Spies snag first video of the BMW 1-Series

I am getting one in Black with Black leather ... trading my 330xi . should be hot

I cant believe Im saying this but, the more I look at it the more I like it. Im even starting to find the rear acceptable, and the rear lighting amazing. The front looks handsome enough, and the interior is not bad either. I like it...

I still want to hit Bangle in the face but I'm starting to like it a bit. Maybe it has to do with the ugly colour.. in typical BMW fashion, press photos cars always have hideous wheels and hideous colours. (actually these wheels are quite nice)

The rear lighting is amazing upon closer review. GREAT attention to detail. Rear lights arent as bad as they looked when I first laid eyes on them...

Sevor use my gun ;)

But you can't blame it all on bangle, he did come with great designs. Like 1 series which isnt bad, the 3 series coupe, new X5, 5 series (I personally love it), 6 series, refreshed 7 series. His only bad apples are the 3 series' rear lights, this car's rear lights, the totally hideous X3, even though the refresh makes it acceptable, and the Z4 which isnt bad, but I dont like it.

the 7-series is an ugly car. Honestly it lost ALL of its soul. I mean just compare it to this:

http://images.automotive.com/reviews/images/01bmw7series.jpg

Looks brilliant. Looks like BMW always have looked like.

I dont think there is nothing wrong with the facelifted 7 series. Maybe its starting to look too boxy, but the front and rear lights are very good looking, and the interior is nice.

I think it's looks cool, like a cross between my old 330Ci and the old 2002. Should handle great and run like a scalded pig.

I don't get it.. why do Americans get the old 3 litre engine with 231 hp while there is a X25i engine that is more modern (direct injection, 218 hp, ..etc)?

Exactly this uses the 2001 330i engine.
I think it's costs really, note they're not getting our 130i with 270 hp either.

I wish I had a reason to buy one but I got a new 3 about a year ago. I love this car even though the rear lights look like a 10 year old Hyundai Accent.

The trunk looks like bad camouflage that was painted to match the car. I am still going to buy one. I have been waiting for BMW to make something I wanted as much as my E36 M3. Just need an aftermarket LSD and make sure you don't get the iDrive or Active Steering.

It is a winner, if the price is right these machines should be a favorite over a broad range of buyer.

It is amazing that BMW was/is able to con buyers into buying the same cars every years. Same extetior design every year except minor altercation on headlights and taillights. Truely amazing stuff indeed.

It's called classic styling. That's why a BMW from the 70's resembles current BMWs. I'll put this in words you can understand: If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

BMWsuk....obviously another idiotic fan boy who has nothing intelligent (or well written)to add to the discourse.....come on children time to sprout some hair....

I really hope the price is just right because I want one. This car would be exactly what I need for my daily 45 minute commute to work (chicago).

I can't help myself but this critter keeps screaming, "I'm a Kia".
But, I think it should sell pretty good for a while but for how long? I mean the design isn't fresh at all...Is this car designed and built to have the customers keep comin back or upgrade to the 3 series?
BMW kinda got it backwards. Instead of moving up..they are moving downward in scale..I mean..can you really pump up this little car and say its still an ultimate driving machine? I'm very unsure about this. But, it'll attract die hard BMW fans who rather buy this brand new than getting a used bmw or something i guess. I just don't like the bmw's marketing strategy.

Smaller cars handle better thanks to lower weight, so yes, I would say this is the ultimate driving machine.
This is the closest BMW has been to their core values in a long while.
I think this will be an absolute winner, small premium coupes are non-existent, it will have a monopoly.

<I can't help myself but this critter keeps screaming, "I'm a Kia".>

I haven't really seen any Kias with rear wheel drive, inline 6 engines or 50-50 weight distribution. But I guess if you only judge a car by it's looks you could think that.

Yep, the weight is just a one of many factors that separates between quick and the quicker. Why do you think a small premium coupes are non-existent til now or recently? I'm sure there are good reasoning behind it. I mean, most folks purchase a small cars to save fuel costs and or because it offers improved urban driving adaptability. The premium or luxury sigment is more defined for people who are older and relaxing driving during straight open roads (at least here in U.S.)..Therefore, to me it doesn't just make sense why you have so much absolute in terms of its future success. Can you be more impartial?

I just think it will, small premium cars are common in Europe certainly, young rich people will snap this up as will people who don't want or need a 3 coupe.
And who says older people don't enjoy driving? I'm sure there will be plenty or 40 plus people who want this car, I know many with A3s or 1 series. They can afford bigger cars easily, just don't need one.
The American luxury market is of course very different from the European market, here to buy an A3 as your child's first car you would need to be seriously rich., and older people enjoy driving as much as younger ones. A 1 series coupe is out of the question for sub 20 year olds, but Yuppies will love it, as will the older generation. The number of older women I see driving 3 coupes, convertibles, Z4s and MX-5s (Miata) is huge, my area will probably be a key market for the 1 coupe, and I can see it fitting in very well.

Oh and in Britain all old people drive Honda Civics.

I mean all of them, average Civic buyer is 57.

You stated, "small premium cars are common in Europe certainly". <--Common? Very questionable statement.

You stated, "And who says older people don't enjoy driving?" <--I'm merely generalizing it for U.S.
populace.

You stated, "The American luxury market is of course very different from the European market" <--yes, I know and that is the problem with this 1-Series. Americans prefer the following as the most importance while choosing a car.
1) Practicality 2) Value 3) Reputation not some magical feel of the car bullcrap. 4) Fuel efficiency (Just like Europeans and Asians) 5) Reliability.

Europeans, I think are either or in my opinion. There are lot less medium income family household and therefore if you are rich then you'll always aim for highest tier brand but on the other spectrum..you'll mostlikely aim for a basic econo transportations which even includes mopeds and bicycles. I give cheers to Hollanders btw for their pedaling ways to goto work in the city. Anyhow, you still haven't convinced me enough to change my mind about this 1-series, except for a very small niche it found by defining premium luxury compact car..but good luck with it..cuz, you'll needed.

Perhaps in the US it won't do quite so well, but I do think there is a definite niche for the 1 coupe in Europe.
I'm sure it's fairly difficult for Americans in general to understand that biggest is not best, things that are too big just get laughed away. Many rich and middle class people have small cars, and yes, small premium cars are common in Europe. I mean that, loads of people simply don't want a big car, you don't really know how small streets are here, or how little parking there is. I'm guessing that in front of most people on this site's houses there is a road which can take 2 cars going in opposite directions. That is rare in England for residential areas, off street parking is not common (as many houses were built before cars) and people park on the street, where spaces are limited.

Where did you get that there are fewer median income families in Europe? There are loads, it's why the 3 series is the 10th best selling car in Britain.

The ultimate compact driving machine.

Way to go BMW!

This is going to be a hit! It soooo reminds me of the old E30...only modernized.

China better start ramping up M badges for all the ricers to stick in front of the 128i badge!!!

China better start ramping up production of M badges for all the ricers to stick in front of the 128i badge!!!

You know what, in blue or alpine weiss this 1-series coupe will look pretty good.

pretty sure with the 1 series, bmw will cannibalize a lot of 3 series sales.

I WANT ONE!!!!
NOW!!!

Are you joking? Look how old fashioned and dated the previous 7 looks. The currrent model is a great step forward in style - it even appeals to younger people