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Here's what a person who has some inside contacts at BMW said about this photo:
As I explained previously BMW have only plans to introduce to the US market the Coupe and Cabrio off the E87 Platform.
With scoop sightings in the USA and Autospies claiming that the hatchback is definetely coming could not be further from the truth .
The 1er cars currently pounding US roads are specifically hot weather testing engines such as the low end turbo expected to be badged as a 123i when the 3dr sports coupe launches later this year.
Several Cabrios are now undergoing Hot weather testing in the USA now.
Uniquely for a BMW Internationally the Cabrio will appear first before the Coupe placing it directly in the target area for fun seeking young and old Californians. The Coupe will follow a few months after.
It is true that BMW considered a Z roadster based off the E87 platform but the project which got to the full size clay model stage was put on ice, The reason being that the Z4 was being replaced first - with the next Z4 BMW are intent on making a more focused Boxster rival leaving a space for a smaller Z model a small Z Coupe is also mooted but all this will happen if it does after the next Z4 and 1er are launched - in reality about 5 years.
Although the widespread plan for the current E87 spawned ideas from basic hatch - X and Z but for overlap of some projects where put on ice - concentrating on key market integration : Europe/Asia - 3dr /5dr hatch and US- 2dr Coupe /Cabrio.
Incidentally the E87 Cabrio has gathered as much exposure as possible to whet the appetites for the upcoming Coupe and Cabrio - Every BMW dealer in Germany has customer interest and pre-order for these coming models , And interest in the USA, UK Asia , Australia and other countries is further attracting immense interest. Not forgetting pre-orders.-
With no rivals on the horizon - look how Audi have moved forward the A3 Cabrio they know The overall look of the BMW thanks to the BMW Concept Car CS1, They know that after the fake panel disguise comes off in it's FEP stage in a few weeks. it is going to be extremely popular.
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