gavriil

From MotorTrend:

After months of speculation, BMW served a welcome surprise by announcing in Geneva, February 2001, that it would be expanding its model offerings with both a 1 and 6 Series. Although official information is quite slim, the puzzle pieces have started to come together, painting a clearer picture of what these range-expanding offerings will be like.
First off, the 1 Series will not be an Isetta redux, nor the much loved 2002 reborn. Rather, it will be a true "series" of models, encompassing several traditional body styles with a volume sales mission. BMW AG CEO, Prof. Joachim Milberg, said these affordable cars will exude BMW virtues, with excellent handling, high quality, and driving pleasure as hallmarks. The 1 will be slotted between the Mini and 3 Series in the lineup.

Rather than employ elements from the stillborn front-drive Rover R30, the 1 Series will use a new BMW-proper rear-drive platform. All-new British engines ranging from 1.2-liter/75-horsepower to 2.0-liter/220-horse turbo are reportedly being considered. Among other things, we expect the four-cylinder engines to be a key distinguishing element separating the 1 from the six-cylinder 3 Series. (If the 3 Series Compact does finally come to the U.S. market, it is expected to boast the 2.5-liter inline six, not a four like last generation.)
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At the other end of the spectrum, BMW is planning the return of the number 6, a figure that embodied grand touring over a decade ago. The new 6 will be spun off the next-generation 5 Series (E60) platform, but it will more be than a mere two-door 5. Designated E63 internally, the coupe will benefit from hardware and manufacturing synergies, but push its own style boundaries even further than the 5's reported dynamic design. The 6 Series will showcase modern, progressive styling with a flat nose, protruding wheel arches, and a steeply raked windshield that flows gracefully from the hood into the curved roofline.
BMW prepared the world for this design direction with the gullwinged Z9 show car, and introduced new technology, such as iDrive. A key element to the concept car was the innovative approach to simplifying controls, with a rotary-push knob on the center console communicating with a high-mounted color display. Interior features a 2+2 seat layout with emphasis on personal luxury. Expect a full complement of infotainment, safety, and comfort features (including iDrive) pioneered on the new 7 Series to be shared with this flagship coupe.

The exclusively eight-cylinder powertrains will be shared with the 5, including a rumored tuned V-8 producing upwards of 450 horsepower for the anticipated M6. Transmission choices may include six-speed manual and six-speed Steptronic transmissions, with the M car to receive the six-speed sequential manual gearbox debuting on the 2002 M3. Suspension will likely retain a familiar MacPherson strut front/multilink rear setup with weight-saving aluminum componentry.

Within a year of marketing the premium 6 coupe, a convertible version (E64) will reach showrooms continuing BMW's ambitious new product rollout.

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Gabriel
CL Type S

spiroh

Guess what my next car will be =)

Spiro

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Black/Black 2001 CL-S
RED AEM CAI
Polarg M6 Roadlamps

gavriil

Comments:

1. TURBO ENGINES from BMW? WOW!!! That I did not expect any time soon. It is not fully confirmed but still, this is a surprise to me. Now all we need to see is for Honda/Acura to go the fored feeding way.

2. Exclusive 8 cylinder engine powertrains for the 6 series! Wow! Talk about being serious about having that car perform.

By the way guys I was reading that the current 4.4 liter V8 that BMW uses in the 540, 740, X5 will be massaged to make about 320HP next year.

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Gabriel
CL Type S