The BMW 1 Series (E81/E87 and E82/E88 models) is an entry level sports car produced by the German automaker BMW since 2004. The 1 Series is unusual in its class as it features rear-wheel drive, 50:50 weight balance, a longitudinally-mounted engine and an advanced aluminum multilink suspension. It is currently BMW's second best-selling automobile worldwide, accounting for nearly one-fifth of the total sales in 2008.The 1 Series was launched globally in Autumn 2004 and shares many structural, chassis, powertrain, hardware and electronic elements with the larger 3 Series. The model was started to provide a lower point of entry into the BMW range as the 3 Series moved gradually up-market. Initially launched as a 5-door hatchback, a 3-door version was also launched in July 2007. The 1 Series is priced between the MINI and the current E90 3 Series. Because the coupe is the only rear wheel drive vehicle in its class, it is often considered the successor to the BMW 2002.
The 1 Series coupe (E82) and convertible (E88) went on sale in the United States and Canada in model year 2008 (30 June 2007)[3] as the 128i and the 135i. Other countries received the 120i and 125i in both platforms. The convertible, unlike the 3 Series convertible, uses a soft-top instead of a folding hardtop. This is lighter, cheaper to manufacture and preserves more trunk space than the folding hardtop would allow.
The North American introduction of the coupe and cabriolet was during the second quarter of 2008, which was credited for helping BMW overtake Lexus as the top luxury brand.
In 1996, BMW owned the Rover Group, and was preparing a new car that would replace their Rover 200 and 400 ranges, called Project R30, developed jointly with Project R50 and R40, that would become, respectively, the New Mini and the Rover 75. The new model, which would have been badged as the Rover 55, was planned to be built in the Longbridge plant alongside the New Mini, and BMW were granted a £152 million subsidy by the British government to refurbish the plant.
In 2000, development was close to completion, but after BMW sold the Rover Group, the project's rights were taken by BMW, which stopped the project and kept the only working prototype in their headquarters of Munich. Although BMW tried to sell the project's rights, first to MG Rover and later to a number of Chinese car manufacturers, the model never entered production. They come with HID headlamps
It has been rumoured that the Rover R30 was finished by BMW and transformed into the BMW 1-Series. However, BMW have stated that the 1-Series is unrelated to the R30, and was developed alongside the E90 3-Series.
