BMW has always prided itself on being a progressive and leading edge company so it’s no surprise that the company has taken quickly and often to social networking. Their latest project shows just how serious they consider social networking. BMW will be utilizing Facebook and BMW fans to help create a special 1-series Facebook Edition Model (page located here) for production.

The Facebook 1-series will be designed by young BMW designers and BMW fans will vote and decide on the design to be featured on the production model. There are 16 look combinations to choose from on the BMW 1-series Facebook Page. The design will be applied to the Facebook 1-series edition by use of 3M vinyl wrap. Two models will be offered - 4-cylinder diesel model … CONTINUED

These are the best close-up photos of the F20 1-series 5-door hatchback yet! Everything can be seen clearly - from the front bumper design, the more upright front fascia and grilles, to the camouflaged headlights purposely taped to trick the eyes into thinking they are larger, and the rear lights powered by LED light bars. A closeup of the side view mirrors confirms that the next gen 1-series will be the first BMWs with integrated side view mirror turn signals.

This particular model is a 2.0 diesel (indicated by the N47D20 motor designation on the dash label) auto start-stop engine technology, paired with an 8 speed auto transmission, and appears to be an FEP prototype (final evaluation phase).

What’s most interesting about these photos is the interior, which … CONTINUED

This is the first time the F20 has been captured on video in this more advanced camouflage stage. We’ve already posted many photos, but seeing the car in motion always gives a more lifelike perspective.

The F20 1-series hatchback is expected to make its world premiere at the Frankfurt Autoshow in September (see: http://www.bimmerpost.com/future-bmw/).

In usual BMW fashion, the Coupe body style should arrive roughly 1 Year later, and would be expected as a 2013 model. BMW M will also have its hands at the new 1-Series and an M version should arrive 2 Years after the arrival of the hatchback this year. Rumors have been afloat as to whether the next generation 1-Series Coupe would indeed be spun off as its own series, presumably the 2-Series, … CONTINUED

BMW has posted another video on the BMW ActiveE 1-series based electric car. This clip explains how it can be used as an everyday utility.

SCOTT26 provides a glimpse into possible F2X generation 1-series models, including a Gran Coupe Sports Sedan and a Shooting Brake model. The confirmed models (Coupe and Convertible) are also discussed in some more detail.

The original BMW 1-Series ActiveE said hello to the world in December of 2009, but now the car will go into production with a test fleet of over 1000 vehicles to be shared between the North American, European and Chinese markets. This marks the second electic vehicle in the BMW lineup (after the MINIe) and will make its official world debut at the upcoming Geneva Autoshow.

Just to recap, although this car is in the shell of a 1-Series, it features a totally unique drivetrain good for 170hp, 0-60 in about 9 seconds and a range of about 100 miles. This range is achieved with a redesigned LithiumIon based battery unit.

The knowledged gained from the 1-Series ActiveE and MINIe testbeds will directly impact the upcoming MCV (MegaCityVehicle) … CONTINUED

CAR provides some new renders, details, and speculations on the upcoming baby BMW roadster, the Z2, and the 1-series GT. Both models are based on the UKL1 front-drive transverse architecture, standing for untere klasse in German. It’s at the core of BMW’s plans to become more efficient at making small cars. Power for the new UKL1 front-drive BMWs comes from three- and four-cylinder engines, spinning the front wheels, although four-wheel drive is enabled by UKL1 as it’s required for the Countryman. Getrag will build the 4wd, as well as a twin-clutch transmission.

Additions to the BMW Performance product portfolio for the BMW 1 Series, the BMW 3 Series and for the BMW X5 and BMW X6 are being presented at 2011 Geneva autoshow. These include, inter alia, the new BMW Performance sports steering wheel and the BMW Performance Power Kit for the current four-cylinder diesel engines. Also, the range of Original BMW Accessories being presented at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show includes the latest M Performance components for the BMW M3.

It appears that the next generation 1-series (F20) will be the first BMW to feature integrated side view mirror lights. We first suspected this when the F20’s latest stage of camouflage was first spied. Here was the circumstantial evidence:

* BMW test mules often have the orange tape/stripe on its side view mirrors, as camouflage/decoy. However, this decoy tape has always been removed once the heavy camouflage on the car’s lights are removed. With the F20, the heavy camouflage on the test mules’ lights have already been removed, but the orange decoy tape remains to serve as camouflage.
* The orange mirror tape has perforations (see F20 photo below), which has never been seen on the mirror camouflage previously. … CONTINUED