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Autoweek has a preview of everyone's favorite new little BMW that isn't coming to the US – the 1 series. The article is an interesting read – especially with the 1 series sharing so many components and technologies with the next generation MINI. For instance here are some of the more noteworthy mentions that may relate to the next MINI in some way:
As on some other BMW family cars, including the Rolls-Royce Phantom VI, a computer-chipped key fob for the 1 Series inserts into a slot in the dash. The car's software allows for four different user settings and each set of parameters is stored on its individual fob. Starting and switching off the car happens via a start/stop button on the center dash, which is slick for this segment. Also mimicking other family members, the fob doesn't even need to be inserted at all because the comfort access sensor within the fob can activate everything to your liking as you approach the car. Just press the button.
…Plans for this very-big-deal car got under way in early 2001 and resulted in the CS1 convertible concept at the 2002 Geneva show. Marc Girard (who is designing future MINIs) designed the interior, which is filled with good storage spots, real leather and substantial plastic. Rear room is, of course, limited, but that is expected in this segment. Comfort and lateral seat support is enhanced with optional inflatable/deflatable seat bolsters.
Since the next generation 3 series will also have all of these technologies it would be surprising to not see them in the next generation MINI.
Oh and if you're interested, Autoweek (like all other reports I've seen) thought very highly the 1 series in regards to handling and overall performance – especially the 120d. You can read the entire article here.
In other MINI related 1 series news Bloomberg ran a story today about the risks associated with a luxury brand going down market. Here's an excerpt that relates to the MINI:
Harald Hendrikse, an analyst at
Credit Suisse First Boston in London, expects the 1-Series car to be less profitable on a per unit basis than other BMW models such as the 6-Series or the X5. The company also makes the Mini, another compact model that went on sale three years ago, as well as Rolls-Royce luxury cars.Last year, BMW sold 176,000 Minis, more than the carmaker
expected, and it plans to introduce a range of vehicles based on
the car, including a van and a station wagon. A convertible version goes on sale this year.The success of the Mini, which costs 21,000 euros on average in Europe, has shown that customers want a higher-quality vehicle in the compact segment, said Kepler's Gehrke. The Mini and the 1-Series are part of a strategy to boost BMW's yearly vehicle sales to 1.4 million units by 2008.
The desire for premium vehicles among customers is growing more and more into the mass market,'' he said. “At that price level, people are demanding higher levels of quality.'' Gehrke expects BMW's net margin to rise to 4.8 percent this year.
The market for premium compact cars such as the 1-Series is expected to grow 50 percent through 2015. About 12 million compact models were sold worldwide last year, Ganal said.
<p>Even Mexico and Canada will get this car, but not us?</p>
<p>Pretty insulting isn't it?</p>
<p>My understanding is that BMW NA do not offer 4 cylinder BMW cars in the USA market. You have never had the likes of 316i, 318i, in either saloon or Compact versions.
I believe there will be a 6-cyl version of 1 series later on. However you guys may not get this either.
So you will have to go buy one in Canada or Mexico.</p>
<p>I wonder where USA is in the volume sold category versus the rest of the world? We must be right up there…RB</p>
<p>Wouldn't it be easy for Americans to buy the 1 series from Canada and Mexico and import it to the United States? I've heard of people moving from Canada and bringing their cars to the US just fine. What does one have to do to import a car from Canada or Mexico?</p>
<p>Would the 1-series platform be used for the MINI 4-door or wagon? Seems reasonable.</p>
<p>Tom Purves is clueless.</p>
<p>'Nuff said.</p>
<p>The BMW 1 series platform is Rear Wheel Drive….very poor choice for a MINI.</p>
<p>MINIs have always been FWD and will always stay that way. This is a technological way to differentiate MINIs from BMWs.</p>
<p>I am getting a bit worried with BMWs keen desire to “banglarize” and make the MINI more “Teutonic” and less “British”.</p>
<p>What's up with that?</p>
<p>A MINI wagon would be so cool!</p>
<p>Importing a new car into the US is an absolute nightmare, just ask bill gates who tried to import a porsche 959 many years ago, only to have it sit in a warehouse. </p>
<p><a href="http://autoweek.com/search/search_display.mv?port_code=autoweek&cat_code=coverstory&content_code=092824">link</a></p>
<p>I was able to import my CRX from Canada, a few years ago, because it was exactly the same as the US model; which must be proven by the manufacturer.</p>
<p>Ray, it is illegal to buy an import a brand new vehicle from either Mexico or Canada in despite of any prior NAFTA agreements.</p>
<p>Canadian cars are much more US spec complaint than Mexican cars. Most new Mexican new cars don't comply with federal requirements for importation. This is why so many people got discouraged to bring over the border some of the very last brand new Classic VW Beetles (Built until last year in Puebla, Mexico) that retailed for US$7,500 a piece in Mexico, because by the time the car had to be “Federalized” (Otherwise the car can not be registered) the $7.5K new car became $15K or more.</p>
<p>If you plan to import a vehicle 25 years or older into the US from a foreign country, you are exempt from meeting current federal regulations.</p>
<p>GW, BMW of North America used to offer up 4 cylinder vehicles…my dad's first BMW was a 318ti compact with a 1.9L 138 hp 4 banger. They never had much luck selling 4 cyl cars b/c Americans view BMW as a purely luxury brand and luxury brand cars are expected to have at least 6 cyl engines.</p>
<p>With regards to the issue of buying a car from Mexico, BMWs cost tens of thousands dollars more in Mexico than they do here (b/c of taxes, exclusivity, etc.). For example, my uncle bought a 320i in Mexico for about the same price my dad bought a 330ci here in the US.</p>
