BMW 1 Series (E81)
The BMW 1 Series (E81/E87 and E82/E88 models) is a small family car produced by the German automaker BMW since 2004. The 1 Series is unusual in its class as it features rear-wheel drive, 50:50 weight balance, a longitudinally-mounted engine and an advanced aluminum multilink suspension. It is currently BMW's second best-selling automobile worldwide, accounting for nearly one-fifth of the total sales in 2008.
The 1 Series was launched globally in Autumn 2004 and shares many structural, chassis, powertrain, hardware and electronic elements with the larger 3 Series. The model was started to provide a lower point of entry into the BMW range as the 3 Series moved gradually up-market. Initially launched as a five-door hatchback, a three-door version was also launched in July 2007. The 1 Series is priced between the MINI and the current E90 3 Series. Because the coupe is the only rear wheel drive vehicle in its class, it is often considered the successor to the BMW 2002.
The 1 Series coupe (E82) and convertible (E88) went on sale in the United States and Canada in model year 2008 (30 June 2007) as the 128i and the 135i. Other countries received the 120i and 125i in both platforms. The convertible, unlike the 3 Series convertible, uses a soft-top instead of a folding hardtop. This is lighter, cheaper to manufacture and preserves more trunk space than the folding hardtop would allow.
The North American introduction of the coupe and cabriolet was during the second quarter of 2008, which was credited for helping BMW overtake Lexus as the top luxury brand.
Unlike its predecessor, the new vehicle is built on its own platform (E87); however, it shares many components with the E90 3 Series. Shared parts include MacPherson struts in the front of the car and a trapezoidal-link rear axle. BMW has stated that it shares over 60% of components with the current E90 BMW 3 Series.
The 135i comes with the world's first differential with double-helical ball bearings which have the advantage of running at an even loweroperating temperature reached more quickly than before thanks to the reduction of fluid required in the differential. The 123d (150 kW (204 PS; 201 hp)) heads up the range of diesels.
Rumoured origins
In 1996, BMW owned the Rover Group, and was preparing a new car that would replace their Rover 200 and 400 ranges, called Project R30, developed jointly with Project R50 and R40, that would become, respectively, the New Mini and the Rover 75. The new model, which would have been badged as the Rover 55, was planned to be built in the Longbridge plant alongside the New Mini, and BMW were granted a £152 million subsidy by the British government to refurbish the plant.
In 2000, development was close to completion, but after BMW sold the Rover Group, the project's rights were taken by BMW, which stopped the project and kept the only working prototype in their headquarters of Munich. Although BMW tried to sell the project's rights, first to MG Rover and later to a number of Chinese car manufacturers, the model never entered production.
It has been rumoured that the Rover R30 was finished by BMW and transformed into the BMW 1 Series. However, BMW have stated that the 1 Series is unrelated to the R30, and was developed alongside the E90 3 Series.
Body types
3/5 door hatchback (E81/87)
The 1 Series was originally sold as a five-door hatchback, with range of straight four- and six-cylinder engines mated with five- or six-speed manual or optional six-speed automatic transmissions. It replaced the BMW 3 Series Compact range as the smallest and most affordable vehicle (depending on the engine model) in the BMW range.
Coupé/Convertible (E82/E88)
Like the three- and five-door BMW 1 Series models, the E82 also features a combination of equipment, marketed by BMW as EfficientDynamics, to reduce fuel consumption (see below). The Coupé is 133 mm (5.2 in) longer than the hatch, creating 20 litres (0.71 cubic feet) of extra boot space, but 220 mm (8.7 in) shorter than the 3-series Coupé. The published unladen weights (EU) of the 120d, 123d and 135i Coupés' are 1,450 kg (3,200 lb), 1,495 kg (3,300 lb), and 1,560 kg (3,400 lb), respectively. This is similar to an E46 3-series or an E34 5-series. The 1 Series Coupé (E82) was unveiled in Internationale Automobil-Ausstellung (IAA) 2007, which went on sale on November 24, 2007. The 1-Series Cabriolet uses a fabric top, to differentiate it further from the now steel-roofed 3-series convertible E93.
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Updates
2007
In 2007 the 1 Series gained a facelift along with the introduction of a three-door hatchback, coupe and convertible body styles. Engines were upgraded and more fuel efficient, along with new bumpers and other exterior and interior updates.
2011
In 2011, the coupé and cabriolet bodies gained a facelift. Exterior changes to the model were minor headlight and taillight revisions, new front/rear bumpers and minor revisions to the interior. The only new engine was the N55 which replaced the N54 twin-turbo, with power and torque output remaining the same. Even though many engines are same, the facelifted 1 Series fuel consumption is slightly higher in some models such as the 123d, and slightly lower in some models such as the 120i.
1M Coupé
The BMW 1 Series M is a high-performance version of the BMW 1 Series Coupe, developed by BMW's motorsport branch BMW M. It is currently the smallest and least expensive M model available. The name was chosen to avoid confusion with the original BMW M1.
BMW M boss, Dr. Kay Segler officially announced the making of the M variant of the BMW 1-Series Coupé on July 9, 2010, via an official YouTube video and press release. On December 9 2010, BMW officially announced all details of the car in the media. The variant was marketed as a spiritual follow-up to the famous E30 M3.
Unlike other M models (like the M3 and M5) which use M-derived engines named Sxx, the 1 Series M Coupé uses a M-tuned, twin turbocharged version of the N54 engine, as found in the 335is and Z4sDrive35is. Still a 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine with direct injection, it produces 340 hp (254 kW) at 5900 rpm and 332 lb·ft (450 N·m) torque from 1,500 to 4,500 rpm (with +369 lb·ft (500 N·m) overboost). The redline is 7,000 rpm. The 1 Series M Coupe reaches 60 miles per hour in 4.5 seconds (4.3 seconds with 1 foot of rollout like at a drag strip) and the quarter-mile in 12.9 seconds at 107.7 mph. The car is electronically limited to 155 mph (250 km/h) top speed. There is an M Drive button that activates a quicker throttle response program. The sole available transmission is a six-speed manual gearbox with an M gearshift knob, a 3.15:1 final drive ratio and a limited slip differential.
The body on the BMW 1 Series M Coupé has been modified as well, giving the car a significantly wider track and bigger body, as well as a body kit to distinguish it from the standard 1 Series. Despite the car's larger size, it is 77 lb (35 kg) lighter, giving it a weight of 3,296 lb (1,495 kg).
The 1 Series M Coupé, also known as the 1M Coupé, or the 1M, is available in Valencia Orange and Black Sapphire colors, both metallic. The only non-metallic color available is Alpine White. Alloy wheels are 19-inch in size, with Y-Spoke design, coded Style 359M.
BMW was originally going to release the 1M Coupé as a limited edition model of 2,700 units. Then due to positive response, the company lifted the cap and decided to produce as many 1M Coupés as the market requires until production ends in June of 2012. Nevertheless, production of the North American variant of the 1M Coupé stopped in December of 2011 bringing the total amount in the US to 740 units, and in the high 900's for all of North America..
The 1M was featured on Top Gear on 26 June 2011 and recorded a time of 1:25.0 round the Top Gear test track (the fastest M series BMW so far) and also beat the Porsche Cayman R and Lotus Evora S in a drag race. The 1M was met in the media with enthusiastic reviews, Jeremy Clarkson likening it, as a breakthrough model, to the original Volkswagen Golf GTI.
sourse: wikipedia.org
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