Last Stop before Full Unveil - 1M side gills unveiled at Autosport Awards

[hks786]

I really think the teaser is a dumb idea too. I like the idea of following cars through spypics and trying to make good guesses through photoshop. I remember following the M3 for so long and when they unveiled the thing it was interesting to see because details like the rear diffuser and hood vents and side vents etc were not seen in spypics.

Now BMW has launched a HUGE marketing teaser campaign for the 1M which is based on a platform due to be replaced soon. Sure it is an amazing car but the M3 is a legend and didnt receive this highlight. Also, we have now seen so many details that all is left is the hood.

Unveiled so far: bumpers, side skirts, side grilles, mirrors, wheels, roof, arches, headlights (LCI spyshots), paint, etc. Infact, people have even driven it!

[Raine]

Hey guys, you know they need to hype it up to spread awareness, I don't think a lot of people even know the 1-series exists.

[bdardashti]

Originally Posted by hks786

I really think the teaser is a dumb idea too. I like the idea of following cars through spypics and trying to make good guesses through photoshop. I remember following the M3 for so long and when they unveiled the thing it was interesting to see because details like the rear diffuser and hood vents and side vents etc were not seen in spypics.

Now BMW has launched a HUGE marketing teaser campaign for the 1M which is based on a platform due to be replaced soon. Sure it is an amazing car but the M3 is a legend and didnt receive this highlight. Also, we have now seen so many details that all is left is the hood.

Unveiled so far: bumpers, side skirts, side grilles, mirrors, wheels, roof, arches, headlights (LCI spyshots), paint, etc. Infact, people have even driven it!

While I do agree that BMW is trying a tad too hard to tease the car, due to its smaller market and lack of historical significance, this is the perfect product launch for M to experiment with all sorts of marketing ideas and evaluate customer responses and the overall effectiveness. Then they apply the best ones to the M3 and M5 launches..

Another idea is that this is the first 1M launch ever, whereas the M3 and M5 have had several launches. (I understand this applied to the X5/X6 M as well).

[southlight]

Originally Posted by bdardashti

Another idea is that this is the first 1M launch ever, whereas the M3 and M5 have had several launches. (I understand this applied to the X5/X6 M as well).

X5/6 M had quite some marketing activity prior to launch as well. For example, there was a collaboration with Autobild for a DVD featuring testing and some hot laps in an X5 M prototype. In other words, pretty good point.


Best regards,
south

[lacrosse]

Originally Posted by Red Bread

Totally cosmetic side "vents"? At least the M3 gets one functional hood vent.

Don't understand the purpose of that at all.

[1M Fan]

Originally Posted by Madozu

BMW M seems to have given up the "form follows function" design principle.

Dissapointing

I believe the fender vents do server a design purpose. If the track is 80 mm wider, you have 40mm (over 1.5 inches) to bring the fender back in to meet the door. What better way to do it than a fake (or otherwise) vent? It saves a lot time and expense for redesigning around the A-pillar.

[Sonic RR]

Originally Posted by Technic

This must be one of the most ridiculous marketing campaigns in BMW history...

I totally agree.

[Robert]

I am not a fan of this marketing campaign either but you can't deny there are few good aspects. What other manufacturer invites its fans to an all expense paid trip to test drive the car? And the fact there's a couple in house marketing personnel managing questions?

The bad is this is a M car and marketing should be based on performance alone and not gimmicks and teases, which leads me to believe the numbers aren't there. Not saying they aren't there just saying the marketing leads me to question the motive behind such marketing scheme.

[Robert]

Originally Posted by lacrosse

Don't understand the purpose of that at all.

I took my Lexus in for maintenance last weekend and checked out a brand new 2011 ISF in the showroom. Everything in that car is a step up from my 350 but I got turned off that its side slits are fake too. I was thinking to myself, yes the car is much better than mine but do I want to drop 50k on a performance car that has non-functional performance parts?

[blueshark]

I like the build up. It's interesting, and it probably gives BMW the opportunity to learn a lot from the enthusiast community along the way.

This is a great opportunity for us to voice likes and dislikes.

I wouldn't be surprised if BMW's decision to produce more 1M's was based on the favorable response / interest from not only this web site, but overall.

[Justin(OKC)]

Originally Posted by jraymond

not colorblind and that car appears to be red?

yeah...like a metallic henna red.

[rapter]

Ok so I just watched the video on M-power.com.

340hp which is pretty decent, lots of power that any mortal man can legal use in and around town.

What is a 250 manual???? As mentioned by the Doctor in the video... I get that there is a language barrier at times, but what do we think he meant by "250"... ?

[Purple88Gold]

Originally Posted by PKL

if the side gills are being what is unveiled here the pics suck

This.

[Jason]

Originally Posted by Robert

I am not a fan of this marketing campaign either but you can't deny there are few good aspects. What other manufacturer invites its fans to an all expense paid trip to test drive the car? And the fact there's a couple in house marketing personnel managing questions?

The bad is this is a M car and marketing should be based on performance alone and not gimmicks and teases, which leads me to believe the numbers aren't there. Not saying they aren't there just saying the marketing leads me to question the motive behind such marketing scheme.

Playing the devil's advocate here - or perhaps the marketing is so heavy because they are launching a completely new M model, an important one which BMW hopes to become a hit not only this generation but also in F20/F22 form.

Pumping up marketing for a model which doesn't perform in the real world will only get BMW so far anyway (maybe in the form of more initial deposits and orders). If the professional reviews aren't positive once it's test driven by the press and the public, the car will not sell well no matter how much marketing they did prior to release. I'm pretty confident that this fact is not lost upon BMW, which is why I don't think the marketing is simply to cover up an underperforming 1M.

[MDORPHN]

Originally Posted by rapter

Ok so I just watched the video on M-power.com.

340hp which is pretty decent, lots of power that any mortal man can legal use in and around town.

What is a 250 manual???? As mentioned by the Doctor in the video... I get that there is a language barrier at times, but what do we think he meant by "250"... ?

Likely a reference to a Getrag 250 tranny.

Neil

[ianbiz]

most drummed up release of a half-assed car ever!!

IS-F fenders anyone?

[spiderz17]

Originally Posted by MDORPHN

Likely a reference to a Getrag 250 tranny.

Neil

Not likely. According to Wikipedia:

Getrag 250 — 5-speed
1992-1999 BMW E36 for engines up to 2.5L

[Alext]

All this hype may actually boost sales for the 1-series coupe range.

The fake air vent can't be going on the production versions surely? IT just doesnt look right.

[blueshark]

I would love to see BMW underreport the HP numbers, with actual numbers coming closer to 360-370 at the crank.

[M3roar]

Originally Posted by MDORPHN

I think that hood appears recessed because of the lighting and how the cover is folded up to reveal the fender.

I'm first in line at a dealer at MSRP with no mark-ups.

Neil

Neil, this isnt the first time Ive noticed a sort of recess in the hood. During Oktoberfest it seems there was a shape under the leather as well.

As for the fake vent.... Well at least once this car does come out. Some tuner will bring the true vented fenders out and so making your 1M stand out from the rest.

[e92_m3]

The fake fender vent:



Yikes! What was BMW thinking on the fender design???

[Pete_vB]

The side "vent" evokes a little of the CSL batmobile flare for me, which I like in concept. Need to see more pics to form more of an opinion, though...