Might BMW be considering bringing the 5-door 1-Series Stateside? This one was spotted just a couple of days ago. Or, is this just another gray-market import? Don't know...
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adb4 says:
05:11 AM, 03/27/08
1. Many automakers have west coast design operations.
2. Many automakers buy competitive vehicles to evaluate.
Let's take the route of Occam's Razor--the simplest solution is that one of BMW's competitors bought it to evaluate it. BMW has said over, and over, and over again that the US hates hatchbacks.
eldaino says:
06:07 AM, 03/27/08
i don't think americans hate hatchbacks, they just hate the word.
the scion tc, the acura rsx and countless other coupe styled hatchbacks are very popular, they just do without the term even though thats techincally what they are.
personally, i'd take this over the 1 series coupe if i were in the market for one.
rsholland says:
06:10 AM, 03/27/08
I agree. Much to Subaru's surprise, their new 5-door Impreza is selling much better than expected—and even better than the 4-door model.
I think that "America hates hatchbacks" is last week's news, and no longer applies.
Bob
sabastian says:
06:56 AM, 03/27/08
Looks like the badge is blacked out which tells me that it might be a tester. Last summer I saw an Opel Astra CC in Washington DC...I wonder if Saturn will bring that car over...
sandcountry360 says:
07:13 AM, 03/27/08
Does anyone know what type of plate it had on it? Standard California plate, or what? And I never realized how much that thing looks like a Honda Fit until now! And I agree with Bob, look how well hatches are doing now. When was the last time you Didn't see a Fit, Versa, Matrix/Vibe, etc. when you went somewhere? And, while I know they aren't flying off dealer lots, isn't Audi having some success with the A3? I think the time is right. Especially if they bring it with a small Diesel. And a big one! 135d hatch, anyone?
Side note: is anyone else having problems viewing comments on the gas tax article and the windsheild-clearer thing from a few days ago? I keep getting this: "No access to view this discussion"
rsholland says:
07:17 AM, 03/27/08
Those entries are showing fine here.
kurtamaxxxguy says:
07:26 AM, 03/27/08
I remember BMW imported a hatch version of the 3, and it did not sell well so they discontinued it. Interesting that they could be trying again with the 1.
Perhaps tide is turning in favor of hatches? If so, about time. They can be just as stylish and polished as a sedan, and are far more flexible.
stovt001 says:
08:32 AM, 03/27/08
I hope BMW brings the proper versions of the 1 series out here, but I'm not holding my breath.
I don't think Americans hate hatchbacks nearly as much as BMW thinks. The Mazda 3 and GTI sell very well, as do many other hatchbacks. Given how ugly the coupe is, they could probably get some interest in the real 1 series. That still leaves the major problem as the 1 series weighing and costing nearly as much as a 3 series.
noflash1 says:
08:39 AM, 03/27/08
BMW considered their last US 4-banger hatchback a failure and it was the butt of many EuroLuxSnob jokes. Remember the 318?
I think it hurt BMW so bad they'll never bring a hatch or four cyl here again.
Too bad - a 118d gets 50mpg.
nf
edarya says:
10:00 AM, 03/27/08
I've seen that car eastbound on I-10 in Santa Monica a little while ago. It took me by surprise.
sunilb says:
11:09 AM, 03/27/08
I'll take this opportunity (and future ones) to re-iterate my continued desire for a 123d 5-door BMW to make it to our shores. I will buy one if they bring this (40+ mpg, hatchback functionality, RWD, seating for 4 and a little storage).
estreka says:
11:52 AM, 03/27/08
I believe the reason the 3-series hatch failed was because it was available only in 318 guise (I think).
Side note: I, too cannot view the BMW discussion. Same error.
sandcountry360 says:
12:09 PM, 03/27/08
In my opinion the 318ti and the C230 "Sport Coupe" failed because they had little space, little functionality (due to the 2-door layout), course, underpowered 4-cylinder engines, and most people realized that, for the money, something like a fully-loaded Accord or Eclipse was a much better buy. That, and people just didn't understand hatchback cars back then (but hatchback Trucks were cool for some reason). Hopefully BMW will eventually understand that the market has changed, and people are more receptive to hatchbacks now, especially high-efficiency ones. I think a tiny four-banger gasoline engine would be a bad idea, so let the gas engines stay I-6 only, but bring over the small diesel 4's for the entry level! The price would have to be less than what the coupe's going for in order for it to work.
opfreak says:
01:01 PM, 03/27/08
looks kind of like a blotted mazda 3 crossed with a new imperza 08, ii a style of the new matrix.
blueguydotcom says:
02:29 PM, 03/27/08
I see these constantly as the 1 series is sold in Mexico and San Diego gets tons of rich shoppers from TJ crossing over to hit Fashion Valley.
carzzi says:
02:33 PM, 03/27/08
Yes, blueguydotcom, Mexican registered euro cars are a common sight in TX as well. I've seen a VW Sharan, a Peugeot 206 and even the abominable Mercedes A-class!
ateixeira says:
06:11 AM, 03/28/08
I like the idea of a 5 door, but this makes the Impreza look like a super model. It might be the least attractive 5 door on the market.
82nis says:
06:31 PM, 04/22/08
i like the idea of a 1-series hatchback. it would give the an alternative to the Audi A3 and competition for, from my point of view, the WRX, Mazdaspeed3, VW GTI and many more. and will give the 1-series more competitive.