BMW's front-wheel drive car spied
Discussion
http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1060927_bmw-fro...
In the early part of last year BMW confirmed it was working on a new front-wheel drive model to slot in below its current 1-Series and compete with the likes of the Audi A1 and next-generation Mercedes-Benz A-Class.
Now, just one year onwards, we have what’s likely to be the first spy shots of a prototype for the entry-level BMW, which were taken near the automaker’s headquarters in Germany. The prototype you see here wearing BMW’s typical swirly pattern camouflage is a five-door hatchback, with a fairly conventional body although the front bonnet appears to be very low and the overhangs quite short.
This same week prototypes for the 2013 MINI Cooper, the third-generation of the modern MINI, started testing in the UK and this car’s front-wheel drive platform is expected to be the same as the BMW’s.
Note that this platform won’t be shared with BMW’s other new small car, the 2014 BMW i3, which is being designed from the ground up to feature electric drivetrains and will remain rear-wheel drive.
You may recall BMW boss Norbert Reithofer confirmed the joint platform project at a speech last year, saying: "For these new vehicles [the new BMW and MINI] we are developing a common architecture for both front and four-wheel drive."
The thought of a front-wheel drive model wearing the BMW roundel has always seemed like sacrilege to car enthusiasts, but the realities of the modern auto industry have apparently conspired to make the car a necessity for even luxury automakers it seems. Remember, it was revealed that as much as 80 percent of BMW 1-Series drivers weren’t aware that their cars were actually rear-wheel drive.
In addition to front-wheel drive, another big change will be coming in the form of a new three-cylinder engine family for the new car. This family of modular gasoline and diesel engines will eventually go into some 1.5 million BMW and MINI models annually and will feature BMW’s latest ‘TwinPower Turbo’ technology.
TwinPower Turbo technology features a twin-scroll turbocharging system, direct fuel injection and solenoid injectors, the latter being the latest innovation for BMW’s VALVETRONIC variable valve control system. The resulting effect is a small engine--and small engine fuel economy--but with big engine performance.
A hybrid model is expected, too, with BMW working closely with France’s PSA Peugeot Citroen group on the new technology. The two have already signed a deal to expand their already successful powertrain cooperation by now including hybrid component development for front-wheel drive cars. Expect zero emission electric models further down the track as well.
As our computer-generated preview renderings indicate, a three-door model will likely be offered along with the five-door you see in the prototype spy shots above.
The big question now remains as to what will the BMW front-wheel drive cars be called? BMW is unlikely to use the ‘0-Series’ title as predicted earlier, and instead may rebadge the successor of the current 1-Series a 2-Series, freeing up the 1-Series badge for the new front-wheel drive model. Of course, this is only conjecture but there are some vital clues that strongly suggest such a possibility.
Late last year BMW filed U.S. trademark applications for 228, 230, and 235--the same engine designations as the current 1-Series range. And to add further fuel to the speculation fire, back in June BMW also trademarked the M2 moniker.
Look out for a release overseas in late 2013, but sadly, the chances of the car being sold in the U.S. are slim.
In the early part of last year BMW confirmed it was working on a new front-wheel drive model to slot in below its current 1-Series and compete with the likes of the Audi A1 and next-generation Mercedes-Benz A-Class.
Now, just one year onwards, we have what’s likely to be the first spy shots of a prototype for the entry-level BMW, which were taken near the automaker’s headquarters in Germany. The prototype you see here wearing BMW’s typical swirly pattern camouflage is a five-door hatchback, with a fairly conventional body although the front bonnet appears to be very low and the overhangs quite short.
This same week prototypes for the 2013 MINI Cooper, the third-generation of the modern MINI, started testing in the UK and this car’s front-wheel drive platform is expected to be the same as the BMW’s.
Note that this platform won’t be shared with BMW’s other new small car, the 2014 BMW i3, which is being designed from the ground up to feature electric drivetrains and will remain rear-wheel drive.
You may recall BMW boss Norbert Reithofer confirmed the joint platform project at a speech last year, saying: "For these new vehicles [the new BMW and MINI] we are developing a common architecture for both front and four-wheel drive."
