BMW to go Front wheel drive!!!

[Coisman]

imp:
Say it aint so... :bawling:

"...BMW refers to the new front-wheel drive family as the UKL Sub-Compact, a small stylish city car sharing a platform with the next generation MINI.

The new cars will be aimed at the Audi A3 and will provide versatility and high fuel efficiency, part due to the new three-cylinder engines.

Based on a new front-wheel drive platform and aluminium-intensive chassis, the new entry-level BMW models will be a traditional five-door hatchback and a sporting estate. They are scheduled to begin arriving in Europe in September 2013..."

Well, here is the article:
http://www.bmwblog.com/2010/12/14/bmw-front-wheel-drive-vehicle-rendered/

Also read this: http://www.bmwblog.com/2011/01/05/i...round-bmws-future-front-wheel-drive-vehicles/

imp:

 

[MikeR]

:banghead: they had to lower their standards

 

[Peejay]

That just :cursin: to hear.

 

[Sankekur]

They are also considering putting a V6 in the new M3 rather than the I6.....

 

[moranor@axis]

Wtf first the X1 now this shit let's hope this shit does not make it out the uk... I will key every one I see

 

[Skwinty]

Grow up for fecks sake.

 

[Wick-ed]

I would probably be the smaller more economical vehicles like 1.5 to 2.0cc. I HOPE...:thinking

 

[moranor@axis]

Grow up for fecks sake.

:thinking: why should i be happy about bmw selling their soul i just dont understand what they would gain by doing this they own mini so it just makes no sense why they would want to bring Fwd to bmw it they want to sell cheaper cars they can do it with mini...

minis are ment to be Fwd they pretty much started Fwd

 

[Skwinty]

:thinking: why should i be happy about bmw selling their soul i just dont understand what they would gain by doing this they own mini so it just makes no sense why they would want to bring Fwd to bmw it they want to sell cheaper cars they can do it with mini...

minis are ment to be Fwd they pretty much started Fwd

Firtly, MINIS are not cheap.

Secondly, You don't own BMW.

and thirdly, and most importantly, that you should even think about keying some one elses car because you don't approve of front wheel drive, indicates an extreme form of immaturity.:slap:

Now you may say you were only joking, but there was nothing in your post to indicate that.

I have owned many RWD and FWD. no big deal, its a car for goodness sake.

Each have their pros and cons.

I personally would not buy a BMW, but I don't going around dissing BMW on a public forum because its RWD.

 

[prospect]

I think it makes good business sense as it will drive down costs. Most people don't care whether their cars are FWD or RWD and FWD is cost effective. BMW is a business and their business is making cars and, ultimately, money!

 

[zaleonardz]

I am not entirely against this.

If I understand this, they are not dropping the traditional rearwheel drive 3 series +, just adding another front wheel drive model.

Small engine, price sensative vehicle, and this is to compete in the Toyota Yaris/other small car market space, so one would assume that in relation, it will be cost concious.

Now what exactly is wrong with that, you are wasting your time putting rear wheel drive on a 3 cylinder motor, and the world markets are calling (if not demanding), so BMW would be stupid not to offer a product into this market segment.

Actually,Merc has had the A-Class for ages, which of course, is FWD...

If BMW was going to stop making RWD cars (which wont happen), then we have cause to panic, but they are expanding the brand, capturing a previously untapped market for BMW, and providing competition to the other Euro hatches.

Just means more ppl will have BMW keys in hand, and you can still buy your rear wheel drive 335.... sooo ?

 

[Skwinty]

+1000 :thumbsup:

 

[zaleonardz]

This however is not cool.....

They are also considering putting a V6 in the new M3 rather than the I6.....

 

[Sankekur]

It was inevitable I guess, but BMW is a business and they have to make cars to fit most markets as not all people are like the most guys on the forum: That will look for a BMW that meets their needs and then buy that. Most people will look for a certain type of car and if BMW doesn't make that type of car they loose out on potential customers. I would not be surprised if we see a BMW bakkie or MPV in the future.

Not that I am saying I like this, but this is the way it is going to be. Personally I also thought it it was dumb when BMW launched the X5, as I saw BMW as makers of cars (in the generic sense), now BMW SUV's are everywhere and come in every number of the BMW range (current range), though i have to say I still think BMW SUV's are needless. But there is a market for it and thus BMW will be in the market.

 

[JustNN]

Wonder how its going to handle on a track, me for one do not like the idea of a Bmw fwd. But in the small car segment i think this car will do well weather is fwd or rwd.

Big question here is if it is going up against the A3's ans such and is totaly different car to a 1 series what are they going to make against the S3/RS3, is this going to be Bmw's first 4wd production car. Or are they just going to have the 1M as the small car leader

 

[Sankekur]

BMW has been making AWD cars for a some time, going back the the e46 xi's (that is the earliest that I know of)

 

[Coisman]

imp:
Skwinty, I still dont get it why you went off on what moranor said... :thinking:
I also cant see why they need to do this, why not rather expand the mini line further. :dunno:
I have driven ALLOT of fwd cars in my life, but grew up with some serious rwd cars too,
also had the pleasure of driving some awd cars as well, and must say, I think it sucks.
BMW is renouned for being rwd only brand, and now... c'mon :cursin: me no likey this at all.
Sankekur, I don't think bmw will make a ldv(bakkie) any time soon, problem here is the motorplan.
How would they treat a vehicle that is being abused labour wise, and give it a motorplan,
I know other manufacturers do have motorplans, but I dont see bmw going down that hole soon.
I just dont know, bmw like I said is rwd throughout the range, and I feel it could have stayed that way.
But thats just my oppinion, so please dont attack me too Skwinty

 

[Sankekur]

Uhmm because he said that he would key everyone he sees, basically inferring that he would damage someone else's car, witch is irresponsible and immature, I mean how would you feel if someone damages your car just because the he doesn't like BMW's?

I agree with what Skwinty said.


I don't see motorplan being an issue for a bakkie, BMW advertise there cars as track bred cars, they show pics of BMWs driving on tracks, they sell performance parts for their cars, yet if you go near a track with your car you can wave goodbye to your motorplan.

 

[Skwinty]

imp:
Skwinty, I still dont get it why you went off on what moranor said... :thinking:But thats just my oppinion, so please dont attack me too Skwinty

Think some more.

It was hardly an attack, more on comment about someone who would damage my car because it is FWD.

Besides, I wouldn't attack you, I would just skiet die bliksem.

 

[cuteboy]

I was quite dismayed hearing bmw will fwd
But then again I was when merc made the A-class but profits come first and just be glad they not making the 3-series fwd and sharing 1.3 vvt-i engines with toyota.But I'm sure them boys will set the benchmark in fwd jus the way they did with the M3,X5,Mini and the straight 6