racerdave
04-29-2004, 06:16 PM
Thus begins the lead article in the "Upfront" car preview section of the June issue.
And yes, the subject is the 1-series. To finish the opening paragraph: "BMW has no plans to sell this new 1-series hatchback in the US. Now an upper: It does see a market for the 2-series coupe and cabriolet that will be derived from this four-door hatch."
It does go on to say the entry through the rear doors is snug, and so is rear seat room.
It also makes mention of this: "... the still-secret NG6 direct-injetion six, due to be launched in the 3-series next year." That's the first I've heard direct injection being mentioned, but I might have just missed other references.
On to the good stuff...
"On a test drive in France, we found the 1-series drives like a real BMW and achieves its aim of becoming the best-handling car in its class.... We were struck by the steering's meaty weighting -- no speed-sensitve power steering here -- and it's perfectly balanced with the clutch action, the precision of the gear change and even the electronic throttle's action. The car stays flat -- there's no pitch or lift under maximum acceleration or braking -- and it feels nimble and beautifully balanced. The steering is sharp. It turns into corners instantly, and allows the car's attitude to be finely tuned with the accelerator.
"This handling comes at a clear trade-off in ride comfort. The 1-series is taut-riding and restless, and the engineers plan to dial back the spring and damper rates to increase the suspension's suppleness.
"Nothing in this class comes close to matching this little car's adjustability of handling, the agility of the chassis, the steering precision and feel, or the eagerness to flatter the driver. We'd argue that none of today's other BMW's -- including the Z4 and 645i -- so intimately links the driver with the action."
Ok... I gotta study now. :)
And yes, the subject is the 1-series. To finish the opening paragraph: "BMW has no plans to sell this new 1-series hatchback in the US. Now an upper: It does see a market for the 2-series coupe and cabriolet that will be derived from this four-door hatch."
It does go on to say the entry through the rear doors is snug, and so is rear seat room.
It also makes mention of this: "... the still-secret NG6 direct-injetion six, due to be launched in the 3-series next year." That's the first I've heard direct injection being mentioned, but I might have just missed other references.
On to the good stuff...
"On a test drive in France, we found the 1-series drives like a real BMW and achieves its aim of becoming the best-handling car in its class.... We were struck by the steering's meaty weighting -- no speed-sensitve power steering here -- and it's perfectly balanced with the clutch action, the precision of the gear change and even the electronic throttle's action. The car stays flat -- there's no pitch or lift under maximum acceleration or braking -- and it feels nimble and beautifully balanced. The steering is sharp. It turns into corners instantly, and allows the car's attitude to be finely tuned with the accelerator.
"This handling comes at a clear trade-off in ride comfort. The 1-series is taut-riding and restless, and the engineers plan to dial back the spring and damper rates to increase the suspension's suppleness.
"Nothing in this class comes close to matching this little car's adjustability of handling, the agility of the chassis, the steering precision and feel, or the eagerness to flatter the driver. We'd argue that none of today's other BMW's -- including the Z4 and 645i -- so intimately links the driver with the action."
Ok... I gotta study now. :)