BMW is starting to take a liking to blurring out the vital parts and trying to tease us about what’s next on the horizon from the German automaker. First it was the X6 M Diesel that got teased, and now BMW is showing off its M Performance Parts for their 1-Series hatchback model.

Now to be clear, this isn’t the 1M, but rather a standard 1-Series that has been outfitted with M Performance Parts to spice it up. The Bavarian automaker announced that they have intentions of expanding their M Performance range, releasing variants of all their vehicles packed with M Performance Parts.

This isn’t entirely new or revolutionary from BMW, having offered M Sport packages in the past. This video teases the products that BMW has for the 1-Series hatchback which appears to feature M Performance interior accessories, a body kit, exterior logos, and M-badged brake calipers. It’ll be more interesting to see whether or not we’ll see a M 135 or something similar to the M Performance Diesel models that were recently announced.

Check out the video after the break.

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BMW is set to debut what it calls the 1-Series Performance concept car at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show, outfitting the all-new 1-Series with a full aerodynamic package along with several BMW Performance parts. The styling package will come complete with front and rear aprons, a pair of side skirts, a modified rear spoiler and a pair of carbon fiber mirror covers. On the demo vehicle, BMW has opted to contrast the white exterior with a set of black racing stripes and dark gray 19-inch wheels.

In addition, BMW is offering interior upgrades which include a steering wheel with a decorative yellow stripe at the top, Alcantara trim and a carbon fiber shift knob to match a set of sportier pedals. Lastly, upgraded brakes will also be made available to 1-Series owners for added braking performance.

GALLERY: BMW 1-Series Performance Accessories

In celebration of sponsoring the 2012 London Olympics, BMW has announced two new Performance Editions for the popular 1-Series and 3-Series. Inspired by their very own BMW London 2012 Performance Team, the Performance Edition models will feature M inspired body styling and accessories outfitted to the three-door and five-door 1-Series while the 3-Series Performance Edition will only be available on the sedan.

For the 1-Series, the Performance Edition features M aerodynamic bodystyling, 18-inch M wheels in a dark chrome finish, Shadowline exterior trim, dark chrome exhaust tips and dark line rear taillights. Giving the car a sportier ride and handling capabilities is M Sport Suspension while the inside receives Royal Blue stitching on the seats, an M Sport leather steering wheel and gearshift leaver and floor mats with Royal Blue piping. Of course on the exterior, the car will be representing its inspiration with London 2012 exterior badges.

The Performance Edition can be added for about $2,400 more than the equivalent ES model and pricing for the 116i Performance Edition three-door starts at around $31,125.

The 3-Series sedan receives a similar set of modifications, starting with the M aerodynamic body kit to the 18-inch wheels. Finishing off the exterior is a chrome exhaust tip and London 2012 badges. The interior features sport seats and floor mats with similar blue piping along with the M Sport leather steering wheel. With a little less modifications than the 1-Series offering, the 3-Series Performance Edition is only $800 more than the equivalent ES sedan. Pricing for the 318i Performance Edition sedan starts at a little under $40,000.

Either model is available in Alpine White, Titanium Silver, Bluewater and Black Sapphire colors and are currently on sale in the UK.

In addition to the London 2012-inspired models, BMW will be bringing several of their Efficient Dynamic diesel cars, hybrid and electric vehicles, bicycles and motorcycles to the London 2012 Games.

GALLERY: BMW 2012 London Performance Editions

German publication Sport Auto has taken BMW‘s 1M Coupe out to Nurburgring and has published the results alongside other track tests. Driver Horst von Saurma took the 1M to a lap time of 8:15 through Nurburgring, while hitting 1:14.1 at Hockenheim. The 8:15 is a respectable time for the 340-hp twin turbo coupe, making it seven seconds faster than the BMW E46 M3 and 10 seconds slower than the current generation M3.

To compare the 1M to its European competitors, Audi’s TT RS ran the Nurburgring in 8:09 while the RS3 Sportback did the Green Hell in 8:20.

