BMW officials have confirmed to Winding Road at a corporate event this week that the 1-series will be making its way to the US shores in 2008. Although there are some official company statements released saying that the 1-series is due for the US market in two years a source within BMW's company however said that is an overstatement and confirmed that the 1-series will be announced for the US market before the end of 2007. Sales of the 1-series is expected to start early in 2008.

And that is not the best news yet---the 1-series that will debut at the US market will possess BMW's fabulous new twin-turbo, 3.0 liter inline-6. This is the same engine found in the new BMW 335i coupe and convertible that features the piezo direct injection and delivers significantly more thrust than its official 300hp rating suggests. The 1-series has also lighter weight; its powerful hatch should be able to beat the 335i's sprint to 62mph by 5.1 seconds. Its performance is comparable to that of the previous M3. Also coming to the US market is BMW's newest naturally aspirated 3.0 liter inline-6.

The 1-series cars that would debut at the US market will be two-door versions only. This means that the US market will miss out on the five-door version. But BMW has made it clear that additional models will be added later on but they would like first to get a quick read on the viability of the car's acceptance in the US before they deploy other models. The 135i and 130i will also be launch in two-door hatchback forms and soon probably a two-door convertible and sedan with a proper trunk will also be offered but of course this is something for BMW to decide on.

Prices for the 1-series hasn't been finalized but expect the car to cost somewhere between the BMW 3-series and MINI.

Facts on the BMW 1-series

The BMW 1-series with codename E87 is a small luxury car/small family car manufactured by the German automaker BMW since 2004. The 1-series were created to compete with Audi A3 and Volkswagen Golf. The 1-series is also the only vehicle in its class that features rear-wheel-drive and longitudinally-mounted engine.

BMW 1-series was first offered to the market in 2004 as a 5-door hatchback was offered as a replacement for BMW 3-series compact range. The 1-series is currently the smallest and most affordable vehicle depending on the engine model of course offered in the BMW range. Unlike the first generation of 1-series the all-new 1-series of BMW is built on its platform (E87) but its shares many components with the E90 3 Series.

BMW's 1-series is built in Regensburg, Germany while some of its engines are from the Hams Hall plant in Birmingham England. In the year 2005 it became one of BMW's most successful products with 149, 493 units sold.

About BMW

BMW AG is an independent German Company and manufacturer of automobiles, quality auto parts likewindow regulators & motors and others, and motorcycles. It was founded by Karl Friedrich Rapp who was originally an aircraft engine manufacturer. BMW is the parent company of the MINI and Rolls-Royce car brands and formerly Rover.