You have seen the BMW 1-series Aero Kit photo gallery yesterday and now it's time to see some official video footage.

Yesterday, in a press release, BMW announced the release of their Performance Parts Catalog at the Geneva Motor Show. At that time, we didn't have any official photos, other than the 1-series tii that was displayed in Chicago. 

Since yesterday, we were able to find the official BMW photos that go along with the Performance Catalog.

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Back at the Chicago Auto Show, one of the BMW executives has promised that soon enough the Performance Parts catalog will be released. My bet was on the New York auto show, but to my surprise, they decided to go ahead and release it at the Geneva Auto Show.

Also, BMW has mentioned at the Chicago Auto Show that the 1-series tii will not be a production car and it was basically displayed there to show how far you can get by using performance parts.

And here is the outcome:

Pretty nice, isn't it?

Press Release

European debut in Geneva: BMW Performance.
The BMW driver with a particular passion for dynamic motoring and individual, sporting style now has new options to live out his or her personal preferences and enhance the performance of the car to an even higher level. Expanding the wide range of Original BMW Accessories, the new range of BMW Performance products comprises a number of components for an even greater and more exhilarating driving experience.

Introducing BMW Performance as of late March/early April, specifically the BMW 3 Series and the BMW 1 Series will be available with retrofittable options for the suspension, drivetrain, aerodynamics, and cockpit of the car developed especially for the respective model, reflecting the particular style of the brand in its technical and design features, and fulfilling all of BMW’s excellent standards in terms of quality and safety. All BMW Performance products are naturally covered by BMW’s full warranty. The products are sold and fitted by BMW Dealers and Service Partners as well as BMW Retail Outlets.

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Update: New Photos Added

With all the new photos of the 1-series coming out daily, I've decided that it's time to compile all of them in a single article, a single photo gallery. As soon as more photos will become available, I will continue to update this gallery. 

So far, I've seen the 1-series models in the following colors: Sedona Red, Crimson Red, Cashmere Silver, Montego Blue, Alpine White, Titanium Silver. Obviously, the BMW 135i is the most popular 1'er, therefore most of the photos will feature this car. In case you missed some of our previous stories on the upcoming BMW 1-series, March 22nd is the day they will become available at the U.S dealers.

Most of them are already sold out, especially the previously mentioned BMW 135i, but by the end of the year, the allocation should increase and it would be easier to snag one. 

In the mean time, enjoy the photos and I hope it will help in your decision on which exterior paint to choose.

Photos are courtesy of 1addicts.com, autospies.com, autoblog.nl, covercars.com, bimmerfile.com, markanuta.nl, mwerks.com 

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The ordering guide for the upcoming BMW 128i convertible has been released. The guys at 1addicts.com managed to get a hold of a soft copy, in a pdf format. I thought I will share it with you.

Product Ordering Guide 128i Convertible 

We're continuing our coverage from the 2008 Chicago Auto Show with the BMW 128i convertible. The North American debut took place in Detroit last month so seeing the 1-series convertible at the Chicago Show wasn't anything unexpected. Our only surprise was to see that BMW allowed us to sit in the car and take some closer photos. I know that some of you are hoping that BMW will allow everyone to check out the interior, but we couldn't get a straight answer from anyone. Everyone said how the display models usually take a beat when the doors are kept unlocked, so we'll find out on Friday what the final decision is.

Nothing has changed from the Detroit Show either, the displayed car is probably the same one, it has the same exterior paint and interior color. The release date is still set for March 22nd and the base prince is still $34,000. 

One thing that I want to point out is the limited legroom in the back, same as the coupe versions. I took some photos so you can have a better idea. Also, being 6'2" , I basically had to pull the driver seat all the way back so I can be comfortable. For some reason, I felt that the driver has more space in the E46 platform that in the 128i convertible.

Enjoy the photos and if you have any questions, leave a comment and we'll give you more details.

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The tii has finally come to the States. Without a fancy presentation, BMW has unveiled today their 1-series Tii concept. As I have mentioned a few hours earlier, the Tii will remain at the concept stage and it will not go into production as a regular model. Basically, what I was told by the BMW M Brand manager, Martin Birkmann, is that the 1-series Tii that was unveiled at the Chicago Show is just a fully loaded concept model that helps illustration how a 1-series will look if BMW Performance Part will be used.

Also, according to Mr. Birkmann, the U.S Performance Parts Catalog will be released sometimes in the Spring, but…it won't include the carbon fiber parts.

