BMW to go FWD
03-16-2010 | 06:16 AM
#1
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From: Orlando
BMW to go FWD
BMW is set to introduce a new front-wheel-drive entry-level model, positioned and priced beneath the existing 1-series and using shared Mini hardware, according to the firm's chairman Norbert Reithofe.
The new model is being developed as part of plans to help increase parts sharing and bolster the potential for production savings between the BMW and Mini brands, thus bringing an end to the era of rear and four-wheel drive-only BMW models.
Speaking to Autocar at the last week's Geneva motor show, Reithofer said internal BMW studies revealed that, despite the downturn in the world’s economy, there is continued demand for what he described as "premium vehicles" in the small car class.
He then officially acknowledged plans that will see BMW producing a rival to the recently unveiled Audi A1 and a new Smart Forfour presently under development at rival Mercedes-Benz.
"We will be extending the BMW and Mini brands into the small car segment with new models and variants," said Reithofer.
Being careful to separate the new price-leading front-wheel-drive model from BMW's upcoming city car - a totally different project as part of its Mega City Vehicle electric car initiative - Reithofer added, "For these new vehicles [the new BMW and Mini] we are developing a common architecture for both front and four-wheel drive."
While exact details remain shrouded in secrecy, Autocar can confirm the new entry-level BMW has been conceived to run the same front-wheel-drive underpinnings as the next-generation Mini Cooper.
The new Mini Cooper is not due out until 2014, but the small BMW could be on UK roads as early as 2013 as part of a major thrust by the company to become the undisputed sales leader in the premium small car class.
Plans to base the new entry-level BMW on the same platform as the Mini Cooper also raise the question of where the new car would be built. Although BMW is being vague, Autocar understands the new car could be built alongside the Mini Cooper in Oxford, using a new generation of petrol and diesel engines sourced from BMW's engine plant in Hams Hall.
Studies are also under way that could result in the new platform structure referred to by Reithofer being used for future generations of the 1-series - although BMW is still undecided on whether the third-generation model, due in 2018, will be front-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive.
"We are looking at alternatives," a Munich insider told Autocar. "With the new platform set to support four-wheel drive, it wouldn't be that hard to use the transmission tunnel for a rear-wheel-drive application."
The new model is being developed as part of plans to help increase parts sharing and bolster the potential for production savings between the BMW and Mini brands, thus bringing an end to the era of rear and four-wheel drive-only BMW models.
Speaking to Autocar at the last week's Geneva motor show, Reithofer said internal BMW studies revealed that, despite the downturn in the world’s economy, there is continued demand for what he described as "premium vehicles" in the small car class.
He then officially acknowledged plans that will see BMW producing a rival to the recently unveiled Audi A1 and a new Smart Forfour presently under development at rival Mercedes-Benz.
"We will be extending the BMW and Mini brands into the small car segment with new models and variants," said Reithofer.
Being careful to separate the new price-leading front-wheel-drive model from BMW's upcoming city car - a totally different project as part of its Mega City Vehicle electric car initiative - Reithofer added, "For these new vehicles [the new BMW and Mini] we are developing a common architecture for both front and four-wheel drive."
While exact details remain shrouded in secrecy, Autocar can confirm the new entry-level BMW has been conceived to run the same front-wheel-drive underpinnings as the next-generation Mini Cooper.
The new Mini Cooper is not due out until 2014, but the small BMW could be on UK roads as early as 2013 as part of a major thrust by the company to become the undisputed sales leader in the premium small car class.
Plans to base the new entry-level BMW on the same platform as the Mini Cooper also raise the question of where the new car would be built. Although BMW is being vague, Autocar understands the new car could be built alongside the Mini Cooper in Oxford, using a new generation of petrol and diesel engines sourced from BMW's engine plant in Hams Hall.
Studies are also under way that could result in the new platform structure referred to by Reithofer being used for future generations of the 1-series - although BMW is still undecided on whether the third-generation model, due in 2018, will be front-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive.
"We are looking at alternatives," a Munich insider told Autocar. "With the new platform set to support four-wheel drive, it wouldn't be that hard to use the transmission tunnel for a rear-wheel-drive application."
Considering the price of an optioned out Mini, I wonder if this is too much brand crossover...
Are they going to call it the 1/2 Series? lol.
03-16-2010 | 07:58 AM
#5
Joined: May 2002
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Originally Posted by ZDan,Mar 16 2010, 08:19 AM
Crap.
What they *should* be concentrating on is developing smaller/lighter-weight rwd cars!
They shouldn't be making a fwd BMW Mini, they should be making new rwd cars more in the 2002 and E30 vein.
What they *should* be concentrating on is developing smaller/lighter-weight rwd cars!
They shouldn't be making a fwd BMW Mini, they should be making new rwd cars more in the 2002 and E30 vein.
That said, FWD packaging is generally more efficient and, for lower-powered models, works very well.
03-16-2010 | 08:01 AM
#6
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,280
Likes: 118
Well it's all down hill from here. Once they realize that 95% of their buyers are too ignorant to know the difference between FWD and RWD what incentive do they have to keep making RWD cars? Not us and our tiny demographic.
03-16-2010 | 08:18 AM
#7
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Posts: 35,993
Likes: 215
From: Queen City, NC
BMW 0 Series, and with good reason.
I already think BMW has lost its way, it should be interesting to see a subcompact bimmer packed with excess electronic doodads.
This will be a rebadged Mini, at a cost premium because of the Roundel. More brand dilution imo.
I already think BMW has lost its way, it should be interesting to see a subcompact bimmer packed with excess electronic doodads.
This will be a rebadged Mini, at a cost premium because of the Roundel. More brand dilution imo.
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03-16-2010 | 08:19 AM
#8
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 6,863
Likes: 125
From: Pawtucket, RI
Yup. A real shame that they went in the Buick/Camaro direction (as far as weight goes) and totally ignored true die-hard minimalist SPORTS car and SPORT sedan enthusiasts.
3400 lb. sports cars? 3700+ lb. M3? 3200+ lb. 1-series?
Not to mention the SUV and "Gran Turismo" (what?!) abominations.
So instead of even freaking trying to get back into smaller/lighter-weight FUN rwd cars, they throw in the towel and go fwd on us.
Like Mr.E.G. sez, as soon as they realize how many more fwd appliances they can sell to the unwashed masses, they'll never look back.
Again, CRAP.
3400 lb. sports cars? 3700+ lb. M3? 3200+ lb. 1-series?
Not to mention the SUV and "Gran Turismo" (what?!) abominations.
So instead of even freaking trying to get back into smaller/lighter-weight FUN rwd cars, they throw in the towel and go fwd on us.
Like Mr.E.G. sez, as soon as they realize how many more fwd appliances they can sell to the unwashed masses, they'll never look back.
Again, CRAP.
03-16-2010 | 08:32 AM
#9
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Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Palo Alto
For those who have looked at them I have a question. I got the feeling the old E30 3-series had reasonable back seat space, say comparable to a Civic or Corolla. Is that correct? I also understand the current 1 series has very little rear seat space. The 1 series seems to be about the same size as the old E30 yet weighs what, over 500 lbs more? So my question is where did all the space go? What makes the E30 so much roomier and lighter? Of course modern safety gear is part of it but what else? Am I just completely wrong?
BMW is terrible anyway. Even if they made a sub 3,000 lb rwd coupe with 300hp and I still wouldn't buy it.