What is it?
BMW 1 Series Accessories
What's special about it?
It may have only just landed in North America, but BMW is already busy ramping up the performance, handling and appearance of its entry-level 1 Series coupe through a range of distinctive new retrofit accessories developed to the same standards and quality as its production cars.
Revealed here officially for the first time prior to a public debut at the 2008 Geneva Auto Show, the new line of go-fast add-ons will allow 1 Series customers to modify the critically acclaimed two-door to a specification similar to that of BMW's tii concept car shown at last year's Tokyo auto show.
Comprising engine, suspension, brake, body and interior upgrades, the so-called Performance Accessory package is being sold through official BMW dealers, service partners and retail outlets, with a similar range promised for the larger 3 Series by early April. All the various modifications come with an as-yet-unspecified warranty and full service backup.
Heading the list of accessories is a series of styling tweaks to give the 1 Series coupe an even racier appearance, including a deeper front bumper with large cooling ducts and an altered kidney grille, restyled side sills, trick carbon-fiber door mirrors and trunk spoiler as well as twin chromed tailpipes. Additionally, there is a choice of different graphics, among which is a look echoing that of the tii concept car.
It is not only the exterior than gets a rework. BMW has also gone to town on the interior, providing buyers with the option of new sport seats, a new range of carbon-fiber-look trims and a clever, new steering wheel inspired by that used by the German carmaker's F1 drivers, Nick Heidfeld and Robert Kubica. Fitted with an LED display in the upper section, it provides information on oil and water temperature, lateral and longitudinal acceleration, optimum shift points for the gearbox as well as the time.
The mechanical upgrades include detailed changes to the suspension, with a carbon-fiber strut tower brace providing added stiffness, retuned springs that lower the ride height and the choice of either 18- or 19-inch wheels covered with 215/40 low-profile tires. Buyers will also be able to specify upgraded brakes with six-pot calipers painted yellow up front.
The engine, meanwhile, can be tuned with a new inlet manifold. Available on all six-cylinder models, it doesn't bring any major increase in output but is claimed to enhance response and provide upscale versions of the 1 Series with a throatier exhaust note.
What's Edmunds' take?
If there were any doubts that BMW wants to attract younger buyers with the 1 Series, this new line of accessories should lay them to rest. — Andreas Stahl, Contributor
BMW 1 Series Accessories
What's special about it?
It may have only just landed in North America, but BMW is already busy ramping up the performance, handling and appearance of its entry-level 1 Series coupe through a range of distinctive new retrofit accessories developed to the same standards and quality as its production cars.
Revealed here officially for the first time prior to a public debut at the 2008 Geneva Auto Show, the new line of go-fast add-ons will allow 1 Series customers to modify the critically acclaimed two-door to a specification similar to that of BMW's tii concept car shown at last year's Tokyo auto show.
Comprising engine, suspension, brake, body and interior upgrades, the so-called Performance Accessory package is being sold through official BMW dealers, service partners and retail outlets, with a similar range promised for the larger 3 Series by early April. All the various modifications come with an as-yet-unspecified warranty and full service backup.
Heading the list of accessories is a series of styling tweaks to give the 1 Series coupe an even racier appearance, including a deeper front bumper with large cooling ducts and an altered kidney grille, restyled side sills, trick carbon-fiber door mirrors and trunk spoiler as well as twin chromed tailpipes. Additionally, there is a choice of different graphics, among which is a look echoing that of the tii concept car.
It is not only the exterior than gets a rework. BMW has also gone to town on the interior, providing buyers with the option of new sport seats, a new range of carbon-fiber-look trims and a clever, new steering wheel inspired by that used by the German carmaker's F1 drivers, Nick Heidfeld and Robert Kubica. Fitted with an LED display in the upper section, it provides information on oil and water temperature, lateral and longitudinal acceleration, optimum shift points for the gearbox as well as the time.
The mechanical upgrades include detailed changes to the suspension, with a carbon-fiber strut tower brace providing added stiffness, retuned springs that lower the ride height and the choice of either 18- or 19-inch wheels covered with 215/40 low-profile tires. Buyers will also be able to specify upgraded brakes with six-pot calipers painted yellow up front.
The engine, meanwhile, can be tuned with a new inlet manifold. Available on all six-cylinder models, it doesn't bring any major increase in output but is claimed to enhance response and provide upscale versions of the 1 Series with a throatier exhaust note.
What's Edmunds' take?
If there were any doubts that BMW wants to attract younger buyers with the 1 Series, this new line of accessories should lay them to rest. — Andreas Stahl, Contributor
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