BMW officials have confirmed to Winding Road at a corporate event this week that the 1-series will be making its way to the US shores in 2008. Although there are some official company statements released saying that the 1-series is due for the US market in two years a source within BMW’s company however said that is an overstatement and confirmed that the 1-series will be announced for the US market before the end of 2007. Sales of the 1-series is expected to start early in 2008.

And that is not the best news yet—the 1-series that will debut at the US market will possess BMW’s fabulous new twin-turbo, 3.0 liter inline-6. This is the same engine found in the new BMW 335i coupe and convertible that features the piezo direct injection and delivers significantly more thrust than its official 300hp rating suggests. The 1-series has also lighter weight; its powerful hatch should be able to beat the 335i’s sprint to 62mph by 5.1 seconds. Its performance is comparable to that of the previous M3. Also coming to the US market is BMW’s newest naturally aspirated 3.0 liter inline-6.

The 1-series cars that would debut at the US market will be two-door versions only. This means that the US market will miss out on the five-door version. But BMW has made it clear that additional models will be added later on but they would like first to get a quick read on the viability of the car’s acceptance in the US before they deploy other models. The 135i and 130i will also be launch in two-door hatchback forms and soon probably a two-door convertible and sedan with a proper trunk will also be offered but of course this is something for BMW to decide on.

Prices for the 1-series hasn’t been finalized but expect the car to cost somewhere between the BMW 3-series and MINI.

Facts on the BMW 1-series

The BMW 1-series with codename E87 is a small luxury car/small family car manufactured by the German automaker BMW since 2004. The 1-series were created to compete with Audi A3 and Volkswagen Golf. The 1-series is also the only vehicle in its class that features rear-wheel-drive and longitudinally-mounted engine.

BMW 1-series was first offered to the market in 2004 as a 5-door hatchback was offered as a replacement for BMW 3-series compact range. The 1-series is currently the smallest and most affordable vehicle depending on the engine model of course offered in the BMW range. Unlike the first generation of 1-series the all-new 1-series of BMW is built on its platform (E87) but its shares many components with the E90 3 Series.

BMW’s 1-series is built in Regensburg, Germany while some of its engines are from the Hams Hall plant in Birmingham England. In the year 2005 it became one of BMW’s most successful products with 149, 493 units sold.

About BMW

BMW AG is an independent German Company and manufacturer of automobiles, quality auto parts like window regulators & motors and others, and motorcycles. It was founded by Karl Friedrich Rapp who was originally an aircraft engine manufacturer. BMW is the parent company of the MINI and Rolls-Royce car brands and formerly Rover.

During the last decade, the SUV revolution produced a new breed of family vehicles with comfortable seating plans and expanded cargo space. Most SUV designs provide room that a four-door sedan could never come close to attaining yet, there was still something missing for families that needed maximum seating, comfort and convenience. With the release of the 2007 X5, BMW has come one step closer to the ideal SUV design with its new third row seating option.

Not just for large families, the new third row seating option is the perfect solution to shared transportation arrangements that require a few more children to be added at a moments notice. In the past, the BMW X5 accommodated three children comfortably in the rear seat. Today, the new 2007 X5 third row seating option gives drivers more flexibility without comprising comfort or safety.

Unlike competing designs that cut down on cargo space in order to accommodate a larger seating plan, the 2007 BMW X5 provides a sizeable cargo space, even when the optional third-row seat is in use. On those days when your need for cargo space outweighs seating capacity, fold down the third-row seat. With the seat down, there will be more than enough space to load sporting equipment, groceries, or a space for the family pet.

BMW has worked hard to satisfy the customer demands and has released the redesigned 2007 X5 so that families no longer have to take multiple cars, make multiple trips, or sit uncomfortably together when needing to transport more than five people. Spacious, luxurious, and sporty, the 2007 BMW X5 purchased with the optional third-row seat, is a dream come true.

If you live in New Jersey would like to be one of the first people in your area to see the new 2007 BMW X5, you are invited to a special 2007 X5 Launch Event at Circle BMW in Monmouth County, NJ on November 30, 2006. Circle BMW is located on Route 36 in Eatontown across from the DMV facility.

I’m a customer at the dealership and extend this invitation to those wanting to get a first look at the new X5. RSVP is required. Call 732-440-1200 and ask for General Manager Steve Rudkin.

Masterful – that’s how auto critics describe BMW in connection with the manner by which it guides its Mini premium cars to achieve success in the auto market share.

From its inception in 2001, Mini has already made money. The latest lineup of Mini, which will go on sale this month in Europe to be followed by the United States, is expected to deliver stable profit chain.

According to Dresdner Kleinwort, Frankfurt, Germany-based investment banker, “Mini earned net income of $148 million in 2003 for its owners BMW, progressing steadily to $185 million in 2005 and is likely to reach $260 million in 2007.” Mini started with modest sales target. On its initial years, the target was 100,000 per annum. Then, the number drastically grows to 120,000 and eventually accelerated to 200,000 last year.

“They (BMW) started the first Mini with a very conservative production approach. After they realised the strong demand, they added capacity nearly overnight. So, I’m pretty sure that they’ve again established a process which will allow pushing production beyond 300,000 cars if the customer demands,” says Stephen Reitman, Merrill Lynch European auto analyst.

Mini is expected to reach higher grounds. “The Mini has been a phenomenal success, better than anyone expected, including BMW, but sales are close to their peaks, certainly in Europe,” says Al Bedwell, J.D.Power Automotive Forecasting analyst.

Auto analysts affirm that Mini is a big thing in the United States. “Currently Mini sells in the states (about) the same number as in the U.K. The U.S. sells seven times more cars than the U.K., so I’m convinced there exists a lot of additional potential,” says Ferdinand Dudenhoeffer, managing director of automotive consultants B&D Forecast of Bochum.

In addition, auto analysts are saying that BMW can benefit from the soaring mix of sales S, Cooper and basic Mini Ones. Parts Mini are now being enhanced and made more sophisticated to hook car aficionados.

“And you are right. Mini is more of a fashion/luxury item and thus the concept is probably better comparable to Porsche than to normal car business. Therefore I also think it is not about practicability, but customers buy the car to make a statement,” says Christoph Dolleschal, auto analyst with Dresdner Kleinwort. “Profitability wise the new Mini should do better than the old one. Pricing point is unchanged. However I think they’ve gained experience in production and simply are able to produce the car cheaper than the previous versions,” he added.