BMW Concept 1 Series tii

With all the talk about a new ‘M1’/baby M-car, call it what you will, let’s take a look back at the concept car that started it all. This is the BMW Concept 1 Series tii as revealed at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show. Of course, this modern tii badged machine, was inspired by the iconic 2002 model, first released in 1966.

The Concept 1 Series tii features a bunch of add on bits in the form of new wheels, rear spoiler and bonnet fins. A restyled front air dam and rear valance made from carbon-fibre reinforced plastic help to reduce weight over the standard car.

The original details from the Tokyo show didn’t reveal too much in the way of engine mods, rather went on at some length with lots of fluffy text about things that don’t really matter that much. Like the black, white and blue colour shceme, for example. Hey, whaddya know that’s the same colours as the BMW logo. Who’d a thunk it.

Anyway, over two years from its debut it finally looks like something will be made of this concept car. To refresh your memory you can see a full gallery of pics after the jump along with a two part press release, which includes a PDF download (link available below).

The BMW Concept 1 Series tii

24 October 2007 – Agility, lightness, youthfulness and superior sportiness – all these features are present and impressively highlighted in the new BMW Concept 1 Series tii.

Based on the new BMW 1 Series Coupé, and presented at the Tokyo Motor Show 2007, this fascinating design study is the consistent evolution of BMW’s compact two-door with a clear focus on uncompromising sportiness.

With its aerodynamically optimised body, a wide range of lightweight features serving to minimise the weight of the car and its axle load distribution, as well as an interior tailored specifically to the ambitious driver, this concept study clearly offers a high level of driving dynamics right from the start.

BMW Concept 1 Series tii offers a highly concentrated rendition of the brand’s sporting genes, at the same time proving the dynamic character of BMW’s compact two-door in offering the ultimate in driving pleasure.

In its design, BMW Concept 1 Series tii clearly takes up the traditional features and characteristics of successful BMW sports cars in the past.

At very first sight the beholder will see features which made numerous BMW Coupés an outstanding success on both the road and the race track back in the 1960s and ’70s.

These were cars characterised by compact dimensions, low weight with perfect balance front-to-rear, as well as powerful engines conveying their superior muscle to the rear wheels.

Particularly the BMW 02 introduced back in 1966 was acknowledged as the epitome of supreme agility and thrilling, highly dynamic driving characteristics based on these success factors.

And now the new BMW 1 Series Coupé represents the same philosophy: Light, agile, and powerful, this compact two-door with its unparalleled, ultra-sporting handling provides an unprecedented experience at the wheel.

The similarities between these two models result in particular from the concept of the car, BMW Concept 1 Series tii bringing out all these strengths and clearly demonstrating how much the development principles applied more than four decades ago are still most appropriate today in creating sports models truly fascinating in every respect.

• Full release – BMW Concept 1 Series tii (80kb PDF)