My pal Trifecta is keeping his fingers crossed for the Saleen S7, but I’m willing to settle for this little gem making its USA debut sometime in the Spring of 2008. The BMW 1 Series will come in two models—the 128i and the 135i. The 128i features a 220-hp engine and will start at roughly $26k. And the 135i boasts a 300-hp engine (0-62 mph in 5.3 seconds) and starts at $31k.
Basically, the 1 series is BMW’s USA-friendly version of the European compact car. It’s about time Americans got on board with the less is more philosophy. I can understand wanting a Suburban or a Club Wagon for big families or if you’re hauling stuff, but the average U.S. consumer needs to reevaluate his/her roadway needs. Every time I see a single-manned H2 or Ford Expedition or some other gas guzzling behemoth, I cringe at the inefficiency. Little known fact: Millionaire and litigator extraordinaire, Leo Beus, owns several sport and luxury cars but his transportation of choice for his daily commute from Ahwatukee to Scottsdale is the Toyota Prius, because it allows him access to the HOV lane and it gets between 40 and 60 MPG.
Mercedes made its US compact foray in 2001 with the Sportcoupe, a smaller, three-door version of the popular C-class, but they experienced lackluster sales due to high prices and (at that time) less sensitivity to fuel prices and environmental conditions and they stopped selling the model in the U.S. in 2005. But since then the Mini Cooper—which is made by BMW and was launched in the U.S. in 2002—has proved consumers will buy well-designed premium small cars. In 2006, the company sold 39,171 of its Mini Cooper models, currently the smallest car on the U.S. market. The 1 Series will fill the void between the zany Mini Cooper and the pricey 3 Series, both in size and in target markets.
Basically, the 1 series is BMW’s USA-friendly version of the European compact car. It’s about time Americans got on board with the less is more philosophy. I can understand wanting a Suburban or a Club Wagon for big families or if you’re hauling stuff, but the average U.S. consumer needs to reevaluate his/her roadway needs. Every time I see a single-manned H2 or Ford Expedition or some other gas guzzling behemoth, I cringe at the inefficiency. Little known fact: Millionaire and litigator extraordinaire, Leo Beus, owns several sport and luxury cars but his transportation of choice for his daily commute from Ahwatukee to Scottsdale is the Toyota Prius, because it allows him access to the HOV lane and it gets between 40 and 60 MPG.
Mercedes made its US compact foray in 2001 with the Sportcoupe, a smaller, three-door version of the popular C-class, but they experienced lackluster sales due to high prices and (at that time) less sensitivity to fuel prices and environmental conditions and they stopped selling the model in the U.S. in 2005. But since then the Mini Cooper—which is made by BMW and was launched in the U.S. in 2002—has proved consumers will buy well-designed premium small cars. In 2006, the company sold 39,171 of its Mini Cooper models, currently the smallest car on the U.S. market. The 1 Series will fill the void between the zany Mini Cooper and the pricey 3 Series, both in size and in target markets.
I’m still not sure what the fuel efficiency statistics are for the BMW 1 Series but from what I’ve seen so far, I want this car.
Notes:
Wall Street Journal Article - "Small is Big in Luxury Cars"
I also think the new Honda Accord is pretty cool. And it’s surprisingly powerful to boot.
I also think the new Honda Accord is pretty cool. And it’s surprisingly powerful to boot.
1 comment:
The two engines available in the 1 series are the same engines as are available in the 3 series. Fuel economy will be almost identical to their 3 series counterparts. The new 1 series is built on the chassis of the 2001-2006 model 3 series. I love the new 1 series, especially the 135, and the two convertible models coming out later next year, but the truth is, the 3 series will be worth the extra cash.
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