1er / 2er future models: Scott26 reports; part 2

[Deutsch]

AdvEvo,

I most definately agree with you that power is very trivial in the grand scheme. After now having driven both an M3 and C55, the difference is crystal clear; the C55 AMG is a weighty drag strip racer with slops of torque that it needs every single pound of, the M3 on the other hand revs to heaven and the next but makes the most of it's revs with its lightweight. The M3 is very agile and quick on it's feet with a suspension especially tuned for the the track.

 

[AdvEvo]

http://video.google.nl/videoplay?docid=-4543841524383924155&q=bugatti


Look at this movie so you can see were these horsepower wars leeds too.

Best powergain is lower the weight this movie shows it to you perfect en bmw should play this movie everyday when they open the office doors.

 

[kere]

Any news from the 3 door coupe? Will it look like the 5 door version or will it have a sportier look?

 

[bmer]

Wow, I kinda like that! Some tweaks with the details and it would look amazing.

 

[PanterroR]

Nice chop. Looks cute, compact and desirable. Ken and Barbie's new mobile?

 

[kere]

It's been quiet for a while now, any inside news about the upcoming 1/2-series coupe/cabrio?

 

[AdvEvo]

I quess you have to do it with the 3 doors version which is comming in march 2007 with a small facelift.

I have seen nothing about the 2er coupe no spy pics nothing.

So i quess the only thing we can expect is the 3 door version.

 

[EnI]

I quess you have to do it with the 3 doors version which is comming in march 2007 with a small facelift.

I have seen nothing about the 2er coupe no spy pics nothing.

So i quess the only thing we can expect is the 3 door version.

First 3dr 1er & 5dr 1er facelift in March, then 2er cabrio, and after cabrio a 2er coupe. It takes time ...

BMW is known for gradual delivery of new models.

 

[kere]

5dr facelift sounds good because I'm not really a big fan of the current 1 series look.

 

[EnI]

5dr facelift sounds good because I'm not really a big fan of the current 1 series look.

It will be a minor facelift - with very minor design changes (eg. redesigned bumpers).

 

[Centurion]

First 3dr 1er & 5dr 1er facelift in March, then 2er cabrio, and after cabrio a 2er coupe. It takes time ...

BMW is known for gradual delivery of new models.

Oh so the 1er will get a facelift in March, I didn't expect that. I really want to see the 2er, it will be so cute and adorable like the Mini.

 

[AdvEvo]

scott or enilab explain me something.

Why do we see lots of spy pics of the new m3. We even see lots of spy pics of a cabrio version of the 1er or 2er.

But why oh why do we see no spy pics at all of the 1er or 2er coupe. What so secret about that car which the m3 doesn t have.

 

[EnI]

But why oh why do we see no spy pics at all of the 1er or 2er coupe. What so secret about that car which the m3 doesn t have.

Because cabrio will be the first of two 2ers to be launched. Also it needs much more testing time due cabrio construction and related issues: folding roof reliability & stability, and body rigidity.

2er coupe will have almost the same chassis & body structure (expect roof from B-pillar on) as E81 1er 3dr hatch. And right now all the chassis, drive train & other essential testings were done with 3dr 1er hatch. All that is needed is putting an original 2er copue body & sheet metal on the finally developed chassis & do some additional tests & fine tuning to suspension, steering & brakes.

Earliest time we will start to see camouflaged 2er coupe with original design when E81 ends its FEP phases & chassis is production ready.

We are talking about a few weeks here ...

 

[EnI]

My "birdie" told me today BMW Board of Directors made a final decision:

E82 coupe & E88 cabrio will be badged 1-series (not 2-series as initially planned).

Reasons:

1er is already an established trademark with (according to the researches) a very good recognition worldwide (incl US!), so introducing new trademark would be too costly & unnecessary; also no true reasons for trademark differentiation since cars are too similar visually & mechanically; heritage can be also used for promotion via 1600 - 1800 series not only 2002;

According to the "birdie" the decision was consensual.

Birdie also says BMW desperately need to save some trademark names for numerous future niche models (eg. the names 2er & 4er). Numbered series are now already a bit crowded: 1er, 3er, 5er, 6er, 7er, 8er. Only 2er, 4er & 9er still available - and usage should be considered carefully, not with such ease. Therefore no future plans to re-badge 3er coupe & cabrio as 4er. BMW are also considering to file applications for some new lettered series to be registered - beside M, X, Z & upcoming F. Birdie says "Y-series" & "B-series" & "H-series" are the front-runners.

I was also told to expect some exciting news soon. No further details given.

 

[Choleric]

I wish I had a birdie that could do all that...

Interesting new nonetheless as usual Eni.

 

[Sayyaaf]

Oh Eni. I was hopping for something historical like the 2002. Anything from BMW would be great am sure.

As for 1-series thing, I think it is wise to keep cars sharing almost the same platform within the same series.

 

[Matt]

My "birdie" told me today BMW Board of Directors made a final decision:

E82 coupe & E88 cabrio will be badged 1-series (not 2-series as initially planned).

I told you guys!!!!!

To quote myself: 04-14-2006

Do you remember how they never renamed the 3 coupe a 4 series, well they're not planning to do that with the 1 series either. It will be the 1 series in the coupe form and it will get the 3.0 litre turbo, you can count on that. The M1/2 has not been confirmed and may never be. I think BMW is still debating whether to build that.

and you all disagreed here:

http://www.germancarforum.com/showthread.php?t=3760

 

[EnI]

A bit off-topic yet still very interesting:

Birdie also said BMW would go low-profile but severe cost-cutting program. Yet there would be no personnel reduction & no compromises on core BMW values / characteristics (= premium & dynamism), so no fear of lower quality or lower R&D budgets. Cost-cutting would be mainly executed in production field - better productivity etc.

I was told BMW were considering some new marketing strategies. "Efficient Dynamics" / "Efficient Performance" / "Clean Energy" would get more important role in BMW promotion & marketing activities. Also marketing would go dynamic as well - becoming more creative & aggressive.

The most interesting news I was told today: a major shake-up was going on in product planning department. Some major revisions had been done (no further details given, but was told to expect some news in the following months).

 

[EMpower]

My "birdie" told me today BMW Board of Directors made a final decision:

E82 coupe & E88 cabrio will be badged 1-series (not 2-series as initially planned).

Reasons:

1er is already an established trademark with (according to the researches) a very good recognition worldwide (incl US!), so introducing new trademark would be too costly & unnecessary; also no true reasons for trademark differentiation since cars are too similar visually & mechanically; heritage can be also used for promotion via 1600 - 1800 series not only 2002;

According to the "birdie" the decision was consensual.

Birdie also says BMW desperately need to save some trademark names for numerous future niche models (eg. the names 2er & 4er). Numbered series are now already a bit crowded: 1er, 3er, 5er, 6er, 7er, 8er. Only 2er, 4er & 9er still available - and usage should be considered carefully, not with such ease. Therefore no future plans to re-badge 3er coupe & cabrio as 4er. BMW are also considering to file applications for some new lettered series to be registered - beside M, X, Z & upcoming F. Birdie says "Y-series" & "B-series" & "H-series" are the front-runners.

I was also told to expect some exciting news soon. No further details given.

What about the V-series for V3 and V5 LSC?

 

[EnI]

What about the V-series for V3 and V5 LSC?

No V -series. But there will F-series. So F5 & F3 instead of V5 & V3.