BMW hopes for a fast start for the 1-Series
BMW is hoping for a high number of 1-Series coupes to be sold before it hits the U.S. markets next spring. BMW will entice buyers by putting a special badge on each 1-Series showing its first year of sales in the U.S.
“Our hope is that we will have another Mini on our hands,” Jack Pitney, BMW’s vice president of marketing, told Automotive News. In his previous job, he oversaw the Mini’s U.S. launch.
“This is an historic moment, a new series,” he said. “So we will be making the first year of the 1 series in the U.S. commemorative,” with special badging, a certificate of authenticity and special book about the coupe’s development.
When the BMW 1-Series arrives in the U.S. in spring of 2008, pricing is expected to be under $30,000 for the 128i. The range-topper 135i will be priced in the mid-30k range.
The 128i is powered by a 3.0 liter 6-cylinder engine producing 230 horsepower with 200 lb-ft of torque. The 135i has a 3.0 liter 6-clyinder twin-turbo engine that produces 300 horsepower with 300 lb-ft of torque. That gives the 135i the ability to do 0-62mph in 5.3 seconds with a top speed of 155mph, or so BMW says.
Nearly 100,000 people have signed up for 1-series information on BMW’s Web site.
2008 BMW 1-Series Coupe Gallery:
Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)
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