A bunch of images picturing the new Bmw 1-Series 3-door hatchback has leaked on the internet. Chinese website sohu.com has published a new set of pics that, apparently, were taken from the patent/trademark designs, and provide us with an all-comprehensive outlook of the car’s aesthetics.

The new Bmw 1-Series 3-door hatchback is supposed to hit the global market in Summer 2012, becoming the second body-type configuration available for the second generation of Bmw’s entry-level series out of the six that the German automaker is planning to make.

Looking at these images, the car gives the impression of being quite slender in comparison to its 5-door sister - thanks in most part to the absence of rear doors - which surely adds up to its sporty feeling. The 3-door hatchback is expected to share the same range of powertrains with the model it derives from.

View Bmw 1-Series 3-door hatchback leaked images

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German aftermarket company Prior Design introduces a new bodykit for Bmw 1-series Coupe. This kit is probably the best option currently available on the market to provide the standard model with that sort of ‘M’ flavour that only the 1M Coupe has in Bmw’s current 1-Series line. The package is called ‘PDM1 Widebody Aerodynamic-Kit’, is aimed at the E82 version of the model (hance not the latest F20) and consists of a front bumper with a carbon fiber splitter, rear bumper with integrated diffuser, side skirts, front fenders, rear widenings and a vented M3-ish bonnet. Looking at these pictures, we must admit that the result is just brilliant: if we did not know better, we would have sworn it was a 1M.

View the full Bmw 1-Series Coupe PDM1 by Prior Design photo gallery

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AC Schnitzer presents the first upgrades for the new BMW 1-series F20. As usual, new models are initially altered only in parts that can be simply substituted, without heavily intervening on mechanics and aerodynamics. In fact, that kind of development requires much more time to get properly implemented.

As for now, AC Schnitzer offers 18″ and 19″ alloy wheels and a chrome exhaust end pipe, which has been built by coupling together the 2 original round shaped outputs. For the interior, AC Schnitzer offers aluminum sports pedals, custom handbrake lever, sports gear knob with illumination and a different kind of iDrive control custom-made by AC Schnitzer. More performance kits and, especially, new engine upgrades will be launched soon.

View the full AC Schnitzer BMW 1-Series F20 gallery

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I’ll admit it - I really couldn’t care less about whether I can twitter from the driver’s seat of my new car. Do I really want to update my Facebook page from a car seat before I go anywhere? No. I’m not a “digital native” and live in the “real” world where driving is about me and the car, where I’m going and enjoying the experience while I’m at it. Call me a luddite, but I still haven’t learned to integrate the social networking aspects of my life into my general life on weekends, let alone worry about it when I’m off to work or the shops in my car.

Still, in-car tech seems to be the next frontier in luring young drivers and consumers and showing off the latest about integrating the car into the owner’s lifestyle. Apparently we’re living our lives just as much virtually as we are in real “reality” (what do we even call that anymore?). After checking out the Ford Evos Concept and the new Mercedes A-Class connectivity on the concept model, in this BMW 1 Series test drive video from Fifth Gear we get another look at in-car social networking.

The problem for us is understanding where our work as bloggers and journalists leaves off, and where real world consumer decisions are made. While it’s handy to be able to connect up your smartphone when you camera’s gone bust to film a test drive, that’s clearly not something the average consumer needs.

As Fifth Gear points out though, the BMW 1 Series, when hooked up to a smartphone, can help you twitter, go on Facebook and Google, read the news and check the weather (a bit ridiculous in the video itself when you can plainly see that it is bucketing down without a smartphone to tell you that fact). Anyway, if you’re interested in the lifestyle aspects of the BMW 1 Series, especially the virtual ones, rather than just how it drives, check out the video.

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Here are extra videos of the new BMW 1 Series in which we get a full set of beauty shots close up and some driving footage. The videos don’t show much of the new slogan “one origin, two originals” detailing the Sport and Urban versions, but what we do get is a nice tour of a plush-looking interior. Prices for the BMW 1 Series start at 23,850 euros with the two-litre 116d diesel engine with 116 hp offering the entry level model.

Continue reading: BMW 1 Series videos

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The BMW 1 Series is certainly indulging in a marketing campaign which will set out to prove its individuality. This assembly line video is more like a 1 Series music video with all sounds being produced by the car itself. It was made by the Electronic Media Department and involved German artists Jonas Imbery and Mirko Borsche, and is a nice example of how to change the formula of boring assembly line videos.

Meanwhile, we get more pics of the new BMW 1 Series model as it flexes in orange and red tones. The 1 Series will likely appear at the 2012 London Olympics as BMW sponsors the world-wide event. The new 1 Series comes in Sport Line or Urban Line packages available across the engine range, and prices start from about 28,600 euros. For the sportier among us there is also the 1 Series M-Sport model.

New BMW 1 Series mega gallery

Continue reading: BMW 1 Series "Check your machine" video and new pics

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The BMW 1 Series, after its recent restyling and the “one origin, two originals” campaign, has a bright future as the company works on expanding the range of its most compact model. According to Autocar, the BMW 1 Series will eventually give birth to six different variants on two separate platforms.