The thought of a front-wheel drive model wearing the BMW roundel has always seemed like sacrilege to car enthusiasts, but the realities of the modern auto industry have apparently conspired to make the car a necessity for even luxury automakers it seems. Remember, it was revealed that as much as 80 percent of BMW 1-Series drivers weren’t aware that their cars were actually rear-wheel drive.
In addition to front-wheel drive, another big change will be coming in the form of a new three-cylinder engine family for the new car. This family of modular gasoline and diesel engines will eventually go into some 1.5 million BMW and MINI models annually and will feature BMW’s latest ‘TwinPower Turbo’ technology.
TwinPower Turbo technology features a twin-scroll turbocharging system, direct fuel injection and solenoid injectors, the latter being the latest innovation for BMW’s VALVETRONIC variable valve control system. The resulting effect is a small engine--and small engine fuel economy--but with big engine performance.
A hybrid model is expected, too, with BMW working closely with France’s PSA Peugeot Citroen group on the new technology. The two have already signed a deal to expand their already successful powertrain cooperation by now including hybrid component development for front-wheel drive cars. Expect zero emission electric models further down the track as well.
As our computer-generated preview renderings indicate, a three-door model will likely be offered along with the five-door you see in the prototype spy shots above.
The big question now remains as to what will the BMW front-wheel drive cars be called? BMW is unlikely to use the ‘0-Series’ title as predicted earlier, and instead may rebadge the successor of the current 1-Series a 2-Series, freeing up the 1-Series badge for the new front-wheel drive model. Of course, this is only conjecture but there are some vital clues that strongly suggest such a possibility.
Late last year BMW filed U.S. trademark applications for 228, 230, and 235--the same engine designations as the current 1-Series range. And to add further fuel to the speculation fire, back in June BMW also trademarked the M2 moniker.
Look out for a release overseas in late 2013, but sadly, the chances of the car being sold in the U.S. are slim.
cymtriks said:
darkdrew said:
Remember, it was revealed that as much as 80 percent of BMW 1-Series drivers weren’t aware that their cars were actually rear-wheel drive.
How many of those bought due to a reputation based, ultimately, on rear wheel drive, even if they didn't actually know this.Although BMW are claiming this 80% of owners, on all the various BMW forums, no 1 Series owner has said they were contacted by BMW...... so it's not exactly clear who these 80% of owners were?
Probably just a BMW management 'fake' justification for going down the fwd route
aeropilot said:
I bet most didn't even buy anyway, I bet the vast majority of 'that 80%' [in the UK at least] would have been company/lease cars ordered because of the 'status symbol' of the badge.
As I said, status gained by virtue of rear wheel drive.Can you name a seriously prestigious badge with front wheel drive?
BMW front wheel drive..a late mistimed April Fools surely..
my dwindling repect for BMW (due to X3/X6 etc) will be shot to bits if and when they impliment this..like the Range Rover Evoque..the brand loses it's appeal due to watering down and attracting the wrong type of buyer despite what the short term bottom line profit figures say. How many people in top end sports BMWs will gravitate towards Porsche if they feel they are driving some mass market brand (despite the sales figures of the 3 Series which are famously up there in the best sellers lists time after time, that is still a proper BMW)..
my dwindling repect for BMW (due to X3/X6 etc) will be shot to bits if and when they impliment this..like the Range Rover Evoque..the brand loses it's appeal due to watering down and attracting the wrong type of buyer despite what the short term bottom line profit figures say. How many people in top end sports BMWs will gravitate towards Porsche if they feel they are driving some mass market brand (despite the sales figures of the 3 Series which are famously up there in the best sellers lists time after time, that is still a proper BMW)..
davepoth said:
cymtriks said:
As I said, status gained by virtue of rear wheel drive.
Can you name a seriously prestigious badge with front wheel drive?
Mini.Can you name a seriously prestigious badge with front wheel drive?
Cadillac.
Alfa are still FWD and play in the Merc/BMW arena.
Aren't Audis either FWD or AWD?
BMW look like they're about to "do an Audi": That is to take an ordinary shopping car and throw some gloss at it. Hopefully, if they really have to do this, they can at least spend some of the profit on alternative models for enthusiasts. What happened to the 1-Series Ti concept? A lightweight 2.0-litre RWD model - we need more of these, not 'X-Drive69 WTF BBQ Sport's with 24-inch wheels and moron-assist as standard.
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