At Hockenheim however, the 1M was barely faster than the M3, which ran a 1:14.2 with a DCT gearbox. The 1M’s time at Hockenheim also makes it quicker than Audi’s TT RS (1:15) and RS5 (1:15.3) on the shorter track.

[Source: BMW Blog]

BMW will only produce the BMW 1 Series M for the 2011 production year, making the brand’s latest sports coupe a guaranteed collectible in the future.

BMW admits that its latest high performance two door rocket will have a very limited run of one model year. With the limited production in place, the $46,135 price tag may be worth much more in a few years. BMW confirmed that the 1 Series M Coupe will have a short production run and that the next generation 1 Series is at least two-and-a-half years away. BMW stated that “less than 1,000 units” will be produced in 2011.

[Source: The Detroit Bureau]

Ahead of the Geneva show, BMW has unveiled their first electric vehicle, the ActiveE: a 1-Series coupe that’s good for 170 horsepower, 184 pound-feet of torque, and 100 miles on a single charge.

This gives the ActiveE a 0-60 time good for nine seconds. And BMW says the batteries can be fully charged in four to five hours through a standard wall outlet, with a rapid charger. The batteries decrease cargo space by approximately 3 cu. feet, but interior changes are minimal, and it can still seat four adults.

Against a regular 1-Series, the ActiveE sports bright white paint, circuit board graphics along its flanks, a goofy “power bulge” hood, and low-resistance wheels and tires. And that’s about it. The ActiveE’s powertrain is supposed to preview the futuristic Megacity concept that BMW will launch in 2013; call this a sneak preview, then, without the carbon fiber body or Blade Runner styling. Which is the idea BMW is promoting behind the ActiveE: a production-ready car that packs the drivetrain of the future, but doesn’t look like it does.

It will go on sale in select markets and cities including Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Sacramento, New York, Boston and in Connecticut. Production is slated at over 1,000 units.

[Source: WorldCarFans]

At first glance it may appear that this BMW 1-Series race car resembles a toy R/C car, or a gaudily-built show car, but closer examination reveals a fully functional race car by Senkyr Motorsports. The Czech race team has plenty of experience fielding several BMW Motorsport race cars is now adding a 1 Series to its collection, inspired by the company’s own E92 GTR race car.

On the exterior, the 1 Series has been widened beyond belief, squeezing 18×10-inch wheels in the front while the rear spins 18×12-inch sized BBS Motorsport Race wheels. The performance has been enhanced to 408-hp, which we’re assuming is based off the 135i engine platform. Why you ask? Well, the massive front mount intercooler is a dead giveaway that the car is turbocharged.

The radical styling continues to the rear with a massive spoiler and vented rear bumper to match the widebody. It should be interesting to see this car hit the track.

GALLERY: Senkyr Motorsports BMW 1-Series GTR Race Car

[Source: BMW Blog]

According to a rather detailed post on BMW 1 Series forum 1addicts, BMW is aiming to significantly expand the future 1 Series lineup as a part of the company’s Efficient Dynamics approach.

Using a new versatile modular architecture, BMW will be able to build 12 and possibly even 13 different vehicles based on the new chassis, some of which will be coupes, sedans, roadsters and even SUVs.

The cars will be divided up into three sub-categories: Traditional, Lifestyle and Sporting. Under the Traditional segment will be a standard sedan model, a hatchback and a hybrid. Under the Lifestyle segment there will be a coupe, cabriolet and a performance or “supersports” model as well as a Z2 and Z2 coupe. Finally, the Sporting segment will include an X1, X2, Gran Turismo and Y1 model. Finally, there will be a light-weight and high-performance 135i model which is still not approved for production.

Currently the upcoming X1 is based on a 3 Series platform, but this would suggest a new platform would underpin the car. As for the Y1, it would be somewhat like a really small X6, with the soul of a Z sports car but the utility of an X SUV.

The news comes from a 1addicts forum member called SCOTT26, who according to his brief but content-rich forum history is either a prophet or a BMW insider.

BMW will turn the 1 Series into a leader for the company, just as the 3 Series is now. It will get technology first, starting with a hybrid powertrain, which will be offered for every 1 Series vehicle.

[Source: 1addicts]