Rumors: BMW to Reveal 1-Series Grand Turismo at the Paris Motor Show [with Spy Video]

There's a lot going on at BMW these days but no project is bound to be more divisive than the firm's first front-wheel drive model, the upcoming 1-Series Grand Turismo, which was previously known by the acronym F.A.S.T., which stands for Family Activity Sports Tourer.
Citing inside sources, the crew over at the BMW Blog reported that the 1-Series GT would make its world premiere at the upcoming 2012 Paris Motor Show this fall.

BMW 1 Series M Coupe: Official Teaser Video and Photos of Smallest Ever M Model

[Updated] Just moments ago BMW released the first teaser video of the hotly-anticipated 1 Series M Coupe (that's the official name the Bavarian company is -currently- using for the car). No details about the powertrain or performance specs have been revealed, though in the video after the jump, M boss Kay Segler leaves no doubt that the 1-Series M Coupe will be a powerful machine that will give its driver "the goose pimples" [...].

The video shots suggest that the 1 Series M model will get the usual "M treatment" with extended wheel arches and a bodykit with unique bumpers and side skirts. According to Segler, the smallest ever BMW to wear the M-badge will arrive in showrooms in the first half of 2011. More to come so stay tuned...

BMW Drops 250 Photos of the New and Possibly Last RWD 1-Series Hatchback

We have already seen and reported on the brand-new 2012 BMW 1-Series, which was revealed a couple of months ahead of its world premiere, which is scheduled for the rapidly approaching Frankfurt Motor Show this September.
Nevertheless, if the first batch of photos didn�t do the trick for you, you�ll be happy to know that today, BMW released a massive gallery with some 250 pictures of its compact sized hatchback, which may very well be the last version to feature a rear-wheel drive layout as the Bavarians are rumored to be planning a switch to a front-wheel drive platform for the next generation model.
But enough with the talking. Hop over the jump to check out all the high-res gallery.

BMW Readying FWD 1-Series GT for 2014 Launch

*2012 BMW 1-Series Hatchback Pictured above

It�s no secret that BMW is getting ready to adopt a front-wheel drive layout for its smaller models including certain versions of the next generation of the 1-Series. BMW�s decision has already sparked a lot of discussions whether its front-wheel drive products will remain true to the brand�s �ultimate driving machine� motto or an insult to the company�s heritage.
Now it seems that the day we will see the first front-wheel drive BMW is closer than we thought. According to Autocar magazine, the 1-Series GT, which is said to be a more practical version featuring a high-rising tail like the 5-Series GT, will be the first BMW to adopt front-wheel drive. Its launch is scheduled for 2014.

Kanye West Beware: BMW�s 1-Series Composes its Own Music

It�s a fact that car manufacturers go to great lengths to promote their new products. Traditional means like TV and press advertising are so last year �and so is celebrity endorsement, though they are still employed by the carmakers. However, the new place to be are the social media, like Facebook, Twitter and Youtube.
BMW has gone one step further in promoting its brand-new 2012 1-Series: it has created a video clip named �check my machine� which shows the process of manufacturing the car.

BMW Creates New Performance Edition models to Celebrate Sponsorship of 2012 London Olympics

There are many ways to celebrate the sponsorship of an event like the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, but when it comes to automakers, the norm is the introduction of special edition models.
For BMW, the festivities over its sponsorship of the games begin with the UK launch of two new Performance Edition models based on the 1-Series hatchback and 3-Series sedan.

BMW 1-Series M Coupé by Kelleners

BMW 1-Series M Coupé by Kelleners

The German tuner Kellener has tuned the BMW 1-Series M Coupe for the high performance featuring over 410HP.
The BMW 1 series M coupe is modified with new tuned turbocharged straight-six cylinder engine with an delivering output power of 410HP, (301 kW / 404 bhp) and 550 Nm of torque (405 lb-ft) instead of the series 340 PS (250 kW) and 450 Nm (332 lb-ft) - With an increase of 20% percent.

