Rumors have been circling that BMW will offer a tii version of some of its cars even since the German automaker displayed its 1-series tii concept at last year's Tokyo Motor Show, and a new report indicates those rumors were right on the money.
According to Car – who sat down with BMW chief Norbert Reithofer — BMW has given the tii program the green light for both the 1 and 3-series. While the tii package will initially be launched as a range of performance parts, it will likely spawn into a separate model (more on this later).
As Leftlane previously reported, the tii package will include an assortment of aero packages, wheels, tires, weight saving bits and even engine upgrades — both for the 1 and 3-series.
While the new tii performance parts are definitely a good thing for BMW fans, they do have a downside. The availability of these parts and the already impressive performance of the 135i has led BMW to rule against the M treatment for 1-series. Per Norbert Reithofer, there will be no M1 (or whatever name the car would have ended up with).
But back to the tii. According to Car, there is actually a high probability that the next-generation of the 1 and 3-series will see a tii trim level. When the new 1-series bows in 2011, look for tii version to be offered with a turbo-charged four-cylinder engine and a much lighter body and chassis. The tii 1-series will basically sever as the model's M1.
Same story for the next-gen 3-series when it bows in late 2011. The 3-series tii will slot in below the M3 but will offer the M3's brakes, a sports suspension, 19 inch wheels and a twin-clutch transmission.
Adding credence to Car's claim is the fact that BMW has already voiced that it would like to reduce the number of cylinders and weight on future models.
It looks as though stricter worldwide emissions and fuel economy regulations will radically change the types of cars we are used to, but at least automakers are hard at work to keep performance levels up.
Comment