BMW is working on making its 1 Series more competitive in light of future competition in the hatchback and compact segment with upcoming models like the new Audi A3, totally redesigned Mercedes A-Class and seventh generation Volkswagen Golf. The first models to be seen are the 2011-2012 hatches in three and five door setup. They still have rear-wheel drive and will act as the introduction to the reworked range.

Following in 2013 we will get a BMW 1 Series coupe and a 1 Series cabriolet. They will use the same rear-wheel drive platform, but will be renamed the BMW 2 Series to distinguish them from the hatchbacks. They will get a new six-cylinder, three-litre turbocharged engine with optional seven-speed dual clutch transmission. The cabriolet makes a lot of sense to us after Volkswagen revived its Golf cabriolet and the Astra soft-top is also an upcoming model, but apparently these two models have been designed specifically with the US market in mind.

Continue reading: BMW 1 Series future versions to include coupe, cabriolet and hatch

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The BMW 1 Series “one origin, two originals” marketing campaign will spill over into the options available for the new 1 Series, with a standard version on offer, and then Urban and Sport versions. The 2012 1 Series configurator has been released and so have the prices for the new hatch. The Sport Line and Urban Line versions will be available with prices between 23,850 and 31,150 euros.

The German configurator already shows the BMW 1 Series M Sport package but no prices have been indicated for it. The M Sport version will be available from March 2012. Various options beyond just colour schemes and interior trim includes the ConnectedDrive onboard internet connection, automatic eight-speed transmission (offered at 2,320 euros) and the DDC electronic suspension system (another 1,100 euros). It looks like things could get expensive, but check out all the BMW 1 Series prices after the jump.

Continue reading: BMW 1 Series configurator and German pricing

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Since the new BMW 1 Series escaped to the internet, the company has bombarded us with the official treatment, including the original 1 Series gallery with its 126 images, and now these additional pics and videos. BMW so far is being careful in its offering, with a sensible engine line-up that should provide enough variety and power for everyone purchasing the new model.

The video above is the fruit of the new marketing campaign that BMW launched. The “one origin, two originals” process was to find pairs of siblings and it’s designed to show what BMW describes as the two different styles of the new 1 Series, and its driving modes of Sport and Urban. The message is that the two modes satisfy different driving styles, and therefore personalities. More on that with another video after the jump.

Among these new 1 Series pics we also get the first glimpse of what will be a future BMW 1 Series M Sport Package (pics after the jump). As per tradition, it should involve some modifications to the suspension and chassis, but otherwise will mostly provide a little extra sporty grunt with some styling features.

Continue reading: BMW 1 Series more pics and videos

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We like what they’ve done with the new BMW 1 Series - keeping it similar to the previous model while still giving it a new look. In this video, you can see the “old” and new 1 Series F20 lined up to get a closer look at the differences in the two models. The quality of the video is not perfect, but the walkaround gives us a good look at what is a totally revised front end and some changes to the rear as well.

In the video, we also get a quick look at the new BMW 1 Series interior and things have been swanked up a bit in there with a new design and what looks like a better entertainment package. We’re particularly taken with the modernised and more aggressive front end of the new hatch, while the rear still lacks a bit of extra personality to our eyes.

The new 1 Series will be initially offered as a five-door hatch with a petrol and diesel engine in a total of five different powersteps. Come 2012, the 1 Series will get a couple of extra new engine options and new versions, starting with the three-door hatch set to arrive mid year.

Source | Quattroruote

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After the first images of the new 2012 BMW 1 Series were leaked to the internet, the company went ahead and released a whole array of photos and technical details of the new baby BMW. The model is not quite as baby as the 1 Series it replaces, having grown in size and been given a boost in luxury details on the inside. As a result, the 1 Series is now roomier with more space for luggage, and has improved quality finishes and added features for the interior.

So far the release of the five-door hatch 1 Series is the only one we’ll see, but other variants should follow in the future. The new model is built on the 3 Series platform, and mid next-year we should see the three-door model appear. In terms of style, it’s still very much the 1 Series it was before, but has some new work around the headlights and a bold front-end which gives it a sporty look.

In terms of technical and mechanical features, the new BMW 1 Series comes with a longer wheelbase creating more room for back passengers, and which now also accommodates an all-wheel drive architecture (although rear-wheel drive will be the standard offering). It is also a wider vehicle, with aluminium MacPherson suspension (multi-link at the back), and there are new ecological features including an “Eco Pro” drive system with suggestions as to how best to drive for lower fuel consumption.

New 2012 BMW 1 Series

Continue reading: New BMW 1 Series gallery and details

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According to reports from Germany from AMUS, BMW could present as many as four models at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, two of which will be Motorsport models. The BMW M5 with its new 4.4-litre twinturbo V8 should be revealed, as should the BMW M3 GTS sedan, meaning that production for Europe at least would effectively be confirmed. The latter should have the same set-up as the GTS Coupé with the V8 engine and about 450 hp, but with updates to suspension and brakes.

Then, we should see the second generation BMW 1 Series appear, with a restyled 1 Series that gives us a longer wheelbase and redesigned interior. And then we should get to see the first glimpse of the new “sub-brand” - the BMW i3. It could be a welcome addition on the electric car market, and the city car could have about 150 hp with a range of 257 km.

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