A hybrid Bmw 1-Series prototype is currently being tested according to Autocar. The only way to identify the car’s powertrain is to check out the ‘Hybrid Test Vehicle’ stickers found on the rear windows and rear bumper.

The hybrid arrangement on the hybrid Bmw 1-Series prototype is essentially a scaled-down version of the system on the 7-Series and X6. The motor is inserted between the engine and transmission, with a compact lithium ion battery in the rear. The hybrid 1-Series is slated for production when the next generation 1-Series is launched in late 2011 or early 2012. It is meant to compete against the production version of the Lexus LF-Ch concept car, which was unveiled at the latest Frankfurt Motor Show.

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As you may know already, yesterday we announced that Bmw is looking at a new M model below the M3, but today we found out more details regarding the upcoming car. First of all we found out that the demand for the M vehicles dropped this year due to the hard financial times and Bmw was helped only by the M3 – the M5 and M6 recorded poor sales while the introduction of the X5 M and X6 M was too late to have a positive influence on the 2009 sales. In fact Bmw expects to sell the X5 M and X6 M in the same number of units as the M5. In a recent interview with Auto Motor und Sport, Kay Segler, CEO of M GmbH said that the car which could show an impressive number of sold units could be the 1-Series M, because the market registers a high demand for this type of vehicles. So, now Bmw is looking for opportunities based on the current 1-Series model. According to our sources, the final choice will be a 135i M fitted with a lightweight body, stripped interior, a custom chassis and of course, the powerful 3.0-liter bi-turbo engine. Also, Segler confirmed the debut of the 135i M in spring 2011!

Tags:2011 bmw 1-series m, 2011 bmw 135i m, Bmw, bmw 1-series m, bmw 135i m, bmw news, car news
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Nissan’s luxury brand, Infiniti, will launch a new small electric car to rival the Audi A3 and Bmw 1-Series. Infiniti has a newly opened UK dealership in Reading and as an entry point to this range, it is planning a new compact hatchback model.

The carmaker is targeting buyers who are seeking to downsize and be eco-friendly and so its first car will be equipped with a lithium-ion battery pack and electric motor drivetrain used by the Nissan Leaf. At the Tokyo Motor Show, an insider told Auto Express that a small electric Infiniti and larger electric models are ”on the horizon.” Rival brand Lexus is slated to launch the production version of its LF-Ch compact hatchback concept towards the end of 2010. Hence, it’s a sound decision for Nissan to put up a similar model against it. It’s likely that the small electric car, as well as conventional petrol engined versions, will arrive in 2012.

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Tags:car news, Infiniti, infiniti 1-series rival, infiniti a3 rival, infiniti news
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Deliveries will begin on September 1 for BMW’s two new 1-Series models to the Coupe range – the BMW 118d Coupe and the BMW 120i Coupe. Powering the 118d Coupe is a four-cylinder common-rail diesel engine, which has CO2 emissions of 119g/km and combined fuel economy of 62.8mpg.

Claimed to be the cleanest diesel-powered sports coupe available in the UK, the 118d Coupe can go 0-62mph in 9.0sec and has a top speed of 130mph. The diesel unit produces 141bhp and 221lb ft of torque. Prices for the 118d start at £20,500 for the ES model and £23,375 for the M Sport variant. The 120i Coupe is powered by a 2.0-litre petrol unit, which produces 167bhp and 155lb ft of torque. It can go 0-62mph in 7.8sec and has a top speed of 139mph. Its CO2 emissions are 153g/km and its combined fuel economy is a claimed 42.8mpg. Prices start at £21,115 for the ES model and £23,990 for the M Sport. In addition, BMW will soon introduce a new Sport trim level for the 1-series Coupe and Convertible models. It is available on all four-cylinder cars and includes 17-inch alloy wheels, front foglights, heated exterior mirrors, a multi-function leather steering wheel and Sport seats.

Tags:1-series coupe, 2009 118d coupe, 2009 120i coupe, 2009 bmw 118d coupe, 2009 bmw 120i coupe, Bmw, bmw news, car news
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A new power pack for the BMW 116d has been unleashed by the German tuners from HARTGE. While pricing has yet to be announced, HARTGE reveals that its program includes an ECU upgrade that takes the output figures up from 85 kW / 115 hp to 105 kW (143 hp) at 4000 rpm and 315 Nm (lb-ft 232) of torque at 2000 rpm.

A new suspension lowers the ride height by 25 mm. The kit also includes dual round exhaust tail pipes but if you want your BMW 116d to be fitted with a single oval exhaust tail pipe, all you need to do is ask.

