BMW Prices U.S.-Spec 2011 1-Series M Coupe and 2012 650i Convertible at NAIAS 2011

At the 2011 Detroit Auto Show, BMW announced pricing information for the U.S.-spec 2011 1-Series M Coupe, face-lifted 2012 1-Series, and the all-new 2012 650i Convertible.

The revised entry-level 128i Coupe starts from $31,825, while the much anticipated 1-Series M Coupe with the 335HP turbocharged inline-six is priced at $47,010 and will be available in limited quantity. The new generation of 650i Convertible starts at $91,375. All prices include an $875 destination and handling fee.

For the 2012 model year, all 1-Series variants received a mild exterior makeover and come with iPod/USB integration. Furthermore, certain models feature an innovative Air Curtain system (128i), which reduces wind resistance, Xenon adaptive headlights and power seats with adjustable lumbar support as standard (135i).

The 128i Convertible models get larger, 17-inch alloys, while the 135i Convertible comes with 18-inch rims. By adding a through-loading system, engineers also managed to improve the storage capacity of all open-top versions.

The complete price list of the 2012 BMW 1-Series is as follows:

128i Coupe $31,825

135i Coupe $39,925

128i Convertible $37,475

135i Convertible $44,675

The 2012 BMW 650i Convertible is powered by a 4.4-liter turbocharged V8 engine, rated at 400 hp and 450 lb-ft (610 Nm) of torque, which can be mated either to a 6-speed manual or an optional 8-speed automatic transmission. BMW says that the new model offers more passenger space, improved ergonomics and better materials. Just like the previous generation, the new 6-Series Convertible has a soft top that can retract in just 19 seconds at speeds up to 25 mph (40 km/h).

Sales of the 2012 1-Series, 2011 1-Series M Coupe and 2012 650i Convertible will start this spring.

By Csaba Daradics

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READ MORE - BMW Prices U.S.-Spec 2011 1-Series M Coupe and 2012 650i Convertible at NAIAS 2011

Three World Premieres for BMW at the 2011 Detroit Show

In less than three weeks from now, the 2011 North American International Auto Show [NAIAS] will open its doors at the Cobo Hall in Detroit, and BMW will be there with three world premieres. These include the new 6-Series Convertible, the punchy 1-Series M Coupe and the revitalized for the 2011MY, 1-Series Coupe and Convertible. We've already had a chance to see all three models, so no surprise there, that is, unless the Bavarians have something else up their sleeves.

In more detail, the first version of the next generation 6-Series sports car is the Convertible, which will launch as the 650i equipped with a 400HP 4.4-liter turbocharged V8 linked to either a six-speed manual or an 8-speed automatic transmission. The new 650i Convertible will go on sale in the spring of 2011 as a 2012 model for the United States, while the Coupe model will follow shortly after.

Next in line is the beefed up 1 Series M Coupe boasting a twin-turbocharged, all-aluminum, 3.0-liter inline-6 with 335 ponies driving the rear wheels through a standard close ratio 6-speed manual transmission. The new 1 Series M Coupe will be available in limited quantities next spring.

Finally, the 1 Series Coupe and Convertible enter the 2011 model year with some subtle styling tweaks and interior improvements, while keeping the same hardware. As with the other two BMWs, the updated 1s go on sale in spring of 2011.

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2012 BMW M6 Rendering Based on Paris Show Concept Car

BMW fan-boy and talented photoshop artist Gerald Alvarez (aka Bimmerpost forum member Alpine325ci), continues his series of future BMW renderings, this time with a new 'chop of the next generation M6 sports coupe. Alvarez used the freshly revealed at last week's Paris Motor Show, Concept 6-Series Coupe, as the base car to create the M6 rendering adding typical 'M' model styling traits such as the bumper, side skirt and alloy wheel designs.

The actual 2012 M6 should make its appearance either alongside or shortly after next year's presentation of the production F12 6-Series Coupe and Convertible models.

As we've repeatedly mentioned, the new M6 says 'bye-bye' to the previous model's naturally-aspirated 507HP 5.0-liter V10, and 'hallo' to a downsized, twin-turbocharged V8 sourced from the X5 M and X6 M crossovers, with power being delivered to the rear axle through the Bavarian firm's seven-speed twin-clutch transmission.

We don't have any numbers (yet), but it is believed that in the M6, the re-tuned V8 will deliver more than the 555HP and 680Nm or 501-lbs/ft of peak torque it does on the X5 M and X6 M models.

