Okay, it's no thoroughbred Italian bull, but the ACS1 2.3d is an example of the Association of German Car Tuners "TUNE IT! SAFE" initiative, which sounds to us like the fun police finally got to the madcap tuners in the fatherland. In any case, this Bimmer's been prepared to look like a real police car, though it's completely unclear which department it might go to, if any. That diesel under the hood's been massaged to an impressive 241 HP and 354 lb-ft of torque, mated to the six speed auto it'll scoot from 0-62 MPH in 6.7 second. The little "Halt" sign's cute too.

Car magazine is reporting the next version of the 1-series, slated for 2011 production will take a different direction compared to the 1er we have today. The new car will come in a variety of body styles including a coupe, a hatchback and a uniquely styled model dubbed the Supersport. The Supersport is the car which gets us worked up, bearing throwback styling like round headlights, eyebrow style turn signals, and a body-ringing character line. The Ess-Ess would slot between the 135i and the M3 with a rumored two-ish liter twin-turbo, direct injection four cylinder with positively felonious power figures, think 300 BHP and about 330 lb-ft of torque.

The other two models would share less raucous styling and get more normal engines, but there's the possibility of a stripped-out model in the form of a 115i, which would more bare bones than any BMW in years. Is it possible? Is BMW listening to the complaints and desires of its enthusiasts? Sounds impossible, but it may be true. [Car]

But the pie’s not just in Beatrice’s face as she was being protected by a police escort, who failed to notice either the forgotten keys or the car being stolen. The vehicle was taken when Beatrice and her guard stopped to visit a shop on London’s Devonshire Place.

The 1-series was given to Beatrice by her father, Prince Andrew, for her 17th birthday. Though the enterprising theif managed to outwit what appears to be a fairly witless royal and her bumbling coterie, the car's personalized numberplate makes the car an easy target for police. While the car contained a variety of personal items, none of them were sensitive to the royal family. You can imagine the police are anxious to catch this cold-blooded, blue-blood-nipping bandit. [via The Telegraph]

BMW ADDS NEW “BMW SEARCH” SERVICE TO BMW ASSISTTM POWERED BY GOOGLE MAPS™.

Available in BMW Assist & Navigation-equipped 2009 BMW 1 & 3 Series Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey – September 15, 2008… BMW introduces access to Google Maps (http://maps.google.com) search capability within the vehicle on 2009 BMW Assist and Navigation system - equipped 1 and 3 Series. For the first time, subscribers to the optional BMW Assist Convenience Plan can access “BMW Search” to quickly find a desired business with just a key word, benefiting from the world’s most famous online search engine. After finding what you want, you can immediately start route guidance or a hands-free call with your Bluetooth® -linked phone at just a simple push of a button.

Utilizing newly introduced hardware operating on the AT&T Mobility GSM network, this unique service identifies the current location and destination of the vehicle automatically and then displays the local results with details of address, phone number and distance. For example, you can look up business information like the names of restaurants, hotels, service stations, banks, supermarkets, cinemas and public facilities such as schools or city halls, all by the simple use of a key word. You can also easily ask for a search at another location.

In a nutshell, “BMW Search” using Google search technology and intelligence saves time and reduces frustration with destination entry on today’s navigation systems. The information you look up is continuously updated by Google. “BMW Search” is the next logical and consequential development of the link between the automobile and the Internet.

To allow customers to send business listings and street addresses with associated phone numbers from the internet directly to their BMW, Google and BMW began offering “MyInfo” with the introduction of the X6 back in April, now extended to all other 2009 BMWs except for X3. “BMW Search” now opens up access to the Internet directly from the vehicle, representing another building block in the BMW Assist services portfolio. About BMW Assist: BMW Assist provides the driver with services that enhance on-the-road security and convenience, for added peace of mind. The BMW Assist and Bluetooth® System is standard on all 5, 6 and 7 Series models, including the M5 and M6, and is included in the Premium Package or available as a stand-alone option on all other models. BMW includes the Safety Plan for 4 years at no additional cost. BMW is the only manufacturer that offers this duration of service as other manufacturers only include the first year of service. The BMW Assist Safety Plan is a subscription based service that is subject to certain limitations.

The in-vehicle equipment integrates GPS technology and hands-free wireless communication functions to deliver emergency and other services, accessed via buttons in the overhead or center console. The BMW Assist system transmits the location and vehicle information to the BMW Assist Response Center. A response specialist speaks with the vehicle occupants to coordinate dispatch, notify emergency contacts on file, and link BMW Roadside Assistance or emergency services as needed and/or requested. A severe accident automatically activates the Automatic Collision Notification function.

The BMW Assist Safety Plan also includes Door Unlock and Stolen Vehicle Recovery services, which can save the driver time and money. New to BMW Assist is MyInfo, which allows users to send business listings and street addresses with associated phone numbers from the internet, directly to their BMW. TeleService automatically notifies the BMW center when the vehicle will need service. A service advisor then proactively calls the customer to set up a convenient appointment and have the needed parts ready.

BMW Assist subscribers can also enroll in the BMW Assist Convenience Plan (available at an additional cost of $199 per year) to avail themselves of BMW Assist concierge services; from finding the lowest fuel price or the best French restaurant in the area to information on flight arrival gates or times, as well as receiving directions, traffic and weather information. On most models produced September 2006 and later, a selected destination and its phone number can be sent directly to the BMW Navigation system and the subscriber’s Bluetooth - linked mobile phone, after a push of the Concierge menu option. New for 2009 is BMW Search, which allows online access to the Google Maps database inside the vehicle to quickly find a desired business with just a key word. The Convenience Plan also includes Critical Calling, a service that can connect the driver to a requested party via a response specialist in case their mobile phone is not in the vehicle or its battery is discharged.

Lastly, the BMW Assist system includes Bluetooth hands-free calling and phone connectivity with phonebook access and speech recognition for dialing by name or number via steering wheel controls. Use of this feature requires a customer-provided compatible Bluetooth mobile phone. To learn more about BMW Assist, please visit www.bmwassist.com.

[via Bimmer File]

Suitability Parameters:
Speed Merchants: No
Fashion Victims: Yes
Treehuggers: No
Mack Daddies: No
Tuner Crowd: Yes
Hairdressers: Yes
Penny Pinchers: No
Euro Snobs: Yes
Working Stiffs: No
Technogeeks: No
Poseurs: No
Soccer Moms: No
Nascar Dads: No
Golfing Grandparents: No
Very Serious Businessmen: No
Sheiklets: No

Also Consider:
• 2009 Subaru WRX
• E46 BMW M3
• E39 BMW M5
• 2009 Chevy Corvette
• 996 Porsche 911
• Lotus Elise SC and packing lightly
• 1990 BMW 325is w/springs and dampers; Yokohama AVS Intermediates; K&N filter; chip; exhaust; rebuilt engine and gearbox; $36,000 in your pocket.

Vitals:
• Manufacturer: BMW
• Model year: 2009
• Base Price: $35,600
• Price as Tested: $46,945
• Engine type: 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-six
• Horsepower: 300 @ 5800 RPM
• Torque: 300 @ 1400-5000 RPM
• Transmission: 6-Speed Automatic
• Curb Weight: 3384 LB
• LxWxH: 171.7" x 68.8" x 55.4
• Wheelbase: 104.7"
• Tires: 205/50R-17 / 225/45R-17
• 0 - 60 mph: 5.2 seconds
• Top Speed: 150 MPH
• 1/4 Mile: 13.6 seconds @102 MPH
• EPA Fuel economy city/highway: 17/25 MPG
• NHTSA crash test rating: TBA

Also See:
• 2009 BMW 135i, Part One
• 2009 BMW 135i, Part Two

Acceleration: *****
The twin-turbo 3.0-liter inline-six is the pick of BMW’s range, providing its bigger, heavier cars with ample acceleration. Here, it’s ridiculously fast for a non-M car, and much, much torquier too. You can pretty much leave the gearbox in third for any serious driving, using the low-down grunt to carry you out of corners and the high-end rush to blast you down straights.

Braking: ****
Excellent both in town and at higher speeds, we couldn’t provoke any fade, which is not something we can say of most Bimmers.

Ride:***
Firm but controlled, just like a European performance car should be.

Handling: **
As a BMW fan, it hurts me to do this, but I’m knocking a star off for failing to live up to expectations. The BMW is a three-star handler when you want it to merit five stars. Sure it’s rear wheel drive, sure it’s got firm springs and dampers, but when pushed, it doesn’t communicate with nor involve the driver to the degree a true sports car should. It’s still fast, but beyond the sensation of speed, it’s just not fun or rewarding to drive.

Gearbox: ***
We’ve driven 135is with both manual and automatic transmissions. This time around we got lumped with an autobox. At normal speeds it’s fine, if unremarkable. At higher speeds it’s too keen to upshift, meaning planting the throttle results in several seconds of downshifting delay before the acceleration you want is achieved. Overriding the system with BMW’s frustrating paddle system results in reasonably fast shifts, but since both paddles go forward and back, you’ll be pushing one or the other the wrong way if you try to shift in a hurry. Luckily, you don’t need to shift much in the 135i, so by just selecting third gear, then getting on with driving, you don’t have to deal with the gearbox at all.

Audio: ****
Ours came with the optional $400 iPod adapter, $2100 iDrive Navigation and $595 Sirius radio. It sounded great and connected easily to an iPhone, which was also easy to control via iDrive. Sirius is also our preference over the more-common XM. We wouldn’t want to pay for these options ourselves though; the inline-six soundtrack is all we need.

Toys: ****
If you’ve used any previous generation of iDrive, you’ll be amazed by how simple and intuitive it is to use now. The best car-based human/machine interface on the market, it provides easy, eyes-free access to the decent navigation system and all the secondary functions.

Value: *
If the 135i handled, we’d be giving it at least three stars for value. But it doesn’t. So instead of a driver’s car, you’re paying $35,600 (base) for a car with compromised packaging. The $46,945 as-tested-here price is absolutely scandalous and leaves us wondering why anyone would spend this kind of money on a 1-series. The 2009 Subaru WRX starts at just $24,850, has real driver involvement, similar performance numbers and in hatchback form, real practicality. We couldn’t justify a 135i for ten grand more, but especially not for 20 grand more.

In case you’re wondering, our car was equipped with $500 metallic paint, $600 cold weather package (heated seats and a ski bag), $3,400 Premium Package (power seats and some fancy, but irrelevant doodads), $1,200 Sport Package (Sports seats and thicker steering wheel + paddles), $1,325 automatic transmission, $2,100 navigation system (iDrive), $400 iPod adapter, $595 Sirius radio, $350 rear parking radar and an $825 destination and handling fee. Sure, we’d eliminate most of that if we were spending our own money (which we wouldn’t), but the 135i is still damn expensive.

Overall: **
A nice little car that’s insanely overpriced, sacrifices practicality and space for a longitudinal inline-six and rear wheel drive, which it then fails to take advantage of to become a real driver’s car. Great engine though.

Also see:
• 2009 BMW 135i, Part One

After the election? Really? Sure, that makes sense, seeing as BMW's future North American lineup will vary depending on future legislation. But we thought ze Germans were all about über efficiency, technology, and whatnot anyways, no matter what our stupid politics are. Oh well, either way, it sounds like the perfect engine to stick in a 1-Series tii. [via BimmerFile][image]

I’m certainly hoping so. The former owner of two E30s (a 1990 325is and a 1992 325iC), I’ve been left out in the cold by recent BMW products. Those E30s represented, to me at least, the perfect blend of sportiness and luxury. Just big enough for two people (four in a pinch) to ride in the supportive and comfy leather-clad, manual adjusting Recaros the E30 was almost two cars in one. You could choose to cruise around in a nice, classy looking luxury car or you could put the hammer down and out-drive Porsches on mountain roads. At 2865 lb (coupe) they were light. At 168 HP and 164 lb-ft they were, for the time, fast and even by modern standards they were torquey and smooth. More importantly, they put nothing between the driver and driving, they were real, honest to god, sports cars.

So hopping into the 135i on my way out of New York, I was really hoping to be able to recapture the sense of driving involvement BMWs since that time have slowly lost. Initial signs were good. Very good. Surprised by the amount of instantaneous power on offer, within 500 feet I had the car sideways on a highway on-ramp, my girlfriend’s motion sick sister screaming in the back seat.

The engine dominates initial driving impressions, overwhelming you with its torque and smoothness. Powerful enough to hussle the 4894 lb behemoth that is the BMW X6, here, in a car only a fraction of the size, it’s incredible. Driving it north on I-87, 3,000 RPM is enough to belt you into three figure, license-losing speeds much faster than expected. Delve into the higher RPMs and it feels M3 fast. BMW still knows how to build great engines, and this is probably the best of them.

Things settle down when you readjust yourself to how quickly the 135i can gather speed. Inside the cabin, the little Bimmer is a nice place to spend time. Only a little bit bigger on the inside than an E30, it’s luxurious in the front seat and offers rear seat passengers just enough space they’ll shut up and stop complaining — eventually.

Back when I was in school, I’d sneak out early every Sunday and take my E30 for a spin around a secret country route. Not able to do that every weekend now that I’m all grown up and Ray expects me to get work done, I nevertheless have a similar place that I go in the Catskills anytime I’m handed the keys to something fast. I took the Audi R8 there, the BMW M3 and the Jag XKR too. And that’s where I’m headed in the 135i. Out of all of them, this is the one I’m most excited about. The power, the size, the badge, this is the car for me. At least that’s what I thought until I got up there.

The backroads in the Catskills are narrow, tree-lined and gravel strewn. To go fast you need to have ultimate confidence in your car. That confidence comes through feel and feel is something the 135i doesn’t have. The steering wheel is dead around center, before firming up when turned. But it’s weight, not response that you’re getting. With all the silly nannies switched off, the 135i will oversteer with the best of them. But up here you need to know before that happens and in this car you don’t. Nor does the car reward driver input with involvement. I hate to say it, but the 135i is a fast, but ultimately, boring car to drive.

So here you have everything that should make a great a great BMW: the longitudinal six, rear wheel drive, small dimensions. But in the 135i you get the impression that those are more branding elements than something engineers have included for their fundamental rightness. Creating a car with the packaging compromises of a performance vehicle, but none of the things that would make those compromises worthwhile.

Is the 135i the simple, well-engineered driver’s car that will recapture the hearts of enthusiasts everywhere? I’m sad to report that it isn’t.

eBay seller description

All installed options are BMW Performance parts - carrying full BMW warranty.

Upgraded options as follows: Carbon Fiber Rear Spoiler, Carbon Fiber Mirror Covers, Performance Steering Wheel, Lower Rear Carbon Fiber Difuser, Retrofit Front Suspension, Performance Exhaust System, Carbon Fiber Strut Brace, Wheel and Tire Kit, BMW Performance cross-drilled rotors with Brembo Brakes, Aluminum Pedel Set, Aluminum Footrest, Custom Paint, Ceramic Window Tint and so much more - see attached photo for installed options - ALL of this is over and above the factory options on this vehicle - Premium Package, Sport Pacakge, Active Steering, Black Trim, Premium Hi-Fi Sound System Lumbar Seats, and so much more!!!!

OMG, triple exclamation points!!!

[eBay Motors via Motive Forums]

Suitability Parameters:
Speed Merchants: No
Fashion Victims: Yes
Treehuggers: No
Mack Daddies: No
Tuner Crowd: No
Hairdressers: Yes
Penny Pinchers: No
Euro Snobs: Yes
Working Stiffs: No
Technogeeks: Yes
Poseurs: Yes
Soccer Moms: No
Nascar Dads: No
Golfing Grandparents: Yes

Also Consider:
• VW Eos
• Mini Cooper S Convertible
• Mazda MX-5
• Volvo C70
• A well-sorted 1992 325i convertible with Eibach springs and shocks, Yokohama AVS Intermediates, AP Racing brakes, a K&N filter, Borla exhaust, performance chip, a sweet 5-speed manual and performance driving lessons.

Vitals:
• Manufacturer: BMW
• Model year: 2008
• Base Price: $33,100
• Price as Tested: $33,100 plus a Suzuki ($47,395)
• Engine type: 3.0-Liter DOHC I6
• Horsepower: 230 @ 6,500 RPM
• Torque: 200 @ 2,750 RPM
• Transmission: 6-Speed STEPTRONIC Automatic Transmission
• Curb Weight: 3,571 lbs
• LxWxH: 171.7" x 68.8" x 58.0"
• Wheelbase: 104.7"
• Tires: P205/55R17
• 0 - 60 mph: 7.0 Seconds
• EPA Fuel economy city/highway: 18/27 MPG
• NHTSA crash test rating: NA

Also see:

• 2008 BMW 128i Convertible, Part One
• 2008 BMW 128i Convertible, Part Two

Acceleration: ***
In the sportiest of modes, which requires nudging the shifter to the left and pushing the button on the dash, the heavy convertible manages to trot to 60 mph in a reasonable 7.0 seconds, slightly faster than the 328i Convertible. Unfortunately, the whole process is, and I feel strange saying this about a car, a bit mechanical. There's no rush of speed, no woosh of sound, just a car competently completing the task it's presented with.

Braking: ***
The one place where the BMW doesn't feel as heavy as it is, is when it comes to stopping. There are a variety of electronics involved, including automatic Brake Fade Compensation, but in this instance there's no loss of feel. Step on the brakes and all that heft comes to a fulfilling stop.

Ride: **
If you were to drive the BMW 128i along a straight, bumpy road you'd be excited. All that jostling must indicate there's some sort of highly tweaked and insanely fun suspension lurking beneath you. The problem is, there's not.

Handling: ***
What initially feels like a responsive rear wheel drive chassis turns out to be disappointingly underwhelming. Switch the plethora of electronic nannies off and all you get is a soft, unpredictable, unsporty drive. Still, it's competent and capable of a somewhat satisfying turn of speed, just not the responsive, lithe revelation we'd hoped for.

Gearbox: **
Err... which mode? There's the regular, boring hands-off automatic six-speed that's too slow or the thumb paddle-interfaced version that's too confusing. The sport option is the best choice for those, like me, always in a hurry to get where they're going.

Audio: ****
Maybe it's because of the lo-fi music I listen to, but the 10-speaker stereo managed to keep me in tunes through the noisy top-down conditions. Even better, the satellite radio is easier to navigate with the newer iDrive system, meaning that I can swap between Grandmaster Flash and Cat Power without having to complete any post-graduate programming classes. The BMW also features an adjustable audio auxiliary port for my iPod.

Toys: ****
When configuring this particular press fleet vehicle, the folks at BMW must have gone on a box-checking spree. Xenon headlights? Check. Comfort access. Check. USB-port? Check. Voice dialing? Check. Automatic dimmers? Check. Mirrors that bend downward when parallel parking? Check. Navigation with traffic updates? Check. And as much as people like to criticize the iDrive system, after a few minutes I found this version to be fairly easy to use. But, we'd trade it all for less weight, more communication and a better drive.

Value: *
At approximately $33,100, a base-priced 128i comes in $10,100 below the larger 328i despite sharing the same engine and basically the same chassis. That would be good deal as the extra room you get in the back of the 3-Series isn't $10,000 worth of space. Unfortunately, to get a fully loaded baby Bimmer you're going to be out $47,395. Even with our current currency issues our money goes a little further than that.

Overall: **
Underwhelmingly adequate isn't a phrase normally associated with BMW's products, nor one that we want to use to describe them. Unfortunately, the 2008 BMW 128i suffers too much from its own hype. There are those that may argue it should be judged in a vacuum, avoiding comparisons to either the older E30 3-Series or even older 2002. But that's what BMW promised and then failed to deliver. At the end of the day, it's a three star car with four star ambitions at a five star price, which means giving it more than two stars would be overly generous.

Also see:

• 2008 BMW 128i Convertible, Part One
• 2008 BMW 128i Convertible, Part Three

Alas, this isn't that car. Meaning I look ridiculous only for the amusement of Mark. The new 1-Series, at least in 128i trim, is only going to fulfill the desire of a trophy wife lusting after a toy taken from the profits of her hubby's burgeoning orthodontic practice, or perhaps for old men who find the Z4 too two-seatery. BMW is lucky in that, as niches go, that one is large enough to require a specific model. The enthusiast community is the loser here. This new Bimmer is just too heavy, too complicated and too expensive to be mentioned in the same breathe as the much-loved E30.

It isn't obvious by looking at the 128i standing by itself that the smallest BMW is such a porker. BMW's flame surfacing is toned down to Zippo level with only the straight crease across the beltline and the curved line running wheel to wheel as indicators that this is part of the company's Bangleized look. Unlike the coupe version, there's no too-tall greenhouse to distort proportions. In fact, its large eyes and kidney grille entice the driver to hop in and enjoy a bit of fast, topless fun. But once you do get in, that desire quickly turns into annoyance and then boredom.

Before you can even turn the key you... well, you can't even turn the key. You have to push the start button (as nightmares of Vista dance in your head). Then interface with the iDrive system to select the navigation screen, but only after you agree that using a GPS system while driving is bad and subsequently relinquish your ability to sue BMW for directing you into a ditch. Then click the iDrive a few more times to select a radio station and poke at the multiple switches to adjust the sport seats into a comfortable position. All this involves more button pushes and time than it takes me to transfer funds, check balances and otherwise completely reorganize my meager finances at an ATM.

Once you actually start moving even more obstacles appear between you and an ideal driving experience. The six-speed STEPTRONIC automatic transmission our car came with offers a variety of ways not to enjoy the engine's potential power. Assuming you want to do none of the shifting yourself you have the choice between the painfully slow standard mode, which makes quick shifts way earlier than you'd want them, or the sportier mode, which lets you enjoy those precious lower gears slightly longer. Assuming you prefer the hands-on approach, you can bounce the shifter up and down or blip one of the two thumb paddles located behind the steering wheel. Of all the options I preferred the sport setup with the occasional nudge, usually in the wrong direction, of the shifter. The 1-series uses BMW ridiculously unintuitive new paddle set up, both the left and right move forward and back instead of the traditional right for up, left for down. It doesn't sound that bad, but if you've ever driven another paddle-equipped vehicle you'll end up up shifting every time you go to shift either way.

The 128i's normally aspirated 3.0-liter inline-six is zippy if not particularly powerful, providing 230 horsepower and 200 ft.-lbs of torque. Whatever oomph is there is, unfortunately, is misused by the transmission. Driving fast, in a straight-line, you find yourself a gear ahead of where you'd like to be, grasping for the 7,000 RPM redline which remains nothing but a red-painted promise. It should be no shock then that the 0-60 time for the automatic is 0.6 seconds slower (at 7.0) than the same car equipped with a manual transmission. There's a finely tuned rumble to the i6, but it's merely a tease the transmission can't fulfill.

And speaking of being unfulfilled, the handling is anything but enjoyable. Mark and I randomly met up with a gentleman driver more familiar with the lay-of-the-land who was piloting a radar detector-equipped BMW Z3 and offered to lead us on a drive through some of the twistier roadways of the suburbs. It required a serious effort to keep up with him as the little Bimmer's suspension (borrowed mostly from the 3-Series) fought against the rapid changes in direction. Considering the car weighs in at 3,494 pounds, not even 300 pounds lighter than the much roomier 328i Convertible, there's not the light-and-easy toss-ability you'd hope would be present. The stiff suspension keeps the hefty cabriolet relatively flat when it starts to accrue G's, but at the price of a bumpy ride over less-than-perfect roads.

If you press the Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) button on the dash, things get slightly better. Power comes a bit quicker and, when pushing the car to its limits, there's a little less insistence from the BMW that it knows more than you about driving. But push too hard while cornering and the power suddenly vanishes. It's not so much a nanny preventing you from having fun as it is an electronic compensation for an inherently un-exploitable chassis

This doesn't mean I couldn't enjoy driving people around in the 128i with the top down. The next day I found myself cruising around the smooth roads encircling Wisconsin's Lake Geneva with my lady friend, blasting old school hip hop through the sound system, which made me feel less like a douche and more like a poser, but a content poser. The car is still a BMW convertible and therefore is a stylish and comfortable way to slowly cruise by jealous onlookers. Though perhaps they wouldn't be jealous if they knew how much it costs. This one's got more options than any one person could possibly use, driving the suggested base from $33,100 up to $47,395, a sum King Solomon himself would blink at.

Leaving the Lake Geneva area I defied the GPS and chose a path that would give me a bit more time to experience the car on some unrestricted back roads. Unfortunately, the 128i isn't as refined as the price might suggest. There's so much wind and noise intrusion, even with the windows up, that when we reached higher speeds my passenger pleaded with me to switch to top-up driving so that we could hear our own thoughts and each other. I happily complied because she was both nice to look at and interact with. I wish I could say the little BMW boasted the same characteristics.

Also see:

• 2008 BMW 128i Convertible, Part Three
• 2008 BMW 128i Convertible, Part Two

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)

The Ramp, Part 1

The Ramp, Part 2

The Ramp. Part 3

Download the high res version at the site "Jeff Schultz" has set up for the movie: Rampenfest.com

Woe unto thee in cubical farms, for this is our greatest attempt yet to get you canned

Your wheel choices are the HARTGE Classic 2 or the HARTGE Classic 2, with a wide range of Pirelli and Continental tires including a 9x19" 255/30ZR 19/8 x19" 225/35ZR rear/front setup. [Source: HARTGE]

The models were kind enough to run it up and down for us a couple of times and it seems to work well. The interior is same as on the current car, but the headliner is a strange stretchy cloth that does the job of covering up the top's inner workings. The little trim detail which runs along the edge of the top is a nice brushed piece of stainless steel, adding to the overall precise look nicely. Now if only they can down what is sure to be a ridiculously high price tag.

There we were mid day sun cutting through the crisp winter air, salt like a lick on the street surface, mano y mano. Brand new BMW 135i with a flappy paddle shifter versus '99 Audi A4 2.8 manual. Wisps of exhaust drifting in the breeze. Green. Wooooooooooooooosh! Clutch, shift, woooooooooosh, clutch, shift. We kept things civil and didn't go past the speed limit, but sweet merciful crap, that thing is fast. Honestly there was no chance to start, who are we to turn down a couple of runs? Do want.

The video is supposedly the work of an American videographer named Jeff Schultz. Jeff's Youtube account is suspiciously centered around this odd 454 meter tall ramp he happened to find in the a Bavarian hamlet named "Oberpfaffelbachen." Amusingly, the city of Oberpfaffelbachen is not a real place, this much has been confirmed with the most Bavarian of our associates. If you were to follow the lead of Jeff's profile on the site, you would end up at his wordpress blog - a seemingly clumsy attempt at keeping everybody updated on his ongoing wanderings through Bavaria. Now if you're paying attention, you'll notice the odd "Oberpfaffelbachen" keyword prominently displayed. A little Google searching will reveal the towns homepage - and that's where the the whole thing starts looking like the viral advertising it is.

Oberpfaffelbachen's fictional web site makes it seem like any other idyllic German town. The site is complete with an 'About' section, profiles of the town council (one of whom has a Friendster profile), a little history, and most importantly, all sorts of allusions to an upcoming commemoration of the fictitious ramp. The pomp and circumstance even humorously includes a "Miss Ramp" pageant (Send in your pictures right now! The qualifications are you must be female, older than 21 and willing to e-mail them your picture!). It even has a a fairly amusing "Welcome to Oberpfaffelbachen" video from the "mayor".

But let's get down to brass tacks. What the hell is the ramp all about and what the hell is "Rampenfest." Heading over to that section of the site is where the viral marketing becomes clear. It seems that rather than ship the BMW 1-series across the ocean, BMW is planning on launching the little car to the US by way of an imaginary 454 meter ramp set up in the imaginary little burg:

"What is Rampenfest? Only the most amazing event in the history of Bavaria. To celebrate the launch of the new BMW 1-Series in America, we have constructed a gigantish Ramp to launch a BMW 1-Series into America. Our ramp stands an impressive 454 meters — tall enough to launch a 300-horsepower 1-Series over the Atlantic and into America!"

While we could be wrong on all accounts here, this seems like the makings of an absolutely epic viral marketing effort if we're right about where BMW is going with this concept. For the moment, we're willing to suspend disbelief and hoist our fictional steins high until we find out for certain where this twisted tale of super amazing rampage across the ocean leads. {Hat tip to Adam Frucci!)

Press Release:

BMW CONCEPT 1 SERIES tii MAKES NORTH AMERICAN DEBUT AT CHICAGO AUTO SHOW Woodcliff Lake, NJ - February 2008...

The BMW Concept 1 Series tii makes its North American debut at the 2008 Chicago Auto Show, bringing with it an uncompromising character of responsiveness, lightness, and sportiness. Based on the new BMW 1 Series Coupe, this design study represents the natural evolution of the BMW compact two-door with a clear focus on performance.

With its aerodynamically optimized body, a wide range of lightweight features designed to minimize weight and achieve ideal weight distribution, this concept study reflects a high level of driving dynamics. The interior has also been tailored to the serious driver. In its design, the BMW Concept 1 Series tii builds on the traditional features and characteristics of past BMW sports cars. Immediately apparent are features which made numerous BMW Coupes successes on both the road and the track back in the 1960s and '70s.

These were cars characterized by compact dimensions, low weight with perfect balance front-to-rear, as well as powerful engines that conveyed that power to the rear wheels. The renowned BMW 2002, introduced back in 1968, was acknowledged as the epitome of agility and dynamic driving character. The new BMW 1 Series Coupe represents the same philosophy: Light, agile, and powerful.

The BMW Concept 1 Series tii brings out all these strengths and shows how much the development principles which applied more than four decades ago are still appropriate today when setting out to create a truly unique driving experience. Traditional and modern: lightweight construction as the basic principle, CFP as the solution.

BMW Concept 1 Series tii combines visual features carried over from the past with the most advanced technology available. Its basic principle rests on traditional values, while high-tech materials and applications are used to maximize its performance potential. To save weight and ensure an ideal weight balance, selected components on BMW Concept 1 Series tii are made of carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (CFP).

Apart from the hood and mirror caps, the inlays on the side air intakes in the front air dam, the Gurney flap on the trunk lid, and the inlay in the rear bumper are all made of this extremely light and exceptionally strong material. From a distance these components appear to be black - it is only on closer inspection that the fine carbon-fiber structure of the surface covered by transparent, matt paintwork becomes visible.

The dark surface of the CFP hood reduces the reflection of sunlight, promoting driver concentration in the process. The wide, white sunglare strip at the top of the windshield serves the same purpose, minimizing any dazzle effect when the sun is low on the horizon. Black, white and blue - traditional BMW colors. The contrasting effect created by the Alpine White paintwork and the dark CFP components results from fundamental functional requirements. This contrasting color scheme is also a major styling feature which characterizes the appearance of the BMW Concept 1 Series tii.

In order to accentuate the character of the car, decal stripes extend from the headlights all the way to the spoiler on the trunk lid. The large Gurney flap, made from CFP, covers the entire width of the car. On the hood the stripes come in white, on the roof and the rear lid they continue in black. The color blue may be seen on less exposed parts such as the brake calipers, one of the five wheel bolts on each rim, and on the tow-hook receiver in the front air dam which - in typical motorsport fashion - is exposed. The contrast of black and white and the discreet use of blue create a trinity of colors which reflect BMW's brand logo, bearing testimony to a great heritage.

Front-end design: aerodynamics optimized to the last detail. The design of the car, in addition top the striking colors, also makes the BMW Concept 1 Series tii distinct from the standard BMW 1 Series Coupe. Besides the use of CFP, the front air dam, the side-sills and the rear bumper as well as the trunk lid are all new designs. The objective was to optimize the car's aerodynamic qualities and reflect the dynamic nature of BMW Concept 1 Series tii. To meet the demands of such a car, the structure of the front air dam differs significantly from the air dam in regular production models.

The side air intakes are coated inside with CFP and the front air dam is flanked with air splitters. These air guidance elements ensure a specific downward flow of air. Some of the air flows into the side intakes, the rest beneath the car. Also carried over from motorsport is the arrangement of fins along the edges of the hood which serve to optimize the flow of air. These air guidance strips promote the car's aerodynamic qualities and enhance driving stability at high speeds.

The benefit of this technique was proven back in the mid-1970s on the BMW 3.0 CSL. The BMW kidney grille on the BMW Concept1 Series tii is also a special design. The traditional bars, as found on the BMW 1 Series Coupe and other production models, have been replaced by a wide honeycomb grid. Dark trim bars on the headlights highlight the striking dual round headlights behind clear covers as is typical of modern BMWs. Side view: classic silhouette, muscular design.

The BMW 1 Series Coupe shares the three-box proportions that have been characteristic of BMW Coupes for decades - the clear distinction between the engine compartment, the passenger cell, and the luggage compartment. Together with the greenhouse set back and the gently tapered roofline extending back at a striking angle, the long hood gives the car an unmistakable silhouette.

The sporty profile of the BMW Concept 1 Series tii is further enhanced by side-sills developed specifically for this design study. The light contour edge rises slightly toward the rear accentuating the wedge shape of the silhouette and gives the car an even lower and more dynamic look. The round opening in the side-sills directly in front of the rear wheel optimizes the flow of air and at the same time guides the eye to the rear wheels, where the power of the engine is conveyed to the road. BMW Concept 1 Series tii rolls on 18-inch light-alloy rims in a five-spoke design and dark chrome color scheme developed specifically for this design study. Perfect flow of air determines the design of the rear end.

This focus on optimum aerodynamics continues into the design of the rear end, where the body of the BMW Concept 1 Series tii is again specially designed for smooth air flow and the specific requirements of outstanding driving dynamics. The air contour lip on the trunk lid, the so-called Gurney, is far larger than on the "regular" BMW 1 Series Coupe. Made of CFP for lightness, this component, through its shape and dimensions, helps to generate maximum downforce on the rear wheels at high speeds to give the car even greater driving stability. The inlay in the rear bumper is likewise made of carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic. Its three-piece structure reflects the graphics of the air intakes at the front of the car. The diffuser split by two bars, in turn, ensures a controlled flow of air along the lower part of the car, reducing air swirl at the rear to a minimum.

Interior design continuing the car's sporting line. The interior of the BMW Concept 1 Series tii is an ideal place to experience pure driving pleasure, with the emphasis squarely on performance. This can be seen, first, by the color scheme carried over from the exterior and, second, by a wide range of features derived directly from motorsport. While the interior takes up the black-and-white contrast of the car's exterior, the balance of colors is reversed. Like the dark CFP elements on the exterior, white-painted surfaces inside the car add highlights at a few carefully selected points - the grab handles on the doors and the spokes on the sports steering wheel.

This creates a striking and powerful visual effect, since these features are not only important eye-catchers, but are actually used relatively often. The use of the color blue within the interior puts the focus squarely on the driver. Blue seat seams and a blue decal ring at the bottom of the gearshift lever provide visual highlights befitting the BMW brand. The seat belt on the driver's seat also comes in this color. The seat belts on the other three seats, by contrast, are in silver, which is also the color of the seat seams. This distinction offers a sign as to which of the four seats is the most appealing. Tailored to the driver, built for driving pleasure.

The interior design of the BMW Concept 1 Series tii is tailored specifically to the driver, applying principles known to offer an intense and successful driving experience in motorsport. Dominant use of dark colors within the interior, for example, makes it easier for the driver to concentrate fully on the road and traffic. The surface trim on the A-pillars and roof lining in anthracite forms one unit with the instrument panel, the door and side panels. Finished in black alcantara, the instrument panel - like the dark hood on the BMW Concept 1 Series tii - helps to avoid any reflection of ight which might impair the driver's concentration.

The design of the instrument cluster also reflects the usual style and focus in motorsport. The white face of the tachometer with its red indicators attracts more attention than the dark face on the speedometer. The sports steering wheel is the perfect interface between driver and machine. Finished in alcantara, the steering wheel rim offers particularly good grip, giving the driver maximum control even in fast maneuvers. The sports bucket seats in the BMW Concept 1 Series tii, finished in a combination of alcantara and leather, offer abundant lateral support. The seats include integrated headrests and side airbags. Last, but not least, the rear passengers also enjoy a sporting and low seating position.

The model designation on the door cutout strips rounds out the individual ambience within the BMW Concept 1 Series tii. The linings in the footwells, lastly, are made of a new, particularly hard-wearing material texture reminiscent of the CFP components. Traditional values, modern concept, unique result. Inside and out, from every perspective and in all its details, the BMW Concept 1 Series tii conveys a clear message: to offer uncompromising driving pleasure.

In developing this design study, BMW's engineers and designers took the opportunity to combine traditional values with the latest technology. In the process they benefited from the new BMW 1 Series Coupe which provided a modern car concept which authentically captures the sporting roots of the brand. The BMW Concept 1 Series tii shows which highlights were applied in the car's development and what potential the BMW 1 Series Coupe has in terms of sporting performance. The looks of BMW Concept 1 Series tii highlight the thrill of motorpsort and the heritage of the BMW brand.

Designers focused the design process on BMW's compact two-door models from the 1960s and '70s. At the time, those cars made an important contribution to the development of the brand and of BMW as a company while becoming the very epitome of unparalleled driving pleasure. These cars owed their success to features typical of BMW even then and still offer a unique driving thrill today: low weight, powerful engines, rear-wheel drive with outstanding agility. These factors for success still apply today. At the same time the demands made by the customer have changed significantly, as has the potential offered by modern technology and BMW's model range.

The number of segments in which BMW is represented today is larger than ever, so the brand offers The Ultimate Driving Machine in many different guises. But the concept of The Ultimate Driving Machine remains just as relevant and popular as the day the phrase was first coined. This is particularly true of the BMW 1 Series Coupe. No other car offers equally dynamic driving characteristics, simply because no other brand offers comparable heritage and experience in the production of sporting and compact two-door models. This made it all the more tempting to push the performance potential of this model to the absolute limit in the form of the BMW Concept 1 Series tii.