Tags:bmw 116d tuning, bmw tuning, car news, hartge bmw 116d
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Plans for a BMW M7 have been dropped due to the costs involved, BMW’s M division boss, Kay Segler, tells Automotive News. Segler added, “We’ve looked at that [BMW M7] and decided not to do it…The 760 with all-wheel drive is a very strong offering. The M sales would be too small for our total investment.”

However, he did not rule out an M version of the 1-series. Last year, BMW sold 24,186 M models worldwide, which it hopes to surpass this year with September’s launch of the BMW X5 M and BMW X6 M. On the potential of the BMW M1, Segler said, “Give me a year or so to look into the 1-series.” But Segler ruled out a BMW X1 M. “You need an entry into M price-wise…but whether we can do that economically has to be determined. Dreams are always there, but we have to pay for them. An X1 is not a car that we would have.”

Tags:bmw m1 news, bmw news, bmwm1, car news
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A recall for the 2008 model BMW 1-Series and 3-Series has been announced. BMW North America cited a possible side airbag problem caused by an incorrect crimp connector that was used on the side airbag and belt tensioner wiring.

As published on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website, the official notice states: “BMW is recalling MY 2008 1-Series and 3-Series passenger cars. Incorrect crimp connectors may have been used on the side air bag and belt tensioner wiring. As a result sufficient contact between the crimp connectors and the corresponding plug may not occur which could lead to an increase in the electrical resistance of that connection…If that happened, it would be possible for the side air bag and/or safety belt tensioner not to deploy and will not be able to properly protect an occupant, increasing the risk of injuries.”

Tags:2008 bmw 1-series recalled, 2008 bmw 3-series recalled, bmw news, car news
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The Bavarian carmaker has released two more powerplants with an EU5 emission rating namely the 120i Coupe and 118d Coupe which will hit markets by September this year. Powering the 120i Coupe is a 2.0L four-cylinder unit capable of 125kW (170hp) and 210Nm which it attains at 4250rpm.

It comes with a high precision direct injection which aids the car in sprinting from 0-100km/h in 7.8 seconds while reaching a maximum speed of 224km/h. Fuel consumption for the car is pegged at 6.6L/100km with carbon dioxide emissions at 153g/km. Another powerplant that will be introduced in the Coupe is the 2.0L turbo diesel unit found in the 118d and which won the honor of being the 2008 World Green Car of the Year. More details and photos after the jump!

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Tags:2010 1-series, 2010 bmw 1-series, bmw news, car news
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Besides the expansion of its Mini dealerships, BMW will be coming out with four new 1-series versions that have been speculated to be under development for the next generation model which has been revealed as the F20, and this is above the typical coupe and hatch that are already being manufactured.

Included in the new versions are a new Coupe and Cabrio, a GT-style Estate and a crossover-like vehicle sporting a Y1 badge. Also set for the production lines are theZ2 roadster variant and a small coupe variant of the Z2. To bring the vehicle to market now does not only make sense from the point of view of the customer but also for competitive purposes. It is likewise reported that VW will be going ahead with the BlueSport Roadster, which is said to be sharing its platform with entry-level Porsche and Audi roadsters. Continued after the jump!

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Tags:bmw 1-series news, bmw news, car news
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The German automaker BMW is preparing the next generation M3 and a brand new M coupe patterned after the second-generation 1 series to bring to the market in the 2014 model year.

The next 3 and 1 series models will be introduced in the latter part of 2012 as a 2013 model. BMW, in its aim to lower displacement and reduction in overall vehicle weight to preserve performance, will return the M3 back to a 6-cylinder unit. The company is still deciding however if it’s going to be an inline-six or a V6. The latter would offer better balance and more packaging adaptability; however, an inline-six would be more lightweight, an essential element in the future designs of BMW. BMW is not saying at this point if the new six-cylinder M powerplant, which is not patterned on the present 3.0-liter range, will be a twin turbo or not. What’s more definite is that it’s going to be a turbo six-cylinder unit. The carmaker acknowledges that they have not yet started the M3. The German carmaker is seeking to revive the spirit of the 4-cylinder E30 M3 through a 1 Series M. It was considered an exciting ride although it needs more horses now, between 420 and 450, to provide it with a respectable acceleration rate, unlike twenty years ago. The car comes with impressive stopping and high cornering capabilities. It will come with less than 2900 pounds overall weight and generate a minimum of 300hp, and the company hopes to get the attention of young customers with it. Still in its foundation stage, the BMW M is currently working on its feasibility.

Tags:2012 bmw 1-series m news, 2012 bmw m3 news, bmw m news, car news
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