Much change has occurred within BMW to the initial product plan of the platform that has brought the E87 1er - Officially now that the 1er is a success all resources are now on spin off variants from the core platform.
And of course entry into the US consumer market .

The proposed 1er sedan and touring and roadster have now been officially placed on ice for the time being because of the fears of competing with lower based 3er sedan and Touring. The small roadster in this market will be badged MINI - more identical to be a true Miata chaser more the preferred market to be.

In early summer 2006 the 1er 3dr will be launched pitched as the more sporting hatch to go up against VW Golf Gti and other compact performance cars - The 1er 3dr will share engines with the 5dr but most exciting is the introduction of the 120Si utilising the engine from the forthcoming 320Si with 175 BHP to compete with the VW Golf GTi - This is expected to be released in early 2007, Six cylinder power will also come with the current 130i but the forthcoming BMW(with development input from alpina) turbo charged petrol engine soon to be introduced ( dismissing inaccurate US dealer reports) in the forthcoming E92 3er coupe .

The dilema with this engine is the equivalent of going swimming with weights - ie too nose heavy so this has been reserved for the 3er products upward.

The 1er ( With decision still undecided over 2er coupe /Cabrio )
Why 2er - BMW see this as they seen the relaunch of the 6er coupe and cabrio . A new model whithout any iconic reputation to hold on to. as was the dilemma from 4er to 3er. But a sore point is that there is an M1
Although BMW would like customers to see that the 2er is the much loved classic 2002 reinvented for the present especially US 2002 enthusiasts..

Enter Motorsport

Another dilema is the inevitable M version . Originally idea of using current M3 six cylinder engine undertaken but decided against for three reasons.

One - Again it is a heavy engine with weight issue , Two - The BMW MZ4 roadster and coupe will feature these engines and thirdly - That Premium compact performance models due not impact into price structure of other segments. Hence the decision to cap the performance of the new baby M car at just under 300 BHP as rivals do not really go above that territory.

The new engine by BMW Motorsport will be based on engine that will feature in the 120Si but be upgraded to have about under 300 BHP - only four cylinders but with the Z4 at six and M3 and eight and the M5 and M6 respectively at 10 - The perfect family unit.

The desire is the E30 M3 - it was so simple and is today a much remembered BMW. With the modern requirements of space , safety , fuel consumption and technology The M3 has progressed and the next M3 is all about progression - technology , layout , performance and dynamics.
The M2 or M1 has the capability to bring back the love of the E30 - driver focused without liability . A CSL is aso a very realistic possibility

SMG already used to acclaim in the M5 and M6 will also spread towards the M3 but not the M2 . In it's place BMW will offer a six speed manual and it's forthcoming ZSG gearbox. Which will also feature in the 120Si

Will consist of from 2006 onwards :

2006 3dr 1er hatchback.
2007 2dr Coupe / 2dr Cabrio
2008 M1 (M2) Available as coupe and cabrio
2008 Touring 3dr.

The CS1 concept - BMW's modern interpretation of the 2002- introduced in 2002 the anniversary of the 2002 (Geddit?)

Was of course the first ideas for the compact BMW this decade.
And the production Coupe and cabrio will follow this idea closely.
The car that will be presented as the 1er (or 2er) Coupe and Cabrio is basicly the production version of the concept - differences will take shape in seperating the hatch from the Coupe and cabio such as different shape sharper triangular headlights and overall front styling changes in the shape of the cooling grill. - The simple aesthetic rear end design of the Concept simplifies the design of the Coupe and Cabrio not too fussy and over detailed.

The coupe will be the most dynamic car in it's class thanks to the attention that has been placed on the cars weight , ride quality and dynamic response due the rear bulkead of the Coupe with offers greater rigidity.

So much excitement is aimed at the 2er that the coupe and cabrio will follow the pattern shown by the 6er coupe and cabrio. coupe first then followed four months later with the cabrio. The coupe and cabrio will be the first models to go sale in the USA - a market that although people are crying out for the 1er BMW AG has denied the current hatch due to current attitudes to small premium cars. In order to anticipate excitment for the upcoming Coupe and Cabrio - BMW are said to be toying with the idea of showing a 1er hatch to gain feedback at the Detroit motor show in January 2006.

Finally an interesting 3dr fastback which recalls the original 1800/2000 Touring is something that is quickly gaining momentum in the product plan.
The 1er has the ability to do something completely challenging to defy convention and this idea has rekindled love from the original 2002.

Based on the incoming coupe a sleek roof folds back on to the rear deck with a sloping glass tailgate a targa sliding roof is a feature that has made the possibilities for production. the initial project came about as a designer just decided to add it on the a cabrio design - they saw the drawing and where convinced on the spot of the potential - The design has attracted attention and BMW would like to offer something new as it will with the RFK and the SAC.