BMW 120d News

The body is the wrong size and shape, there are fake back doors, and the camouflage tells the world it is something completely new. Carparazzi says it's a first look at a prototype of a three-door 1 Series, expected in showrooms in the second half of next year.But could it also hint at BMW's plans for a front-wheel drive baby car, complete with a hybrid powertrain? Or even the first use of the three-cylinder turbo engine that will set the new benchmark for powertrain efficiency at the German brand?The under-the-skin stuff is staying secret for some time yet but the 1 Series prototype shows clearly that BMW is evolving its current baby.   It already has a five-door hatch, as well as a coupe and convertible, but wants more from the 1 Series.  The new three-door hatchback body is a little sleeker, with a more extended look, taking away some of the chunkiness of the current model.The car caught by Carparazzi has fake rear doors, which are really only a taped outline, and an angled B-pillar that shows where the doors really end.  The rear window shape is also new for the car.European sources say the new 1 Series will be ready for production next year, but probably in the second half as a 2012 model in the BMW lineup.

The spread of the dealer network aims to keep up with demand caused by a booming population and Australia's strong economy.  Within two years, BMW will see $40 million spent on new or refurbished outlets as it shoots for 50 national dealerships.These include a second dealership in Perth ($15 million), expanded Doncaster (Victoria) premises ($10 million), a North Shore Sydney franchise ($8 million) and a new dealer at Tweed Heads.  The Perth dealership, to be built this year by the existing franchisee, is in the city's expanding northern suburbs.BMW Australia managing director Stavros Yallouridis says the expansion reflects the mechandising concept that takes the product closer to the buyer.  "We are, to a degree, a product for the impulsive buyer," he says."We have to go to the buyer and that redefines the distribution of our products. In many cases, as we expand our products with smaller cars, we have to be in city areas that demand small cars in order to sell to our target market."Yallouridis says the car market was aiming for record highs and, in BMW's case, highlighted by the 1-Series, X1, 5-Series and 7-Series."The X3 comes in next year and there's the 1-Series hatch and coupe, so sales will expand further," he says.The Audi Centre in Perth is more than doubling its floor area, taking over a neighbouring property in the high-end car retail suburb of Osborne Park. The suburb also hosts Ferrari, Lamborghini, Lexus, Jaguar and Mercedes-Benz.The additional building will accommodate the new 26-car showroom - effectively 2.5 times bigger than present - to display one of each of Audi's models.  Dealer principal David Collins says the investment of about $15 million was necessary."The customers demand it and we desperately need the space because of the growth in Audi sales," he says.  "In 2004 we had 120 new car sales. Now we have 1050."Audi's sales are higher than BMW's when you take out the SUVs.  "I've ordered 250 units of the A1 for 2011 because of demand."  Collins says the Q5 was "the most successful car I've ever been involved with".He says it reflects the growing trend of buyers seeking to downsize their cars yet retain quality and luxury.  BMW has recorded a 10.4 per cent national sales growth year-to-date and, with global sales this calendar year of 775,000, has surpassed Mercedes-Benz (735,000) and Audi (726,000).It has since January sold 1156 of its baby X1 SUV - now its third most popular single-body seller after the 3-Series (3326) and X5 (1955) - for 2 per cent of Australia's passenger-car market.Audi has 1.7 per cent of the car market, primed by sales year-to-date of 1458 A3s and 2521 A4s, and Mercedes-Benz has 2.6 per cent thanks primarily to its E-Class stranglehold of the $70,000-plus large luxury car sector and the robust 4242 C-Class sales.

The compact, front-drive price leader will be revealed next month at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The styling sketch gives very few hints beyond the basic shape, as the finished concept car could easily have either three or five doors.Regardless, the Premium Compact Concept is aimed straight at the BMW 1 Series and Audi's A3. Lexus says the car will ‘demonstrate a mix of technical innovation and ground breaking design’, but refuses any more information until September 15.

The electric newcomer, which will sit below the 1 Series, has been confirmed by BMW chairman Norbert Reithofer.“Later this year, we will decide about building an electric car,” he says.“Modern lithium-ion batteries would allow for the combination of an electric drivetrain and sheer driving pleasure.”No further details, but in his annual report he is happy to talk about other additions to the group's line-up – an all-wheel-drive Mini, compact X1 four-wheel-drive and a slightly smaller Rolls-Royce – for next year.Reithofer also says BMW is taking new directions as it works towards a sustainable future. But he believes plenty, particularly better fuel economy and fewer emissions, can still be achieved with traditional engines.“Last year we reduced our average fleet fuel consumption more than 9 per cent,” he says. “Our present line-up includes 22 BMW and five Mini models that run below 140g of CO2/km. We will cut fuel use 25 per cent in our new-car fleet between 1995 and the end of this year.”BMW will produce its first hybrid, based on the latest X6 four-wheel-drive, and is pushing more diesel engines. Ultimately, Reithofer sees a diesel-electric hybrid.But it's not all good news. Reithofer talks about cutting the BMW workforce by 3100 and cites a range of threats, from rising prices for raw materials to urbanisation.“Average speed in greater Tokyo is already down to 15km/h. You might as well bike,” he says.But he believes BMW has a workable long-term strategy.“Individual mobility will remain a trend,” he says. “And a company that wants to be a frontline player has to consider the world of tomorrow.” Would you consider buying a hybrid car to beat the oil price rises?

