RE: BMW: Geneva 2014
Tuesday 4th March 2014
We've seen BMW's new M3 and M4 combo already, but standing next to the blue and acid greeny-yellow meanies respectively here at Geneva has ramped the excitement up to 11. The anticipation of our very own 'PH-spec' M4 is drool-worthy.
Tasty looking; hurry up with the M versionHeadline numbers deserve repeating: 431hp and 406lb ft from a new twin-turbocharged straight-six. 0-62mph in 4.1 seconds with bee-em's DCT 'box.
Bye-bye brand values, hello volume?The usual cooking petrol and diesel models will clog the school car park first, followed by some hotter four-wheel drive variants. The 231hp 225i xDrive is our only hope.
BMW: Geneva 2014
The good, the bad and the ugly from BMW's Geneva display
Tasty looking; hurry up with the M version
We know that'll be good, but we still like the fact the brace of hot BMWs will come with a six-speed manual as standard. It might replicate the heel'n'toe bit for you, should you wish, but at least it's good fodder for that age-old PH debate.
From BMW's brilliant best to arguably its most controversial car in its 98-year history: the 2 Series Active Tourer - it's getting plenty of attention out here in Geneva, for all the wrong reasons. We can't say we're overly enamoured with the generic Eurobox styling, or the fact that it's an MPV. Or the fact it's the first time the roundel has ever been fitted to a front-wheel drive model.
Bye-bye brand values, hello volume?
Righting the wrongs of the 2er AT and rounding off BMW's wares here in Switzerland is the 4 Series Gran Coupe - it's something of a niche car, being a four-door variant of a two-door version (4 Series) of a four-door car (3 Series), but by god is it elegant. M4 GC please, BMW.
Discussion
I would have thought that as cars from different companies seem to become ever more like each other, brand values - and valuable brand values at that - would be worth holding onto. Considering the innovation show by the i3 I'm surprised BMW felt the need to go and do what they've done.
Slag off one car for being a neiche that's very populR already for one that really has no purpose, the 3gt and 4gt look so much jt he same so whys the 4 get praise and the 3gt get slagged off?
Can't wait for the offical launch of the x4, will it be praised where the x6 is slagged off?
Have BMW ever said they will only ever make RWD cars or is it pistonheaders who don't like change throwing their toys out the pram about it?
I was under the impression ultimate driving machine didn't apply exclusively to rwd since the x5 is best to drive in it's class, so why shouldn't the 2 active tourer be better than the b class or c max
Can't wait for the offical launch of the x4, will it be praised where the x6 is slagged off?
Have BMW ever said they will only ever make RWD cars or is it pistonheaders who don't like change throwing their toys out the pram about it?
I was under the impression ultimate driving machine didn't apply exclusively to rwd since the x5 is best to drive in it's class, so why shouldn't the 2 active tourer be better than the b class or c max
Edited by okie592 on Tuesday 4th March 16:39
What's all this negativity over front wheel drive?
We all raved about the Golf GTI when it first appeared on the scene and the hacks continue to do so with the current mk 7. The driven wheels are only a small part of the handling package and with BMW's previous track record of getting the whole package right, are we not a little premature in kicking the 2 series into touch?
This could be an excellent car and made even better with the increased visibility that the higher driving position brings.
We all raved about the Golf GTI when it first appeared on the scene and the hacks continue to do so with the current mk 7. The driven wheels are only a small part of the handling package and with BMW's previous track record of getting the whole package right, are we not a little premature in kicking the 2 series into touch?
This could be an excellent car and made even better with the increased visibility that the higher driving position brings.
What complete turd of a car. Ugly, expensive (probably), FWD and not that practical by the looks of it, just seems pointless. Same goes for all of these 5 seat MPVs like the C-Max, Picasso etc - all these seem to be able to offer over a 'proper car' is taller doors, that's it.. If it had 7 seats then fair enough but otherwise an estate car offers more practicality and a better drive.
Kong said:
What complete turd of a car. Ugly, expensive (probably), FWD and not that practical by the looks of it, just seems pointless. Same goes for all of these 5 seat MPVs like the C-Max, Picasso etc - all these seem to be able to offer over a 'proper car' is taller doors, that's it.. If it had 7 seats then fair enough but otherwise an estate car offers more practicality and a better drive.
Have you driven it?Kong said:
What complete turd of a car. Ugly, expensive (probably), FWD and not that practical by the looks of it, just seems pointless. Same goes for all of these 5 seat MPVs like the C-Max, Picasso etc - all these seem to be able to offer over a 'proper car' is taller doors, that's it.. If it had 7 seats then fair enough but otherwise an estate car offers more practicality and a better drive.
Can't see why you'd pay a (no doubt substantial) premium for this over similar cars from other manufacturers. Unless the lease deals are cheap....
I was a bit dubious of the 4GC at first but I'm liking the concept.From Sniff Petrol:
"Geneva was the first public showing for the BMW 2-series Active Tourer which is not only the firm’s first own-brand front-wheel-drive car but also their first named after someone who hangs around public lavatories."
ETA would make a good combo with a Toyota Urban Cruiser...
"Geneva was the first public showing for the BMW 2-series Active Tourer which is not only the firm’s first own-brand front-wheel-drive car but also their first named after someone who hangs around public lavatories."
ETA would make a good combo with a Toyota Urban Cruiser...
in the story about the 2 series it says "bye bye brand values hello volumes " bmw have gone for volume sales with the 3 series (company car). at car auctions there is one after another that's come off its 3/4 year lease. Because there is so many used values are dropping, At a recent auction there was about a dozen "60"
plate 318d/320d saloon"s selling for £5,900 +commission (with high mileage ) to £7,600 for the business edition models with Nav/leather etc .I was tempted but ended up with a older 5 series. (there was a 2010 new shape 5 series sold for 10k)
plate 318d/320d saloon"s selling for £5,900 +commission (with high mileage ) to £7,600 for the business edition models with Nav/leather etc .I was tempted but ended up with a older 5 series. (there was a 2010 new shape 5 series sold for 10k)
This more mainstream effort is to a, gain economies of scale from the platform shared with the Mini and b, volume sales. Yes, ultimately it's not the stuff of a PHer's dreams but stuff like this and X models will shift in numbers and help keep BMW independent. They can build what they want and remain in charge of their own destiny. M cars, mad cars is what we want but they won't do it on their own.
A BMW as part of VW, sharing their platforms... I can imagine those posts now. I don't really care about cars it don't like and why people buy them. I read almost daily, why, what's it for...? Why does anyone really care? If someone wants to buy a 2er Sport Active thing or go large on an X6M it's their money and doesn't trouble me one lil bit. As long as what I want is being produced I don't care what else they offer. The boring stuff allows the continued production of the sexy stuff. Simples.
A BMW as part of VW, sharing their platforms... I can imagine those posts now. I don't really care about cars it don't like and why people buy them. I read almost daily, why, what's it for...? Why does anyone really care? If someone wants to buy a 2er Sport Active thing or go large on an X6M it's their money and doesn't trouble me one lil bit. As long as what I want is being produced I don't care what else they offer. The boring stuff allows the continued production of the sexy stuff. Simples.
aspirated said:
Kong said:
What complete turd of a car. Ugly, expensive (probably), FWD and not that practical by the looks of it, just seems pointless. Same goes for all of these 5 seat MPVs like the C-Max, Picasso etc - all these seem to be able to offer over a 'proper car' is taller doors, that's it.. If it had 7 seats then fair enough but otherwise an estate car offers more practicality and a better drive.
Have you driven it?Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff