2008 BMW 1 Series Coupe
June 29, 2007 by Alborz Fallah
Oh yes, its the BMW 1 series and its set to come to the ring with an all new looks and powerplants. BMW have decided to build a 1 series coupe. The 1 series, despite its low price has not enjoyed a great deal of success, but its fortunes are set to change.
The new generation 1 series is designed for those wanting something bigger than a Mini Cooper but still smaller than a 1 series. The new 1 Series comes equipped with a lightweight aluminum front suspension and five-link rear axle. The car will also feature frameless doors, new L-shaped taillamps with LED highlights as much more.
It seems as though BMW have given the 1 series some of the characteristics of its bigger brother, the 3 series, a move that will surely increase sales.
The new model range will include the 128i and the 135i. In case you’re salivating over the possibility that the 135i shares the same 3.0-litre twin turbo engine as the 335i, keep on drooling, because it does!
The 128i is powered by a 3.0-litre, 169kW engine, while our soon to be favourite BMW, the 135i is blessed with the twin-turbo 3.0-litre which puts out in excess of 235kW and goes from 0-100km/hr in 5.3-seconds.
The 135i is well equipped, with a M style body kit, sports suspension, 18-inch wheels wrapped in 215/40 for the front and 245/35 at the back. The 135i also gets six-piston fixed calipers at the front supported by two-piston fixed calipers at the back.
Pricing is still unconfirmed, but the 135i will undoubtedly shake up the small-luxury performance car market. BMW will unveil the new 1 series coupes at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show in September. We can’t wait.
Print it: 
looks like a hyundai accent from the rear,ugh
I have driven a 1series 120i quite a bit and was left thinking “What a bloody rip-off!”. Uncomfortable, unpleasent, hard to get in and out of, underpowered, high revving, fuel guzzling. No useable cup holders! Rubbish!
I’ve got a friend who happens to work at a BMW dealership so I thought I’d go and see what the cars are like (he mentioned some nice M series and a Maserati were around at the time as well)..
Having had a look at a few X3s, X5s, 3 series and 5 series (no 7 series).. can I just ask who the hell says that BMW interiors are of benchmark quality? the black leather interiors especially are just horrific in their rough and unsmooth surface touch, (dash and seats) and they are sooo bland, nothing too different betwen the range of series there, ok so one might have a touch of wood grain look to it and others silver metallic, but I really didn’t feel like it was something ‘oh so special’ and these are brand new cars, yet to be sold.
I highly recommend sitting in a Lexus (any model) and then sitting in a BMW one it makes you wonder which brand is over rated :P
not to mention, the leather in the BMW was probably a $5000 option, while it comes standard in the Lex
1-Series buyers are as stupid as the car itself and that coupe looks terrible.
I know. The interiors are awfull. A friend just sold his 120i for an x3 and I just do not like the interiors. Our colt and 380 are nicer
what a beautiful car, elegant and sporty styling, powerful engine to match with low fuel consumption and and best handling car around, not to mention safest also and of course the most fun to drive.
“The 128i is powered by a 3.0-litre, 169kW engine, while our soon to be favourite BMW, the 135i is blessed with the twin-turbo 3.0-litre which puts out in excess of 235kW and goes from 0-100km/hr in 5.3-seconds.”
I thought the second part of the numbers was meant to represent the engine capacity? So the 128 – by that logic – would be a 2.8ltr, etc. Is that not how they do it? Man, I’ve been living a lie!
it is to an extent mate
but they already have a 130i, so they cant have another one!
most europeans have some quirky numbering systems. Saab used to put 1.8T on the back of their cars, even though they are powered by a 2.0-litre turbo! figure that one?
Mercedes do it as well..
It looks pretty good, apart from the sagging bootlid line; the back lights look like original authentic BMW. The interior space will be awful though.
Myke, the interior space in the coupe is 133mm longer than the current hatchback, so the rear seats should no longer be cramped. Besides, the hatchback has always had heaps of room up front, so this should be a delight. How long do we have to wait until it hits our showrooms……………Feb 2008? Alborz any ideas?
I urge you to go drive Volvo’s new C30 T5 auto or manual and then tell me you like that rubbish under-spec,overpriced BMW 1 series!
I’m utterly convinced that the C30 T5 manual would out shoot a Golf GTI on any corner to corner stretch.
“but they already have a 130i, so they cant have another one!”
So should it not be 130ci ?
There is little doubt that all the current BMWs are pretty ugly cars. Lexus, Audi and Mercedes definitely have them beat on aesthetics. But lets not forget why we really drive BMWs. Everyone thinks my 130i looks like a girl’s car but it has the world’s greatest inline 6 cylinder engine that simply canes most cars on the road. It handles well but not too well so you can still slide the back out with DTS on. The engine has a beautiful sound that no iPod can beat. It has bigger brakes than most of the big cars around and has incredible stopping power. I’m going to upgrade to a 135i, preferably a hatch but I’ll accept the ugly looking coupe, and give my wife the 130i as a hand me down. She is already drooling at the prospect. I will then be able to drive the highest evolution of the BMW inline 6 cylinder engine in a little car that’s far cheaper and more fun to drive than a 335i (even though that’s a great car too).
I currently drive a 130i 5 door and it is the most agile fun car I have driven. I traded in the 3.0i Z4 for it. I have been waiting for BMW Australia to import the 135i – I will definitely trade up to it. To have the power of the 335i in a small car will make the 135i a fantastic drive. However, I’d much rather they put the 252kw E46 M3 engine in a 1 series. That would certainly tickle the accelerator foot. Either way… I can’t wait.
Why such a long lead time on release in Australia? Hurry up.
I saw an article on the new 135i in the Saturday version of the West Australian on 7th July. Having driven the $135K, 335i the weekend before and learnt about the 9 month delivery on top of the price I ordered the 135i on the following Monday. I can hardly wait. 225kw and max torque from 1300rpm in a Baby Bimmer…Nirvanha!
I went form a 5 series to a 3 series back to a 5 series,i will never go to any thing smaller that a 5 series.
The new generation cars cabins are a bit lacking,thats coming form some one who loves there bmw.It’s one reason why i took the e39 over the e60.
If you have to have a 1 series,the 135i is were it will be at!
I have a manual 130i which is fantastic, fast, handles really well and on track days it beats most of the Porsches. The 135i will be awsome and I can’t wait to get mine.
hendrick you must be a audi or lexus dealer
BMWs are meant for those who can afford them, not those who buy “cheap” ones and start criticising them.
They cost more to design and make than commodores and vivas. Lexus, everyone knows it is a toyota. It does not matter what you call it.It remains a toyota. A BMW is a BMW.
For those who do not like BMW interiors, have a look at the Mercedes ones, you would probably throw up when you see one. An S class interior is copied from a 7 series one, including the boot that most people hated.
By the way I drive a Subaru Blitzen and no way affiliated to BMW.
Well, if Lexus is Toyota, then Audi is VW.
Just read a test on the 123 diesel. a 150Kw twin turbo diesel 0-100 in 7.1 seconds. Sounded a great performer but pricey at $70K.
the coupe 135i or even tii will be great, the size of the car reminds me of the e36…Love it I will be getting one of these over the 3series now for sure!