BMW approves tii versions of 1- and 3-Series

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http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/04/concept_1er_tii20_opt.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/bmw-concept-1-series-tii-1/453405/)
Click above for high-res gallery of the Concept 1-Series tii

We've known that BMW has plans to revive the tii series name ever since the automaker unveiled the Concept 1-Series tii (http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/23/tokyo-motor-show-bmw-concept-1-series-tii-unveiled/) at the Tokyo Motor Show (http://www.autoblog.com/category/Tokyo-Motor-Show/). While we don't have anything as official as a press release from the Munich-based automaker, CAR online got BMW chief Norbert Reithofer to fess up that tii models are on their way. What we don't know, however, is whether they will be equipment packages that include upgraded mechanicals, perhaps that can be ordered a la carte, or full fledged models that have been fleshed out by BMW engineers. Reithofer did indicate that the 1-Series and 3-Series (http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/12/bmw-considering-tii-version-of-the-next-3-series/) will be first in line for the tii treatment, and that subsequently an M model of the 1-Series is not being planned.

Over the past 20 years, BMW has managed to back up its claim of building Ultimate Driving Machines despite each of its cars growing in size and gaining weight with each new generation. It's done this largely by adding bigger, more powerful engines to its cars. With new CAFE standards demanding more fuel efficient vehicles in the U.S., and BMW already indicating that cutting cylinders (http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/27/bmw-considering-cutting-the-cylinder-count-on-m-models/) to help meet those standards is a distinct possibility, the tii ethos of subtracting weight and focusing on handling more than passing power seems like the most probable path down which BMW will run.

Gallery: BMW Concept 1 Series tii (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/bmw-concept-1-series-tii-1/)
http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/10/tokyo-bmw-tii-019_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/bmw-concept-1-series-tii-1/453769/)http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/10/tokyo-bmw-tii-018_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/bmw-concept-1-series-tii-1/453768/)http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/10/tokyo-bmw-tii-017_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/bmw-concept-1-series-tii-1/453767/)http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/10/tokyo-bmw-tii-016_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/bmw-concept-1-series-tii-1/453766/)http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/10/tokyo-bmw-tii-015_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/bmw-concept-1-series-tii-1/453765/)

[Source: CAR Online (http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/News/Search-Results/Industry-News/BMW-tii-models-are-go/)]
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[TD]

...the tii ethos of subtracting weight and focusing on handling more than passing power seems like the most probable path down which BMW will run.

And plenty of suede...

[equ]

I can't wait for some other 'mudgeons to drive the 135i. I think about this car every day. Generally those thoughts involve loops that allow me to keep both the cayman and the 135i. Of course, these thoughts don't make sense, in a quarter in which my employment is in danger.

[Rob]

But I LIKE passing power.

[stuka]

LSD?:dunno:

[lemming]

LSD?:dunno:

like why the 986 doesn't have one --wouldn't want to embarass the franchise car, would we?

what a silly question.

[Jeff_DML]

still awaiting for a official response. he could mean the current tii bodykit stuff you can buy now.

[John V]

I'm guessing it'll be a bodykit with the ugly stripes and a "sport" suspension that isn't really any different than stock. No way in hell it'll get an LSD.

[ff]

I'm guessing it'll be a bodykit with the ugly stripes and a "sport" suspension that isn't really any different than stock. No way in hell it'll get an LSD.
And they'll call it ZHP II

[equ]

So that you'll buy one, only to sell it back at a loss.

[undefined]

Twice.

[ff]

Twice.

I bought two ZHP's, huh? Interesting.

[equ]

First he'll buy the 135i, hate it after a little while (though I can't see how, that car is so lovable). Then he'll buy the tii, and declare it to be even worse attracting much ire from fanboys at the 'fest.

Years later, after wandering through japanese products, he'll confess to missing them as daily drivers.