given what you could get in a higher-grade variant from a mainstream manufacturer, like the Mazda3 or VW Golf.
And where M Performance cars are mostly intended for street-driving, every BMW M SUV and car is designed with track racing in mind. Matt Farah of The Smoking Tire even took an X5 M on a series of track days across the US, and it never broke down. Also, Car and Driver reports that BMW offers every X5 M and X6 M buyer training at one of its M driving schools. Which, considering what the M models receive, is likely very necessary.
The big question is whether a small premium-priced car without the heritage and quirky styling of the Mini can succeed here. BMW needs a new entry-level model because its cars have generally increased in size and price with each redesign.
BMW's showcase car is expected to get a new V-8 and significant new technology. The next 7 series could adapt some styling cues from the Concept CS, the low-slung, four-seat sport sedan that debuted in April at the Shanghai auto show.
You also get fancy driver assistance tech such as ARB traction control (designed to reduce understeer by carefully metering out torque) and BMW Performance Control which applies the inside wheel brakes before traction is broken. Both of which are standard across the 1-series range.
BMW's smallest offering in the U.S., the 1-Series, carries forward into 2012 with a few tech upgrades but otherwise unchanged fundamentals, including its pair of engines and trims. That's not a bad thing, however, as the 1-Series continues to be one of the most impressive entry-level luxury sports cars on the road.
The 2011 BMW 1-Series doesn't see many changes for the new model year, but the few it does get are significant, making the 1-Series a technological standout in the entry-level luxury sports car market. Appearance is largely unaltered for 2011, with the love-it-or-leave-it styling a deciding factor for some.
The BMW 3 Series has had an unparalleled reputation both for its quality and supreme handling in the premium mid-size segment for more than 40 years. When this the seventh generation 'G20'-series model arrived back in 2018, it raised the bar even higher. But since then, we've had an all-new version of this car's arch-rival, the Mercedes C-Class, so BMW has had to further improve its '3': it has.
BMW has refined its engine selection as part of this facelift: the previous entry-level 318i (petrol) and 318d (diesel) units are no longer listed. So the range begins with the 184hp 320i petrol model or the 190hp 320d diesel, the latter gaining 48V mild hybrid tech. Eight-speed Steptronic auto transmission is now standard on all versions. If you can spend more, then the four cylinder 330e Plug-in variant with 292hp offers a tempting combination of speed and frugality. A more classic 3 Series combo though, lies with the petrol six cylinder 330i, with 258hp.
This seventh generation 3 Series model has had a useful visual update here for both Saloon and Touring estate body styles. If you know this 'G20'-series seventh generation design, you'll notice the updated front end, which offers slimmer LED headlights, a resculpted grille and gloss black brake cooling vents. M Sport variants get a distinctive hexagonal lower air intake too. There are reshaped bumpers at the rear and colour-coded trim elements, plus M Sport models feature a chunky diffuser.
This improved model has become quite expensive, but thanks to the updated hi-tech cabin, at least you now feel you're getting a very complete benchmark-standard product for that not-inconsiderable outlay. You might rarely use the added dynamic dimension it has over its rivals, but it'll always be good to know you have it. Within its segment, it really is the 'Ultimate driving machine'. Over the years, the 3 Series has changed a lot about the way we buy cars in this class, continually forcing its rivals to play catch up. This one's no different. As you were, people.
The i series, represented by the i3 and i8, incorporate the state-of-the-art EV and PHEV technologies, and an innovative body structure utilizing CFRP and aluminum modules. Currently, the advanced technologies of the i3 and i8 are being expanded and incorporated into the conventional core lineup. The X5 and 3 series now have plug-in hybrid versions, with further lineup expansion planned. Furthermore, large-scale reductions in vehicle weight are underway, utilizing state-of-the-art technology such as use of CFRP in the body frame for the next-generation 7 series, along with heavy use of aluminum.
The first model to feature the next-generation inline 6-cylinder engine will be the 340i from the 3 series. The maximum output is 326hp/5500-6500rpm and maximum torque at 45.9kgm/1380-5000rpm. The new model outperforms the conventional 335i by 20hp and 5.1kgm. The engine of the 340i sedan featuring an 8-speed Steptronic accelerates from 0 to 100km/h at 5.1 seconds, with a maximum speed of 250km/h (limiter engaged). Meanwhile, the engine reduced CO2 emissions, an important factor in Europe, by over 10% compared to the engine of the 335i.
The next-generation 7 series, scheduled for release in 2016, will not only use aluminum and ultra high-tensile steel sheet, but also CFRP for major segments of the body frame. Primarily, a CFRP column passes through the steel frame, which connects the A pillar, roof rail, and C pillar. CFRP is also used as the structural members for the 3 roof bows connecting the left and right roof rails, and as reinforcing members for the B and C pillars, center tunnel, and the side sills. Additionally, the next-generation 7 series extensively use aluminum for the engine compartment structure, and is planned for a maximum weight reduction of 130kg from the current model.
By model, annual unit sales in 2014 for the segment leader BMW 3 series increased 2% from the previous year's 467,672 to 476,792 units. The BMW 4 series sold 119,580 units. The BMW 5 series has also been the leader in this segment, marking 373,053 units for a growth of 1.7% (the previous year was 366,992 units). The latest third generation BMW X5 massively increased by 37.4% from the previous year's 107,231 units to 147,381 units, and all core models performed well. 2ff7e9595c
Comments