BMW base paint steps for the 1 Series. Display seen at the AMI Leipzig show. This color was Mineral White which is an option for X1s made at Leipzig.
BMW’s six paint stages are:
1) Steel Panel
2) Cathodic Dipping Paint. Rust Protection.
3) Primer coat. Protection against stone-chipping. Color base for base coat.
4) Water based coat of final color. First layer.
5) Water based coat of final color. Second layer.
6) Clear coat. Brilliance and resistance against environmental influence.
BMW has been busy trademarking. Below is a list of some recent BMW trademark filings for future potential models. Remember, just because a manufacturer registers a trademark does not mean that the model will necessarily come to fruition. But, it makes for some fun speculation and certainly paints a rough map of what potential future models we may see out of Munich.
Recent Trademark List:
X2, X4
M1, M2, M7, M10
2 Series Active Tourer
M35, M40, M55, M300, M350, M400, M500
M130, M135, M140, M230, M235, M240, M330, M335, M340, M430, M435, M440, M450, M550, M650, M750
M50d
Compactive, … CONTINUED
We’ve just gotten our hands on some new videos and wallpapers of the F21 3-door 1-series in Estoril Blue. Enjoy!
On display at the BMW exhibit at the 2012 AMI auto show is a frozen bronze 640d gran coupe with BMW Individual interior.
Elsewhere in the exhibit was the first BMW 114i to be shown to the public. The 114i features a de-tuned version of the 116i’s 1.6L 4-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine. Power output is 101hp / 133 lb-ft. 0-100km/h (62mph) in 11.2 seconds with top speed of 195km/h (121mph). Average fuel consumption is 5.5lt/100km (42.8mpg US).
The recently announced BMW F21 M135i 3-door hatchback has just made its world public debut at the AMI 2012 show today. Here are the vitals on this newest model to the BMW M Performance Automobiles lineup. The F21 M135i will unfortunately not make it to North America.
First ever BMW M Performance automobile to feature a petrol engine
BMW M135i with N55 3-litre, straight six-cylinder engine and 235 kW/320 hp
450Nm between 1,300 and 4,500 rpm
0-100kph in 5.1 seconds (4.9 with automatic)
M-characteristic suspension components and aerodynamically optimised body features
Highest level of performance and the most outstanding efficiency within the competitive … CONTINUED
We previously reported on a possible four-door 2 series sedan / gran coupe. Autocar has now joined the rumormill on such a potential 4 door model.
The report claims that BMW has plans for or is discussing a RWD sedan based off the current 1 Series platform that will target the US and China markets in particular. Autocar calls it a 1 Series, but in all likelihood it would be called a 2 Series. If you remember, only the hatchbacks and upcoming FWD models are likely to retain their 1 series badging [see likely future 1/2 series model map].
As the 3 Series has grown over the years, BMW may need such a model to take on the likes of the upcoming Audi A3 sedan and Mercedes CLA … CONTINUED
Here’s an interview, via M-Power.com with the BMW M135i’s Project Manager, Christof Lischka. For full details and official information on the M135i, see our M135i Model Guide.
The BMW M135i is the first petrol engine model to be presented in the new category BMW M Performance Automobiles. What are the car’s technical highlights?
Christof Lischka: The BMW M135i is the first petrol engine model of the BMW M Performance Automobiles as well as being the first representative of the 1 Series family. For this reason, it was important for us to give the BMW M135i the specific characteristics typical of all BMW M Performance Automobiles - specially matched to the 1 Series of course.
The target character of the BMW M Performance Automobiles is defined by … CONTINUED
BMW has just dropped the all new M135i, based on the new F21 chassis, that is to say a 3-door variant of the 1-Series BMW. The car falls into BMW’s new BMW M Performance BMW cars that offers performance and a namesake somewhere between a true M car and a series BMW. We have all the information, wallpapers and videos online, just click through to find out more.
Powered by a 320hp version of the N55 3.0-litre inline 6, the M135i will be the fastest 1-series currently available. As BMW puts it, “moreover, the characteristic handling precision of BMW M Performance automobiles is obtained through model-specific suspension technology that includes an M sports braking system and is perfectly adapted to match the supreme road performance. 18-inch M light alloys with a double spoke design additionally complement the car’s sporting character.” So we expect the M135i’s performance to come quite close to the already-legendary 1-series M Coupe.
The M135i has been confirmed to be coming with optional manual transmission and AWD xDrive. The coupe version of the M135i (which may be called the M235i as the F22 coupe may take on the 2-series badge) has been … CONTINUED