The explosive growth of the BMW model range is about to be defused in Australia, with the line-up being trimmed to cut competition and duplication, making it easier for customers in showrooms.The plan is to have only three choices of any individual model, with two petrol engines and one diesel.The current list includes 36 individual models in the 3 Series sedan line-up ... without counting the coupe, convertible or station wagon.“We get a lot of questions about whetherwe have too many models,” BMW Australia managing director Guenther Seemann says.“I think we do have too many.”He believes BMW must cut the choices to streamline business, though he says there will still be all-new models in future — with the X6 four-wheel-drive and M3 sedan up next — asthe German company looks for customers.The work has begun, though there are a dozen individual BMW lines, from the baby 1 Series to the four-wheel-drive X5 and flagship 7 Series, with 50 official engine choices. BMW has 189 individual models on the list.“We've already begun tidying up. The 116i hatch has been removed from the range, there are the manuals in the 3 Series and one of the X3 manuals,” Seemann says.“In the 5 Series range, one of the V8s will go.I believe for each and every model line-up in the future, as we add models, we need two petrol and one diesel variant in each case. No more. We have so many different model lines, it is not practical or possible to display them all in a showroom.”He says it will take time to get things sorted, partly because there are so many models.“It will happen in the next two years. Globally, there are five petrol and five diesel engine choices. And that is just in the 3 Series range,” Seemann says. But there is definitely space for some additions, like the four-door M3 sedan.“We will bring the four-door version, but I do not know at what price. We have to price it lower than the M3 two-door.” 

The explosive growth of the BMW model range is about to be defused in Australia. The line-up is being trimmed to cut competition and duplication, making it easier for customers in showrooms.The plan is to have only three choices of any individual model, with two petrol engines and one diesel. The current list includes 36 individual models in the 3 Series sedan line-up . . . without counting the coupe, convertible or station wagon.“We get a lot of questions about whether we have too many models. I think we do have too many,” BMW Australia managing director Guenther Seemann says.He believes BMW must cut the choices to streamline business, though he says there will still be all-new models in future — with the X6 four-wheel drive and M3 sedan up next — as the German company looks for customers.The work has begun, though there are a dozen individual BMW lines, from the baby 1 Series to the four-wheel-drive X5 and flagship 7-Series, with 50 official engine choices. BMW has 189 individual models on the list.“We've already begun tidying up. The 116i hatch has been removed from the range, there are the manuals in the 3 Series and one of the X3 manuals,” Seeman says.“In the 5 Series range, one of the V8s will go. I believe for each and every model line-up in the future, as we add models, we need two petrol and one diesel variant in each case. No more. We have so many different model lines, it is not practical or possible to display them all in a showroom.He says it will take time to get things sorted, partly because there are so many models.“It will happen in the next two years. Globally, there are five petrol and five diesel engine choices. And that is just in the 3 Series range,” he says.But there is definitely space for some additions, like the four-door M3 sedan.“We are starting the business case. It looks good, I must say,” he says.“We will bring the four-door version, but I do not know at what price. We always follow the normal BMW pattern, where a two-door is more expensive than a four-door. We have to price it lower than the M3 two-door.” 

After talking with leading British executives of the car company, it's still a 50-50 proposition.It is confirmed that Jaguar design chief Ian Callum has produced a highly secret design for a small Jag.However, Jaguar director of programs Mick Mohan believes there is no room in Jaguar for another model.“Jaguar is a three-model brand; that's about all it can stand,” he said.With the launch of the XF, Jaguar now has four models but Mohan believes the X-Type will be phased out about 2010. “There will be no small car. It's a very competitive segment,” he said.“We can't compete in every part of the luxury sector. We need to pick our spots of where we are to compete.”However, that is not necessarily the opinion of Jaguar chief financial officer David Smith, who flew into Melbourne this week for the funeral of UK Jaguar Land Rover chief Geoff Polites.He believes the sale of Jaguar Land Rover to Indian company Tata could open a lot of options and believes a BMW 1 Series-sized Jag has some merit.“The Jaguar design team has a lot of ideas,” he said. “I think that is one of a number of interesting options.”He also thinks there is room for an F-Type — a modern interpretation of the iconic E Type sports car.“But no decision has been made yet,” he said.Here there is some agreement with Mohan declaring that Jaguar needs to “get some sporty character back into our products."He suggested Jaguar could go the way of outgoing owner Ford by moving into smaller capacity turbo engines.“We will work very closely still with Ford, so we will keep a close eye on what they will do.”However, don't bet on the X-Type being phased out, either.Smith says there has been no decision made yet. 