Kelleners Sports packages Includes a adjustable coilover suspension kit and a set of 20"inch (Hamburg or Berlin) design alloy-wheels wrapped with low-profile sports performance tires 245/30/R20 tires at the front and 265/30/R20 tires at the rear,front spoiler lip and a 3-part MS grill insert made of stainless-steel.

Interior features Includes: a cabin finished with two-tone black and white perforated leather and Alcantara covering the dashboard, door panels and front and rear seats,hand brake and gear pouch.

After complete conversion it is named has KS1-S.

BMW 1-Series M Coupé by Kelleners -- PHOTO GALLERY

Kelleners Sport Tunes the BMW 1-Series M Coupe to 410HP

German aftermarket firm Kelleners Sport is one of the first official tuners to get its hands on the new BMW 1-Series M Coupe and offer a complete conversion. Named KS1-S, the modified 1 M Coupe�s turbocharged straight-six now delivers 410-horses, or a good 20% more than the standard car, and just 10HP short of the E92 M3, while torque is increased from 450 to 550 Nm or 405.7 lb-ft.

BMW Boss Says Front-Wheel Drive Bimmers will be �The Ultimate Driving Machine�

The times, they are a-Changing sang Bob Dylan, and they did. And for the most part, it�s for the better �or we�d still be living in caves. But when one of the staples of the motoring world embraces a new philosophy, be prepared for the purists to cry �FAIL�. The news of BMW adopting front-wheel-drive for its future compact models is the perfect example.
For decades Munich has bombarded us with its naturally aspirated in-line engines, be that with 4, 6, 8 or 10 cylinders along with 50/50 perfect weight distribution and the �ultimate driving machine� tag.

Now turbos are all the rage, even in the M-division and they are trickling down to the rest of the lineup in the name of fuel economy and CO2 emissions. But a FWD BMW? Where is this world coming to?

BMW Boss Says Front-Wheel Drive Bimmers will be �The Ultimate Driving Machine�

The times, they are a-Changing sang Bob Dylan, and they did. And for the most part, it�s for the better �or we�d still be living in caves. But when one of the staples of the motoring world embraces a new philosophy, be prepared for the purists to cry �FAIL�. The news of BMW adopting front-wheel-drive for its future compact models is the perfect example.
For decades Munich has bombarded us with its naturally aspirated in-line engines, be that with 4, 6, 8 or 10 cylinders along with 50/50 perfect weight distribution and the �ultimate driving machine� tag.

Now turbos are all the rage, even in the M-division and they are trickling down to the rest of the lineup in the name of fuel economy and CO2 emissions. But a FWD BMW? Where is this world coming to?

Audi RS3 Sportback Takes on BMW 1 M Coupe in Quarter Mile Duel

The Audi RS3 Sportback and the BMW 1 M Coupe represent two very different approaches on the compact sport model segment.
Ingolstadt�s proposal is a five-door model that looks more like a hotted-up small station wagon than a hatchback. It features a 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-five producing 340-horsepower and 450 Nm (331.90 lb-ft) linked to Audi�s all-wheel drive quattro system and a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox.

U-Spy: New MINI Coupe and BMW 1-Series Hatchback Spotted on the Road

Eagle-eyed Carscoop reader Michael from Germany is always on the lookout for any new cars and prototypes on the road. His latest catch is the freshly revealed MINI Coupe in a blue suit with silver stripes, while he also seized a couple of shots of the new BMW 1-Series hatchback, both of which were spotted in Munich.
The new MINI Coupe was only just unveiled online a couple of days ago, so we assume the car pictured is most likely an early production version used for testing.

BMW 1-Series M Coupe

The BMW 1-Series M Coupe is pretty fast on paper. Reaching the 60 mph (96 km/h) mark in just 4.7 seconds is no small feat, but nowadays, it seems that performance cars need to have a respectable �Ring� time under there belt to command respect. Now, a forum member of the 1Addicts fan site who calls himself "SteveD" claims that the Ring time for the 335-horsepower strong M model is 8 minutes and 12 seconds.

If true (and according to the N�rburgring lap times list posted on Wikipedia), this means the entry-level M model is 10 seconds faster than the E46 M3, on par with the E86 Z4 M Coupe, but 7 seconds slower than the E92 M3.