Jalopnik
We've got to give credit to Phil, a BMW 1-series hatchback is something that those keen of eye might have missed driving around here on US soil and, even if some would have noticed it as an oddity, they might not have been so quick as to get such good photos of the thing. That it has New Jersey Manufacturer plates is no surprise, as most special Bimmers do. The question is, will the BMW 1-Series five-door, which is sold in Europe, join the 2009 BMW 1-Series already here in the states?
Probably not. If we had to put money down we'd say that this is just a car here for engineering evaluation purposes, an advertisement or something else. Nevertheless, we can dream can't we? (Thanks to Phil for the photos)
Comments
3 door hatchback in the US please BMW!
Not on my watch.
Yes! Yes! ho yes please!
I don't believe in god, but if i did the two things I would pray for are:
1: a 135i 5-door in the U.S.
2: a bar in San Diego that had $5 pitchers of Yuengling and shuffleboard
in that order
the idea is good, but why is the 1-series nearly as heavy as a 3-series?
Still, a 135 5-door would have me drooling like an idiot. Any chance they'll also have an xi?
Or an M-version 5-door. Sweet Jesus, I'd have to go sell a kidney or two.
I sent you guys photos of a 5-door 1 series in Los Angeles a few weeks ago and do I get on Jalopnik? oh no, my photos aren't good enough.
doodie heads.
Christ are the lines on this car bad. Woof.
By the way, I think Phil has stumbled across something that is more interesting that you guys have given him credit for, that looks like a facelift to the existing 1-series. Note the new rear bumper.
Of course we won't get it. It's too heavy to deliver by ramp.
@AndyDuncan: I think that's the european version's bumpers... right?
@AndyDuncan:
Send them again, please. Missed that the first time somehow.
@will: I've seen a couple of these running around Chula-juana with Mexican plates. I'm too lazy to deal with things like "research" but it would be cool to buy one there and drive it here. If I went to all that trouble, I'd probably get an A-Class.
@Matt Hardigree: You're right, it's just the m-sport version.
I've gotta be the only human on the planet that isn't all ga-ga about the MK5 GTI. The 5-door 1-series would do wonders in helping me support that stance.
@Skydiver: Mexico sells a lot of cars that aren't available here in the US.
@theeastbaykid: Have you not watched the Top Gear comparisons of GTI v 1-series?
Man, I didn't think they would attempt to make it uglier than it already was.
HOT!
(needs an LSD though)
No.
OOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH SSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHIIIIIIIIIIIITTTTTTT!!!!
DAMN, no I gotta go buy a new BMW!
@PeteJayhawk:
of course, in europe they also get the R32 with 5 doors and a stickshift...
If this came in a diesel, BMW could have 35,000 of my dollars.
Oh please God, yes. My wife might actually let me buy on of these.
I've been seeing a 1-series hatch driving around Edmonton, Canada with American plates on it (I'm not sure which state - maybe North Carolina?). I really want to talk to the guy driving it to find out if they are planning on selling the 1-series here.
Would love it, would definitely want it... but it looks like it's sagging. I'll wait for the post-Chris-Bangle facelift that will hopefully not look like it's melted.
Oh my god! First they come out with a live action speed racer movie. Now this potential 5door hatch from BMW. Please please be true and make it a 135i. I can plan my pilgrimage to the Nordschleife with a euro delivery model. Please oh please oh please......
@BuddyHinton: I don't believe they make the 135 in a 5-door even overseas.
The 123D isn't bad tho, 200hp and 40-something MPG.
@AndyDuncan: Nooooooooooooo! Damn you Andy for putting a setback on my dream! But I'd settle for a 130i/128i I think. I need a test drive and some aftermarket parts.....
That's a pretty buff-looking Kia Rio there. . .
I don't get it. We get the X6, but we can't have this?
The coupe 135 looks better, but then, this is much more practical. That engine is pure sex. BMW does seem to put out porkers though, needs the addition of lightness.
@PeteJayhawk: Really? I thought they just imported our beaters.
OMG. That is one ugly POS. I'm sure the brainless masses will line up to buy one of these overpriced things.
There are a couple of 1 series hatch diesels in Detroit. Honeywell/Garrett and Bosch have them as turbodiesel demo cars.
@usa1:
Really? It's growing on me. In a perverse fungus-kind of way.
it's a shame :( bring me a 4 door 135 or even a 120d and i'll have a 2008 R32 for sale...well for a 135 :) the 120d could be for the wife and dogs
@badco/LoJ: Actually, it's not so bad. Try this little experiment. Take a piece of paper and cover the bottom of the picture starting just above the front wheel arch and ending just below the taillight. What's left is a pretty sweet Kia.
Then move the paper up to cover the portion you just had obscured. That's a pretty sweet BMW.
@xenti:
Comment on BMW 1-Series Hatchback Spotted With Manufacturer Plates It does come in Diesel, and it gets over 50 MPG.
