Update: BMW Concept 1-Series tii Press Release & High-Res Image Gallery

Late last night we unleashed the first official images and data on BMW's Tokyo Show 1-Series tii Concept (click here). Today we bring you the official press release along with the high-resolution image gallery, both of which are available after the jump. Concisely, the 1-Series tii concept is a design study (thus meaning, the coupe is not equipped with a powertrain) for a race-inspired, lightweight version of the 1-Series Coupe (click here).

The concept gets an aerodynamic bodykit, black decal stripes, carbon-fibre body panels and 18-inch alloy rims while inside, BMW equipped the tii with sport bucket seats, heaps of alcantara and a white colored rev counter. Now all that's left for BMW to do is to develop a twin-turbocharged 4-cylinder gasoline engine and we're all set to sell everything we have and hit the road.-Press release and image gallery after the jump

Press Release: BMW Concept 1-Series tii

Character:
-Design study based on the BMW 1 Series Coupe with an uncompromising focus on motorsport.

-BMW Concept 1 Series tii as a young interpretation of classic BMW brand values.

-Implementation of specific requirements for motorsport ensured through the design of the car.

-Design study following the tradition of BMW's compact, light and extremely sporting coupe's. The characteristic features of models particularly successful in motorsport have gone straight into BMW Concept 1 Series tii.

-BMW Concept 1 Series tii underlines the extremely sporting potential and the youthful, temperamental character of the BMW 1 Series. The design study raises the focus on pure driving pleasure already associated with the BMW 1 Series Coupe to an even higher standard.

As the fifth concept car presented by BMW in 2007 alone, BMW Concept 1 Series tii clearly demonstrates the exceptional bandwidth covered by the world's leading manufacturer of premium cars. Following the BMW M3 Concept Car, the BMW Concept CS and the BMW Concept X6/BMW Concept X6 ActiveHybrid, BMW Concept 1 Series tii stands out as a unique symbol of maximum driving pleasure also in the compact segment.

Exterior:
-Through its unique, completely different design, BMW Concept 1 Series tii clearly emphasises its outstanding potential in driving dynamics.

-Optimised aerodynamics on the body with individual, distinctive design of the front air dam, side-sills and rear air dam. Special gurney flaps generating additional downforce on the rear axle.

-Further enhancement of agility and efficiency through consistent lightweight engineering using carbon components inter alia on the engine compartment lid, the mirror caps, and the inlays for the front air intakes at the side. Significant reduction of weight versus series production cars.

-Sporting, accentuated, contrasting and, at the same time, typical BMW colour scheme on the exterior and interior. The body colour Alpine White is combined with the very dark carbon structure of the CFP elements, with further highlights added in Blue.

-BMW Concept 1 Series tii takes up striking features of former motorsport models in many of its details: fins along the engine compartment lid to optimise the flow of air, contrasting colour scheme on the engine compartment lid, decal strips on the roof of the car and the rear lid in contrasting colour, visible, open towing fixture.

Interior:
-Authentic interpretation of specific motorsport standards through the concept of the interior design as well as colours and material design.

-Sports bucket seats with integrated headrests and side airbags, three-spoke sports steering wheel and gearshift knob with alcantara cover, model-specific door linings, door closing handles and armrest on the driver's side.
-The contrasting colour scheme (Black, White, Blue) and the various functions and features derived from motorsport also characterise the interior of BMW Concept 1 Series tii.

-The white rev counter highlights this instrument of particular significance in motorsport, the sports steering wheel with its white spokes and trim taking up the exterior colour scheme.

-Use of dark alcantara on the door linings and the instrument panel prevents reflections and accentuates the driver-oriented design and configuration of the cockpit. Alcantara on the seats, the steering wheel rim and the gearshift knob optimises side support and, respectively, the driver's grip.

-The newly developed structure tissue for the footwell accentuates the sporting and functional character of the interior.

Shortly before the on-sale date of the new BMW 1 Series Coupe on 24 November, BMW designers have given an insight into what an out-and-out motorsport-focussed derivative might look like. The BMW Concept 1 Series tii will take centre stage at the Tokyo Motorshow and uses lightweight materials, optimised aerodynamics and a race-inspired interior to deliver an uncompromising focus on motorsport.

The BMW Concept 1 Series tii is the fifth concept car presented by BMW in 2007. It showcases innovative technologies but also reflects on the traditions of BMW's compact, lightweight and sporting Coupe's. The Concept's tii badging harks back to the BMW 2002tii from the 1960's and 70's - a car that set the mould for successful and dynamic two-door BMW models of recent times.

On first inspection, the most noticeable part of the car is its striking colour scheme. Alpine White body panels combine with a visible carbon-fibre bonnet, black and white front-to-rear decals and blue trims to give a dynamic appearance. But the BMW Concept 1 Series tii has sporting substance to back up its bold visual appearance.

The BMW 1 Series Coupe's roots are clear in the BMW Concept 1 Series tii but the concept car displays clear motorsport genes. From the front, the bumper and valence have been redesigned to deliver even more air to the engine and braking system. Air flow is also enhanced through BMW's trademark kidney grilles, with the usual vertical slats replaced by wire mesh. The bonnet is constructed of carbon fibre, as are the mirror caps and inserts in the front air intakes to reduce weight and lower the centre of gravity. The fins running along the carbon-fibre bonnet help the flow of air over the bonnet and are reminiscent of the legendary BMW 3.0 CSL from the 1970's.

From the side, the profile of the new BMW 1 Series Coupe's is retained, but the Concept 1 Series tii features extensively remodelled side sills and a uniquely-designed 18-inch five-spoke alloy wheel finished in dark chrome. From the rear, the aerodynamic enhancements continue with a carbon-fibre boot-mounted gurney-flap rear spoiler to deliver enhanced rear down force. Weight is further reduced with the rear bumper insert also made from lightweight carbon-fibre material.

The car's exterior colours and motorsport orientation continue inside the car. Supportive bucket seats give the highest levels of lateral support while the three-spoke sports steering wheel is covered in Alcantara with body-colour white inserts. The roof lining, door linings and instrument panel are also covered in Alcantara. Ahead of the steering wheel, the instrument binnacle also reflects the motorsport intentions of the car with a white rev-counter with red needles dominating the driver's view.

There is no current information available on the drivetrain of the BMW Concept 1 Series tii or any plans to develop it for series production.