<p>hey, i dont think that the 1 series is bad, but i dont like it as much as the MINI. i think that it would be awesome if mini released an actualy concept of the 2 door estate wagon and the pickup truck mini, that would be awesome. if mini came out with these two, im definately duying, i also think that mini should make something other than the cooper, perhaps, morris?</p>
<p>Did everyone else miss this except me – “including a van and a station wagon”</p>
<p>Isn't this the first mention of a van version?</p>
<p>I can see why BMW is holding off right now. The luxury hatchback market has no real numbers in the US. Hatchbacks here have been relegated to a very young crowd, making up a lot of highschool students. They have typically been cheap vehicles, and such have that stigmatism in the US. I think this is slowly changing as newer more “higher-end” hatchbacks are beginning to enter the market. I just don't think the market has really been established for this type of car in the US, and BMW is probably hesitant investing the money until they get a feeling for what it is. The current engines available in the car are not adequate for the US market, and so BMW will need to re-evaluate this based on their evaluation of the European market.</p>
<p>My guess is that we will see this car. In a year or two most likely, sporting a V-6 engine. There are a couple of other luxury hatches about to hit our shores and I think the market will begin to get established and BMW will get into it.</p>
<p>I think Frank's “banglarize” comment may, in fact, be prophetic. As MINI introduce major body-style variants like the wagon and van, there is much opportunity for “Bangle-creep” to affect the styling.</p>
<p>Mind you, I am not a detractor of Chris Bangle's design influence on BMWs in general. I do beleive his edginess works better on some models that others; I am a big fan of the Z4 but lukewarm on the 7-series.</p>
<p>I would hate to see the elegantly rounded surfaces of the MINI (especially the bonnet) grow razor-sharp. IMHO, there is a classic “character” to the new MINI's design that, if changed, would sever the visual association with an aura of earlier decades. I believe that if this design was “banglarized”, it would turn the MINI into just another car.</p>
<p>FWIW,</p>
<p>Theo</p>
<p>I believe the BMW Group knows enough to leave the MINI slowly evolving. Their decision to institute “new design” in BMW cars was provoked by the necessity to further differentiate styling among luxury cars- if the competition will have equally advanicing technology, then design will start to play a larger role in luxury car purchases. Whether or not we purists of design agree or like the new BMW design direction, I don't think it's all wrong.</p>
<p>I know the MINI will stay basically the same, with only major differences being able to be made between cars two or three generations apart. If they made huge changes, it would no longer be a MINI. They won't do that.</p>
<p>Evan – you're right – that is how BMW is most likely approaching the redesign of the MINI. When they originally designed the new MINI they created a car that might have evolved from the original MINI had they're been constant updates throughout the years. I believe they are following that same method this time as well.</p>
<p>I just hope that the new keys are smaller than the current ones, esp if they don't need a big strip of metal off of them.</p>
<p>Yeah, I caught that mention of a VAN ! and Station Wagon from the factory, too!!!!!!!</p>
<p>Both those would be very COOL! Now, for the “moke” version!</p>
<p>“Banglized…Smanglized” ya need to get a new trumpet to blow on!!!…RB</p>
<p>BMW is making the right decision not to bring the 1 over at this time. MINI is wildly successful right now, why mess with things? In the next couple of years we will see whether demand for MINI tapers off. At that time introducing the 1 in the U.S. will generate some excitement.
Personally I would buy a 1 series today, sight unseen, with the six cylinder engine.
The good thing for MINI owners is that the 1 means that MINI will be left alone to occupy its own niche; no drastic styling changes should occur.</p>
<p>BMW will be cautious to a fault on this one – it would be a whole new ballgame for them, having a “Cheap” (relative) car, luxury appointed or not. As it is, their sales and service departments have become somewhat schizophrenic with the MINI in the mix, trying to please two essentially different markets. </p>
<p>BMW has worked its way up-market, and the basic brand is going to stay there, period. The 1 series would have a tough row to hoe over here as a small luxury hatchback, virtually creating the segment on the spot. Nobody likes to be first in the door – BMW is showing admirable restraint in a time when currency rates, interest rates, (and possible bankruptcy rates! ouch!)are not too stable.</p>
<p>I would hate to be in say, Toyota's shoes, if things get ugly in the economy – the Scion line is aimed at the least able, and historicaly, least stable segment of the car-buying public. Mitsubishi learned that hard lesson a few years ago, and it hurt their bottom line to the point that, combined with other problems, they are about to become a former car maker, it seems. If the MINI wasn't such a moneymaker for BMW, selling with no incentives, they would be in a huge hole that might be hard to climb out of right now. </p>
<p>I'll go out on a limb and say regardless of how good the MINI is, (and I think it's BRILLIANT, as the Guinness lads might say), BMW is the luckiest car-maker alive – even though they make a lot of their own luck, they caught a once-in-a-century wave (Hell, a virtual Godzilla-Maverick's!) and have been able to surf it without any real advertising or promotion, something almost unheard-of nowadays. </p>
<p>The 1 series would have no such opportunity, IMHO, and as a BMW-branded vehicle, it would have expectations presumed upon it that dwarf the ones the MINI had to live up to over here in Murica. Over in Yurp, there's a richer set of paints to draw on, and a much broader palette to try different brush-strokes upon, when it comes to cars. (Although, personally, I'd leave out the Bangle set of crayons, they make me wanna cut off an ear, or sumpthin'. HeHe!) </p>
<pre><code> BCNU,
Rob in Dago
</code></pre>
Dont get exicited about the 1 Series.its not a bad car but it looks vile…overpriced and no better build quality than any other european car…your not missing that much so why pay more just for a badge??? Come on my US cousins..your cars are just as good or are you falling for the hype again?