2008 BMW 1 Series Coupe

BMW has started touting its new 1 Series as its return to a pure driver's car, a vehicle for all of those who believe the 3 Series has gotten too big and bloated. It's the kind of small, agile, rear-drive car that BMW made its reputation on, the kind of vehicle that helped spawn the automaker's Ultimate Driving Machine moniker. At least that's what enthusiasts hope the 1 Series will become when it arrives in the U.S. sometime next year.

Until then, we can only continue to gaze at more spy shots of Munich's latest offering, taken by Brenda Priddy's crack spy shooting staff.

Latest reports indicate the 1 Series won't come stateside with any four-cylinder mills, instead we're likely to see a base 3.0-liter six and perhaps the 3.0-liter twin-turbo that's making the rounds in BMW's stable.

Expect to see the coupe in its preproduction form at the upcoming Frankfurt show in September. A droptop version is almost certain, while rumors of an M-badged model (with the twin-turbo) and two-seat coupe continue. BMW insists we won't see the hatchback model.

Obviously, as with any new BMW, the war between enthusiasts about the vehicle's styling is heating up, with the predictable Bangle-bashing going on against a camp that sees a fairly sharp-looking compact machine. Let the arguments continue.