Via: E90Post , Photo: Gerald Alvarez / Alpince325ci

READ MORE - 2012 BMW M6 Rendering Based on Paris Show Concept Car

BMW’s Concept 6 Series Coupe Live from Paris: What do You Think? [Updated]

*Post has now been updated with a video of the car from the Paris Show floor featuring BMW's Design Director Adrian Van Hooydonk

Here are the first live pictures of BMW's Concept 6 Series Coupe at the Paris Motor Show. As previously reported, this is nothing more than a thinly disguised 2011 6 Series Coupe, which is set to arrive in showrooms next year with straight-six and V8 engine options.

Here's the skinny: Bangle is out, Van Hooydonk is in (as the Bavarian firm's design boss, as Van Hooydonk was responsible for the exterior of the previous 6er). Phil has already given you his 'Two Dents' on the concept based on the pre-show photos. Now here's my take on the live pictures:

The front there-quarters remind me of an aging actress who has recently had a facelift: her lips have been pulled long and thin, her eyes bulge out of the sockets and her ears are drawn back. The rear three-quarter, on the other hand, is a little too much like the current 3-series coupe.

Many of our readers were very vocal with their opinions on our last post. So our question is this: what do you think of BMW's Concept 6 Series Coupe now that you've seen the live pictures? Is it better, or worse? Tell us in the comments section below.

By Tristan Hankins

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READ MORE - BMW’s Concept 6 Series Coupe Live from Paris: What do You Think? [Updated]

VIDEO: BMW Clip Shows 6-Series Coupe Concept Inside and Out

While not the action-packed video we were hoping for, nevertheless, here are the first official clips of BMW's Concept 6-Series Coupé that will take center stage at the firm's Paris Motor Show stand next week.

The two new promotional videos walk us around the exterior as well as the interior of the Bavarian GT. Despite being billed as a concept, the production version of the 6-Series Coupe, which is expected to arrive in showrooms next year, will only get some minor styling changes such as more subtle tail pipe and exterior mirror designs. Scroll down to watch both videos.

READ MORE - VIDEO: BMW Clip Shows 6-Series Coupe Concept Inside and Out

My Two Dents on the New BMW 6-Series Coupe Concept

Finally, we've gotten a glimpse at the new 6-Series Coupe. Not the Gran Coupe nor the Gran Turismo, but the actual, factual, second-gen new 6-Series. Although it's technically called a concept, you know what we're dealing with. This is supposed to be BMW's big GT, but when picturing it on the street next to a Maserati GranTurismo for example, the car just doesn't impress on a major scale. It's not all bad, though.

The exterior is very expected, and thus bland. "Bland" because the 6-Series is a car you buy for its outward appearance as well as interior finish, and the appearance just isn't "chic" enough to fit the bill. That's not to say it doesn't look good, but its face could have been more "well-tailored prom king" and less "plain Jane at locker 47" (fingers crossed for the M6). Considering the 6-Series' target consumer has a high-school mentality, its pretty but average exterior might hurt it in the long run.

The nose is where it really loses points for me; it's just too busy and simple at the same time. The rest of the exterior, though, is quite a nice evolution. That flare that drops from the front fenders into the rockers is very attractive and does a good job of adding depth to an otherwise 2D surface (character line or no). At the rear, the 6-Series' tail - with its snazzy wraparound lights - succeeds nicely in evolving away from the Bangle butt and blends nicely with the rest of the car (and lineup).

As previously mentioned, both interior and exterior styling are equally important in this segment, making the new 6-Series slightly unbalanced. How so? While the exterior is pretty but beige, the interior is jaw-droppingly stunning.

Under the glass roof, the 6-Series' concept's interior is an eyes-wide event. Its layout is driver-centric and appears to be tailored for a king, all while screaming at you with B&O speakers.

Lines cross at obscure points and the materials are interestingly fitted in order to make the inner realm of BMW's GT a time consumer to look at (in a good way). It simply takes a while to fully absorb all the details and it's delightful.

Set to fill the gap of between the 5- and 7-Series, this car is almost exactly as expected and thus a tad disappointing from a passer-by's standpoint. To debut this at Paris, a show viewed as the models' runway of the automotive world (i.e. the outside is what everyone sees first and judges...harshly), indicates that BMW may truly be running into a design dead-end.

If that's the case, BMW's "dontblogaboutthis" car had better be a fan-friggin-tastic techno tour de force because the next 6-Series is shaping up to be a vehicle where it's only what's on the inside that counts. As always, sales will tell the story, and facelifts are always there should the need arise.

By Phil Alex

READ MORE - My Two Dents on the New BMW 6-Series Coupe Concept