BMW 1-Series Performance Concept Leaked Ahead of Frankfurt Debut

The new 1-Series that we’ve come to know and love was originally expected to be a Frankfurt reveal. With the clock ticking, BMW had to do something... anything, to impress the fans eager for something new. Given the fact that the new 1er is wider and more focused than the previous generation, while still retaining the rear-wheel drive configuration, it’s obvious what they were to come up with. What you’re looking at is the "BMW Performance Studie 1-Series", as the Germans are calling it, which has been shot in all its glory by a forum member of Bimmer Post (1addicts.com). It’s basically just a cool aero kit that brings cosmetic touches to the front bumper, sideskirts, and rear bumper. However, performance changes are also likely to be revealed in Frankfurt, mainly in the form of better brakes and suspension. The images also reveal some big stripes that won’t make the 1er go any faster and a set of Performance wheels in a 19-inch configuration. The badge on the back clearly says 120d, so this car comes with a 2.0-liter diesel engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology package, consisting of variable-geometry turbocharger and common-rail magnetic-valve direct injection. In stock form, this puts out 184 horsepower at 4,000 rpm and 389 Nm of torque between 1,750 – 2, 750 rpm. This is enough to push the car to 100 km/h (62 mph) in a hothatch rivaling 7.2 seconds and on to a top seed of 228 km/h (142mph). We believe the unit will be left unchanged by the package, but we’re not exactly complaining. autoevolution will be attending the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show, so stay tuned for some real up close and personal shots of the vehicles, as well as for first-hand details of the motorized contraptions presented at the event.