2010 BMW 1-Series

BMW’s 1-Series range is entering the 2010 model year with two new engines. The first will be the 1 Series Coupe. The automaker is enhancing the two-door model’s lineup with the addition of the 120i Coupe that is powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder direct-injection gasoline engine. This gas engine speeds the 120i Coupe from 0 to 62 in 7.8 seconds and offers a top speed of 149 mph. Average fuel consumption in the EU test cycle is rated at 35.7mpg US with CO2 emissions of 153gr/km.

The second new model will be the 118d Coupe that sports a 2.0-liter turbo diesel kicking out 143HP. With this powerhouse that is joined to a 6-speed manual gearbox, the 118d Coupe goes from 0-62mph in 9.0 seconds and reaches top speeds of 130mph while returning an average fuel consumption of just 53.2mpg US with a CO2 emission rating of 119gr/km.
Both the 118d and 120i Coupe will be go on sale in September in Europe.

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Lexus probably won’t launch a sub-$30,000 model in the U.S. but that doesn’t mean they aren’t developing a new entry-level model for other markets such as Europe. There, small cars like the Audi A3 and BMW’s 1-series sell in significant numbers, and according to a new report Lexus will have a challenger for its German rivals as early as next year. Toyota exec Tokuichi Uranishi has revealed that Lexus could develop a new entry-level model for Europe to help reach its European sales target of 150,000 vehicles by 2015.

This information was backed last year by Lexus’ Australian chief John Roca. Britain’s Top Gear is also reporting that Lexus will have a concept version of its 1-series rival on display at September’s Frankfurt Motor Show, ahead of a market launch due next year. This new Lexus model will reportedly be a hybrid based on the 2010 Toyota Prius . Designed to compete with Germany’s highly efficient four-cylinder diesel lineup, the new car will be a FWD compact hatchback and be priced less expensively than the current Lexus IS 220D.

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