"We would like to see first how the customers react to our performance parts before we introduce the carbon based parts into the catalog".

So, for all the BMW enthusiasts, you would have to wait a little longer before you can turn your 135i coupe into a fast and light mini-rocket.

My first impressions are very positive. The Tii looks definitely better in person than in any other photos I have seen so far. The performance parts used on the display model are definitely changing the way a regular 1-series look like. The car has a more aggressive look and you can tell that the BMW M engineers have put a lot of thought into it. The hood has a very unique shape and the side "black wings" found on it, just add to the overall aspect.

I also loved the color pain with the black stripes across the roof top that contrast with the black hood and the white strips on it.

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As expected, the BMW 135i coupe that has been displayed at the Chicago Auto Show is the same one that we have seen so far at all the shows across the country. Basically, it's the same Sedona red that is available in all the BMW official brochures. 

No other news from here, basically everything stays the same as it announced at the L.A Show. The 135i coupe, 128i coupe and the 128i convertible will be available starting at the end of March.

As a personal opinion: after sitting in the car and adjusting the seat, I can certainly that it has less legroom in the back than the old E46 3-series. My editor is 6'2", so he basically had to move the seat all the way back and therefore, the legroom in the back was minimal to none. 

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So, here we are the Chicago Auto Show. Without getting too much into details right now, I just wanted to announce that the 1-series Tii will not go into production. According to a Thomas Plucinsky, Product and Technology Communication Manager at BMW , the car displayed at the show only shows how far you can get with the BMW performance parts.

So, everyone of you that expect the Tii to be the next "M1", sorry guys, no go.

We're expecting to have more news about the BMW Performance Catalog in a few hours, more specifically at 3:15PM CST, when the BMW presentation starts. 

YESSSSS!!! Now, the 2008 Chicago Auto Show has become even more interesting. The BMW 1-series tii will make its North American Debut at the Chicago Show.

This week, we have seen the BMW Performance Parts catalog that has been leaked onto the internet and now, we will get to see live all of these on the acclaimed Tii concept. 

Here are some cool articles with tons of high res photos

BMW tii revealed

BMW 1-series tii photos 

BMW 1-series tii more photos 

Press Release 

BMW CONCEPT 1 SERIES tii MAKES NORTH AMERICAN DEBUT AT CHICAGO AUTO SHOW Woodcliff Lake, NJ - February 2008…

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According to MotiveMagazine, contrary to many people's expectations, the upcoming 1-series convertible is not a chick car. 

So far we know that the there will be two versions of the convertible offered — the 128i at launch(March 22nd) and the 135i sometimes in the summer. We also know that the U.S version of the 128i will use the regular 3.0-liter (not 2.8) straight six that makes 230 horsepower, and the 135i will feature the twin-turbo 3.0-liter six 300 horsepower. 

Without any further introduction, let me share with you their article.

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It has been a while since we posted videos showing the most awaited BMW car this year: the BMW 1-series, implicitly the 135i coupe and 128i coupe. Our 1-series section has many videos from the past and you can always go back and look through them. 

So, here are some of the latest videos

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In a previous post, my colleague Jake has shared with you the performance parts catalog for the 1 series coupe. The document has been posted on the 1-series site, 1addicts.com and even though is a german catalog, it is still nice to see what BMW has prepared for the true bimmer enthusiasts.

What is even more interesting is the fact that is out before the performance parts catalog for the e90/e92, which clearly shows that BMW is really aiming the 1er coupe for the hardcore enthusiasts. We knew from the beginning that by bringing the BMW 1-series coupe to the States, BMW is looking to expand their market even further and basically go after the "tuners". I can not wonder what will happened if the car owner decides to tune up the car with aftermarket parts from other vendor. Will this void the factory warranty?

To go back to the catalog, my favorite parts are the following ones:

• shift knob
• carbon fiber side mirror
• rear spoiler 
• rear valence
• intake
• suede seats.

Take a look at this shift know

Sexy, isn't it? 

Our friends over at 1addicts have found what appears to be a BMW Performance Catalog for the 1 series. This could add further fuel to the rumor mill fire that the tii will be offered in parts and pieces from BMW.

BMW 1-series Performance Catalog

- J  

The BMW fans went totally crazy when the german auto manufacturer introduced the BMW 1-series tii at the Tokyo Auto Show. The speculations began already and everyone was talking how could this be the real "M1" model. 

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