Not To Be Underestimated // BMW's 1-Series

Where have all the cool coupes gone? At one point, not to far in the rearview of automotive manufacturing, small two door coupes with powerful four cylinder engines, tight and nimble suspensions and affordable price tags, were carving the roads from Highway 101 to the Autobahn. Cars like the Datsun 510, BMW 2002 and Alfa Romeo GTV. Those days seemed lost, with the manufactures focusing on four door, rally inspired turbo beasts. BMW has re-thought this dilemma, deciding it the appropriate time to introduce what Europe has been in love with for a number of years now. Having been in production in Germany since 2004 as the E87 variation (Europeans get all the goods first) the new 1-Series is now being shipped stateside. By far the most affordable automobile in the BMW lineup, don’t think this coupe to be a factory floor defect, prices slashed to move product quickly. The 1-Series is as competent as its big brother, the E90 3-Series, actually sharing nearly 60% of the components used to produce BMW’s most popular model. The 2008 1-Series, also known as the E82, will feature both a coupe and convertible model, and have horsepower offerings and model variations to fit your budget. The 135i, the flagship of the line, will feature a 3.0L turbocharged in-line six, cranking out 306bhp and nearly 300 pound feet of torque. While the more subtle, yet equally capable 128i will feature a 3.0L normally aspirated in-line six, producing 230bhp and 200 pound feet of torque. Pricing starting at $28,600 makes this somewhat reminiscent of what BMW was offering in the 2002 models. Now for a bit of tomfoolery //