BMW seems to think so. BMW is hoping that the rising fuel prices in the US will lead to more sales of its upcoming 1-Series coupe and convertible that will be on sale early next year.
BMW’s Falko Radomski said “We believe there is a change happening in this market. Increasing fuel prices mean that customers are becoming more interested in fuel efficient cars.”
BMW expects a large portion of 1-Series sales to come from the US. Pricing for the coupe is expected to start just below $30,000.
The real question here is, is the BMW 1-Series that much more fuel efficient than the 3-Series? The 1-Series uses the same 6-cylinder engines as the 3-Series. Of course the 1-Series is smaller and a little lighter, but are the differences enough to make huge gains in fuel efficiency over the 3-Series? Maybe if the 1-Series were offered with a diesel or 4-cylinder powertrain in the US?
1-Series Convertible:
1-Series Coupe:
Full Story: eGMCarTech
Related Stories:
BMW 1-Series Caught in LA
BMW 1-Series Convertible Will Be Released in the US Next April Starting Around $40K
BMW 1-Series Will Start Under $30,000 in the US
Comments (7)
Unless BMW does some radical engine retuning I don't foresee any appreciable fuel efficiency difference.
Posted by Tom Underhill | October 19, 2007 9:53 AM
Posted on October 19, 2007 09:53
"Maybe if the 1-Series were offered with a diesel or 4-cylinder powertrain in the US?"
I highly doubt we'd ever get the 4 cylinder engines (though they get like 40 mpg) but I really hope we get the 3 liter twin turbo diesel.......*drool*
Posted by Remy LeBeau | October 19, 2007 2:58 PM
Posted on October 19, 2007 14:58
Personally I think mileage will be close between the 1 and 3 series. The 3 series is heavier, but the 1 series coupe will be driven more enthusiastically IMO.
VW is going to simplify their lower-end US-spec cars to compete with Honda, Toyota, etc. in that market segment...I guess BMW didn't get the memo.
Pricing for a 128i at just under 30K is a bit steep, considering that I saw 25K a short while ago. Sprinkle on some options (get the PDF brochure at the website) and you'll be well into the 30's. I suspect a well-optioned 135i will easily surpass 40K. These prices will put this car up into a niche market and bring on the much harder competition in that price bracket.
It's a shame. I was planning on getting a basic 128i as a commuter for 25K. I like this car, and it would have been my first BMW. I cannot justify beating a 30-40k car to death in rush hour and parking decks every day.
Posted by Kell | October 19, 2007 3:23 PM
Posted on October 19, 2007 15:23
I personally think that BMW is dropping the ball here. I like the 128i alot, however their pricing scheme is too much. The earlier post by "Kell" highlights the potential that BMW has for a car to could conceivably bring in an entire new demographic. The price difference between the 1 and 3 series is too small to really justify the 1 series. If BMW lowered the price and perhaps offered a diesel or 4 cyl, than the company could stay within US CAFE standards and open its dealerships to a new clientele.
Posted by longdxcommuter | October 19, 2007 4:22 PM
Posted on October 19, 2007 16:22
Remember all of you that the transmission is geared differently too, so its lighter, has less aero-dynamic drag and different gearing. Still, I doubt it will be better than 5mpg more for both city and highway. Not that I am complaining about 5mpg, but hey, if I wanted fuel efficient I would not buy anything but a diesel BMW. Are those offered yet? Nope.
Posted by Allen | October 19, 2007 5:41 PM
Posted on October 19, 2007 17:41
BMW can definitely turn its current 6 cylinder into a fuel efficient engine. The dual Vanos system is very robust, and so far BMW has tuned it more towards Perfomance than anything else. If they drop the horsepower down slightly, they can increase the torque and fuel mileage a bit and still maintain a fun car.
For those keeping with current news, the price of diesel is steadily rising(in the US at least). There are predictions that the price of diesel will soon catch up with the benefits. Of course these predictions have been coming up since 1995, but they more of a possibility now.
Posted by Jason | October 20, 2007 10:44 AM
Posted on October 20, 2007 10:44
I JUST CAME FROM THE DEALER AND WITH BASIC OPTIONS COST WAS 35K WITH TAXES UP TO 38K SO NOT A CHEAPER OPTION FOR SURE!!!!!!!!!!!! AND I WAS TRADING A 2001X5
Posted by elizabeth bailey | March 14, 2008 6:24 PM
Posted on March 14, 2008 18:24