From what I've heard, the 1-series is better to drive than the R32.
It is, however, quite heavy, not hugely durable, and lacking in either spacious rear seats or a large trunk.
That said, I'd rather just have an RX-8 anyway. How could you possibly buy a 1-series over something with a rotary and suicide doors?
For 2 years I've been saying that if a 120d were US-bound, it would be the first and only new car I'd ever consider buying. Good thing '98 Imprezas last a long time, and are just as ugly.
All of these negative reviews lately (and ridiculous pricing... and inexcusable heft) have really put a damper in my hopes of the 1-series being modern day back-to-basics automotive hoonage grail.
Not to mention that the 2 door looks like the unattractive younger sister of a 3er coupe. And no I will not fix my unfortunate friends up with her, 3-series.
i see a few of these a month here in San Diego, with Baja plates...
these are pretty common renters in germany and austria, and i've driven 1-series a few times. they're pretty fun to drive, and have some decent storage for such a tiny car. i'd consider one if they crossed the pond.
Sportwagone?!?!?
[www.here.org.uk] They look a lot better as a 3 door,top model apart they are underpowered.
Fugly.
BMW has a conundrum on its hands with the one series. They're trying to sell it as an entry level Bimmer, though it's only a few grand less than a three series and it's far too expensive to compete with the GTI's of the world.
From what I've read, the 135 is a nice car -- the classic BMW straight six is to die for.
BMW needs to go back to the pre-Bangle era; 3 series=6cylinder 5 series=V8
**BARF** Damn! most of you guys would buy just about any BMW product wouldn't you? It seems like BMW purposely built a car so heinous just to prove that! :P
MK5 GTI please.
@Vee-Dub:
I wouldn't buy a Bimmer, too expensive/pretensious. I like my MK4 GTI thank you, even though it has too much body roll and understeer (VR6=too much weight on front end). MK5 is much improved.
@crankcase:
Sorry if it sounded like I was referring to you in my response. I wasn't, I was just referring to the people that actually like that....that thing with odd vehicular-like characteristics.
If the tastes of Jalopnik readers was an accurate reflection of the average car buyer, every vehicle would be offered in only two body styles: 5-door hatch (w/ diesel) and 2-door Camino (w/ chevy smallblock).
Keep the 5-door 1-series in Europe. A 4 door sedan might be interesting, though...
@sciamop: You left out Shooting Brake and Sedan Delivery.
@layabout:
Wow, that 3 door is 100 times better looking.
I was going to post that I didn't like this 5 door at all, but would like to see a 2 door hatch, and bam, you have the pic.
@rlj676: I read somewhere 135i 2 door hatch will be going to the US,with 306 bhp. Click link,hope it works! [images.google.co.uk]
I'm torn on the 3-door/5-door...I think that both the Audi A3 and the 1-series look marginally better in 5-door for some reason. I guess I just don't like the expanses/proportions of a lot of 2+2 coupes in general. The extra doors just seem to fill the space a little better, to my eye. I feel the same with the MkV Golf/GTI, as well.
@Vee-Dub:
No need to apologize -- no offense taken whatsoever.
I agree that one must wonder what the car company execs are thinking. Maybe GM was just ahead of their time with the Aztec. Then again, maybe not.
As you know, BMW once made very desirable cars; cars made by and for enthusiasts. They've definitely sold out to the mass market.
It's actually, quite sad.
@crankcase: BMW still do make cars for enthusiasts,it's just because the lower spec models are everywhere that puts the enthusiast off, but top end BMW's are still great to drive.
@layabout:
Here in the states, it's the X3's, X5's and now X6's that are so off putting.
Overall the product line has gotten a bit bloated over the years. The Three series is now pushing 3,500 lbs. (328i). No doubt safety emissions regs have added to that weight gain, but there's no getting around it; weight is the enemy.
Perhaps it is different where you are, but BMW US are cating to those whom status is the uppermost prioity.
@crankcase:
That's catering and priority (damn it!)
@layabout:
That would be a pretty nice option over the 3 series coupe I think. Depends on what the price difference is.
It's a shame the 1 series is nearly as heavy and as expensive as the 3. There's little reason to get the 1 to most it seems.
@crankcase: True,& sadly it is the same in the U.K.,i'd rather a late 80's 325sport over the new stuff they make,as i can't afford a good spec new BMW. I couldn't buy a new basic model just because of that badge.
@rlj676: I agree,from what i have read the basic petrol 1 series isn't as goog as its rivals & costs a lot more. And as you said,when you look at the higher spec 1's it's to close to 3 series money. It's probably about the same money as buying a midsize Jap car for weekdays & an 80's BMW for some weekend fun.
I saw this car at a chilies parking lot in Paramus NJ a few months ago (or another white 1 series 5d) at first I thought it was a Mazda3.