[Update: Live auto show images added.] After initially unveiling the Concept 1 Series tii at the Tokyo Motor Show, BMW has again pulled the wraps off of its 2002-inspired small sports coupe at the Chicago Auto Show. BMW chose to display the Concept 1 Series tii with a brightly colored vintage 2002tii owned by legendary race car driver Bobby Rahal.
BMW reduced the weight of the Concept 1 Series tii over the standard 1-series — although BMW has not specified just how much — through extensive use of carbon fiber on the hood and several other trim pieces. The tii also wears unique bumpers — front and rear — side skirts and 18 inch wheels. The hood fins are a tribute to the high performance 3.0 CSL of the 1970s. That car, called the “Batmobile” in North America, is highly prized by enthusiasts for its performance.
The interior of the concept features black alcantara contrasted by white accents. The gauge cluster is highlighted by a white-face tachometer, hinting at the high-performance intentions of the Concept 1 Series tii. Light weight materials are used throughout, including very thin seats.
Although many journalists in Chicago speculated that the 2002 on display was the one rebuilt by BMW’s in-house vintage parts specialist, Mobile Tradition, during the press conference it was revealed that the Inka Orange classic belongs to Rahal. The race car driver and team owner was on hand to take the wraps off of BMW’s American Le Mans Series M3 race car.
10/24, 9:01 AM
posted by:
jm1681
Absolutely love it
10/24, 9:09 AM
posted by:
Rotman
Looks great, but I still hope they’re bringing out an official M1. The lightest 1-series still comes in 550lbs heavier than the E30 M3. Imagine an M1 with a V6 weighing in at 2500lbs, now that would be something.
10/24, 9:16 AM
posted by:
CTS DRIVER
i like it alot, this would be worth owning, i really dont care much for the 3 anymore.
i have an m1 garand and an m1 carbine, i could see not naming it after ww2 guns, do you think the next cobalt will be the ak-47 adition.
10/24, 9:27 AM
posted by:
e46Ne90
wow i take one just like this minus the side skirts. dead rear view is a killer.
10/24, 9:28 AM
posted by:
CA36GTP
I fell in love with the 1-series the moment I saw it, I love the BMW elegance of the exterior and the simple functionality of the interior which stands out from the recent “let’s see how many buttons we can cram in here” trend.
If I were in the market for a car next year, my choice would likely be either the Pontiac G8 GT or the BMW 135i.
10/24, 9:34 AM
posted by:
sunshine1810
This BMW is dare I say it better looking than the 3 series and this is coming from a 3 owner.
10/24, 9:41 AM
posted by:
lucklaster
Yeah, no doubt about it - they nailed a simple, cool driving machine.
I could see this, for sure.
10/24, 10:39 AM
posted by:
Fletch
Sweet! I think this and the 135i is going to be VERY popular with enthusiasts. We are all giving it the nod.
10/24, 10:39 AM
posted by:
atourya
actually, I see the design of the 1 as being somewhat awkward. Whereas, I think that the 3 series coupe very sexy and well proportioned.
10/24, 11:12 AM
posted by:
inline6
I like everything about the new 1 Coupe, except the taillights…which look like they were lifted directly from a ‘94 Elantra.
10/24, 11:34 AM
posted by:
Impulsive
Sure, it’ll go like mad but it looks awkward. Bulging headlights, horrible taillights, saggy lower-side view, greenhouse looks odd … all of which weighs marginally less than a 3 and costs marginally less than a 3 … no thanks.
10/24, 11:54 AM
posted by:
jamaicandude
This thing has the best chance of being the closest thing to an E30 M3 yet. I like the direction BMW is going with this.
10/24, 12:55 PM
posted by:
global_lightning
Good, because at 3450 lbs this chunky-butt needs to cut down on the carbs and get on the treadmill. The tii represents everything that BMW did right, and the E30 is probably the closest they’ve come to it since.
10/24, 12:56 PM
posted by:
lucklaster
not trying to be a 3 is a good thing.
cool that it’s just a distant cousin.
a guy cousin.
10/24, 2:02 PM
posted by:
Fletch
I thought the 135i was supposed to be 3200lbs, or was that the 128i ???
10/24, 4:58 PM
posted by:
peter g
A tad disproportionate, but looks like great fun!
10/24, 5:01 PM
posted by:
jackjimturkey
No suprise that I like it!
10/24, 5:59 PM
posted by:
Bimmer
Rotman,
where did you see a BMW with a V6? :O
10/24, 7:24 PM
posted by:
1c3d0g
Daaamn…
10/24, 9:18 PM
posted by:
autonut
What a crock of bull****. tii had 40% more ponies over stock engine, this one has 2 more stripes. Shameless prostitution of a goos moniker.
10/25, 9:53 AM
posted by:
Rotman
I got a little bit carried away there Bimmer.
10/31, 9:29 AM
posted by:
Rotman
It will get the 3-liter turbo engine, tuned to 340 horsepower. Now I really want one
02/06, 5:42 PM
posted by:
SwerveEarly
Id buy one, but then Id have to strip it, dip the chassis in acid and leave out half of the unecessary bs in reassemble to get it down to proper weight.
02/06, 7:16 PM
posted by:
CA36GTP
The BMW 1-series is definitely on my shortlist for a future new car. It’s one amazing little automobile.
02/06, 10:10 PM
posted by:
Madcapp
The 1 series is super cool. The “Tii” design study is a fugly, rice lookin’ pile of crap.
02/07, 10:43 AM
posted by:
atourya
delete the racing stripes and paint the hood, and this car would just be amazing.
02/07, 5:22 PM
posted by:
Driven
Show Rahal’s classic BMW 2002. The article mentions it several times but doesn’t show any pictures. At least have one photo if you are going to mention several times how the vintage car was present at this second unveiling. LLN reporting has been slipping a lot lately.
02/07, 8:31 PM
posted by:
Ian
i love this car. simple
02/08, 3:27 AM
posted by:
thezero
normal bmw 1 series coupe is ugly…this one is just a little bit better ….