The four seater is due in Australia mid-next year, according to BMW Australia spokesman Toni Andreevski.And it might be simultaneously rolled out locally with the 1 Series Coupe that was also exclusively revealed in CARSguide last month.The latter is due for its world debut in the next fortnight.“It depends on availability,” Andreevski says of the models, which, unlike some BMW lines available here, will both be manufactured in Germany.“There is nothing comparable that has rear-wheel-drive and perfect balance front to back. This will be the real driver's choice.”The 1 Series is likely to be priced between $60,000 and $80,000.“Historically we've owned that segment and we can expect buyer interest in a BMW coupe or convertible priced there to be strong.”A choice of five engines will be offered globally, including a diesel which is unlikely to reach Australia, at least in the near future.Of more importance, though is the range-topping 135i. Sharing the acclaimed bi-turbo 3.0 inline six first seen in the 335i and due nest in the 1 Series Coupe, it will lead the local lineup and account for as much as 50 per cent of the model line's sales if the 3 Series equivalent is any guide.Of the three other engines - the atmo six-cylinder 125i, the four-pot 120i and 118i  - BMW Australia is likely to take the first two.With a claimed 0-100km/h time of 5.6 seconds, the 225kW/400Nm 135i is a good half second quicker even than Porsche's superb Boxster S roadster. European Union testing posits combined cycle fuel consumption of 9.4 litres per 100km.It has a modified M Aerodynamics Package from the M Sports Package as standard, which includes front skirt, door sills, rear skirt are identical in their details to those on the forthcoming coupe. The M theme continues beneath with sports suspension and a high performance braking system as standard.There are two standard colours available in the soft-top range, classical black or beige. It can be optioned in an exlcusive anthracite with silver effect.While folding hardtops are the fashion, the canopy of the 1 Series - unlike the 3 Series which was launched earlier this year - is of a fabric interwoven with fine shiny metallic fibres. The canopy folds open or closed in 22 seconds and can be operated at road speeds of up to 40km/h.Even with the lid folded in, a useful 240 litres luggage space is claimed.BMW make much of its sun reflective technology, which reduces the heating effect of UV rays on the leather upholstery by sunlight by way of deflective colour pigments worked into the material.The 1 Series is equipped with a rollover sensor, which automatically activates rollover bars should it detect the possibility of capsize. It simultaneously activates the front seat belt tensioners and the head thorax air bags.Andreevski says that BMW's already dizzying array of variants, far from confusing buyers, is working to the marque's advantage.“The main focus is identifying the customer's needs and demands. We're set to reach our target of 16,800 for 2007.”

In his 15 years at BMW, the Munich car maker's US-born head of design has overseen the creation of some of the industry's most admired and imitated, if controversial, cars.

1. What is the state of the Australia luxury-car market at the moment?"It is stable on a high level, but it's a competitive market. "We expect to be traveling on the same level as last year on a full- year basis, and we are confident we can grow the BMW Group business.2. How does BMW rate globally?"On a worldwide scale, if you take away South Africa where there a very special regulations and BMW is an assembler, we have the highest market share in the world."We have 29.2 per cent of the luxury sector in Australia, and in Germany the figure is 27.4 per cent and the worldwide number is 19.9 per cent."3. Why is BMW doing so well in Australia?"Australians like our products and we have a very strong brand here. "We have other things which are particularly appealing to potential owners, like guaranteed future values for our cars. We are the only manufacturer to do that across the range. It shows the confidence we have because we know the situation with BMW residuall values."Others will follow us, because they do, but we are the first. That is especially appealing to luxury users, as they have the option to hand the car back at the end of their lease term."This program is fitted to the Australian market, but we have other things and there is also a good demand here for the BMW four-wheel drives with the X5 and X3."4. How has BMW been tracking in Australia over recent years?"Since 1999 we have grown by 79 per cent and, although we usually don't talk about our competitors, that is more than anyone else and gives us a lead of 20 per cent over the same time last year. "That includes the 4x4s but not the commercial vehicles sold by one of our competitors. It's passenger cars and four-wheel drives."If you look at other manufacturers there is one other brand which is doing well but coming from a low base, yet we outsold them 3:1 in 1999 and now we outsold them 3.3:1 in 2005."5. Looking forward, what can we expect in 2006 and 2007?"We are now expanding our range on the diesel front, and we will have the 120d and 320d in the second quarter of this year. There will also be the 323i Touring in the second quarter, and later in the year a new 3 Series coupe. Also the 323i sedan."We have now the revised Z4 including the M Roadster, and of course we have the Z4 coupe coming in the secnd half of the year and the M coupe version which will be very exciting."2007 is still quite a way down the track, so we will have a few renewals."In the 1 Series we are far away from having exploited the market potential and we will have a few very nice things that will fit perfectly in Australia. But that will be 2007."Also, a little bit down the track we will have . . . a sporty version of the X5. It is in the design stage and, from what we have seen, it will be a stunning success."6. You are also responsible for Mini as part of the BMW Group. How far away is the replacement car?"The new model Mini will be in the market in Australia next year. "In that life cycle it will also have several more variants that will also come to Australia and they will help to substantially grow Mini in the market. It was originally a one-model vehicle but will grow to a full product family."