New 1 Series to have FWD models !?

[g3org3y]

Claimed in Autocar

http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle.aspx?AR=...

article said:

Two roomy and highly practical front-wheel-drive BMWs are set to broaden the reach and appeal of the forthcoming second-generation 1-series.

The new front-drive models will be aimed squarely at the Audi A3. They will also provide added environmental credentials to BMW’s entry-level line-up through the introduction of a ground-breaking new three-cylinder engine.
...
BMW’s first modern-day front-wheel-drive models are known internally under the codename UKL (an acronym for the German words Unter Klasse). They are totally separate from the company’s high-profile MegaCity Vehicle project and form part of a new six-strong 1-series line-up.

Included are a three-door hatchback, a five-door hatchback, a coupé and a cabriolet, all with rear-wheel drive, plus the five-door hatchback and estate versions running on the new front-drive architecture.
...
In its design and packaging, the UKL is a vastly different proposition from the second-generation rear-drive 1-series that will make its world debut at the Geneva motor show in March. The primary difference between the two is that the front-drive car has its engine mounted transversely under a comparatively short bonnet rather than longitudinally under a typically long bonnet.
...
Unlike its rear-wheel-drive 1-series sibling, the UKL is not scheduled to run BMW’s six-cylinder motors, which are designed exclusively for a longitudinal layout. But that’s not to say that it won’t be without a performance variant. Munich insiders have revealed to Autocar plans for a resurrection of the ‘ti’ name on a Golf GTI-challenging performance model running a 220bhp version of BMW’s new turbocharged 2.0-litre engine.

[Debaser]

A front wheel drive BMW? Just shows that BMW haven't got a clue.

I really hope they never make a FWD 1-series (or any other BMW).

[Shaw Tarse]

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[Silver Smudger]

Debaser said:

A front wheel drive BMW?

Will never happen...



Oh.

[AnotherClarkey]

Debaser said:

A front wheel drive BMW? Just shows that BMW haven't got a clue.

I really hope they never make a FWD 1-series (or any other BMW).

Yes, yes, BMW really haven't got a clue about making or marketing cars.

[thinfourth2]

Debaser said:

A front wheel drive BMW? Just shows that BMW haven't got a clue.

I really hope they never make a FWD 1-series (or any other BMW).

75% of BMW buyers wouldn't know if they were side wheel drive. They buy a badge that comes with a car attached.

BMW have been looking at FWD for years I remember seeing pics of a FWD E36 mule.

[TommyBuoy]

thinfourth2 said:

Debaser said:

A front wheel drive BMW? Just shows that BMW haven't got a clue.

I really hope they never make a FWD 1-series (or any other BMW).

75% of BMW buyers wouldn't know if they were side wheel drive. They buy a badge that comes with a car attached.

BMW have been looking at FWD for years I remember seeing pics of a FWD E36 mule.

Don't see the problem with FWD BMW as long as they still build the RWD with a variety of engine choices...the more money BMW and other car companies make, the more chance of exciting machines being put together.

[Uriel]

Does that translate as under class...who would want to buy that?

I know cars are referred to as poverty spec, but really?

[neil_bolton]

TommyBuoy said:

thinfourth2 said:

Debaser said:

A front wheel drive BMW? Just shows that BMW haven't got a clue.

I really hope they never make a FWD 1-series (or any other BMW).

75% of BMW buyers wouldn't know if they were side wheel drive. They buy a badge that comes with a car attached.

BMW have been looking at FWD for years I remember seeing pics of a FWD E36 mule.

Don't see the problem with FWD BMW as long as they still build the RWD with a variety of engine choices...the more money BMW and other car companies make, the more chance of exciting machines being put together.

As much as it screams sacrilage in my heart, my head can see the sense in the case of the 1 series - the transmission tunnel really cuts a lot of space out of the back which could be used to help improve the cars standing in the class with regard to rear room.

Not so much of an issue with the other models and with Mercedes and Jaguar still doing RWD on the prestige models, if they start to try it with those other models it'll quickly turn me off them - it was one of the quirks that set them apart. If they start following everyone else, then thats a shame.

[kambites]

I can certainly see why they're doing it, but it sounds like the beginning of the end of the RWD 1-series platform to me. I wouldn't be surprised if they only run FWD and RWD in parallel for one generation then go FWD only (or FWD/AWD like Audi). Unless they can come up with a clever chassis architecture that allows efficiently packaged transverse and longitudinal installations which still share the majority of design and/or components, that is.

Edited by kambites on Friday 17th December 08:58

[dibbly dobbler]

So there's to be a 5-door hatch with front drive and a 5-door hatch with rear drive

Wonder which will sell better

[Dracoro]

dibbly dobbler said:

So there's to be a 5-door hatch with front drive and a 5-door hatch with rear drive

Wonder which will sell better

The cheaper one, which won't be the RWD!

Anyway, not so long ago, people said BMW moving away from N/A engines would never happen.......

[kambites]

dibbly dobbler said:

So there's to be a 5-door hatch with front drive and a 5-door hatch with rear drive

Wonder which will sell better

My money is on the the FWD one because it will be better packaged, cheaper, and probably viewed as "safer" by most buyers.

[toast boy]

dibbly dobbler said:

So there's to be a 5-door hatch with front drive and a 5-door hatch with rear drive

Wonder which will sell better

The FWD one, as has been said, most buyers are buying the brand, not the driving capabilities. They also tend to buy the cheapest model that gets them the badge. I've a feeling RWD will disappear pretty sharpish from that lineup. Unfortunately, the majority of the population don't think like PH.

[fathomfive]

kambites said:

dibbly dobbler said:

So there's to be a 5-door hatch with front drive and a 5-door hatch with rear drive

Wonder which will sell better

My money is on the the FWD one because it will be better packaged, cheaper, and probably viewed as "safer" by most buyers.

I doubt the majority of buyers would even begin to weigh up the differences between a FWD 1-series and a RWD 1-series in terms of safety.
Mind you, the sales pitch could be interesting "would sir like to go into the hedge forwards or backwards?"

[kambites]

fathomfive said:

I doubt the majority of buyers would even begin to weigh up the differences between a FWD 1-series and a RWD 1-series in terms of safety.
Mind you, the sales pitch could be interesting "would sir like to go into the hedge forwards or backwards?"

I think that's pretty much what people do think about RWD. Many people too young to remember when all cars were RWD and not interested enough to know better, associate RWD with uncontrollable over-steer and of course at the moment with being completely undriveable in snow.

[john_p]

AnotherClarkey said:

Debaser said:

A front wheel drive BMW? Just shows that BMW haven't got a clue.

I really hope they never make a FWD 1-series (or any other BMW).

Yes, yes, BMW really haven't got a clue about making or marketing cars.

[Wills2]

thinfourth2 said:

Debaser said:

A front wheel drive BMW? Just shows that BMW haven't got a clue.

I really hope they never make a FWD 1-series (or any other BMW).

75% of BMW buyers wouldn't know if they were side wheel drive. They buy a badge that comes with a car attached.

I've never met a BMW driver that didn't know their car was RWD, I love inverted snobbery don't you?

[dibbly dobbler]

fathomfive said:

kambites said:

dibbly dobbler said:

So there's to be a 5-door hatch with front drive and a 5-door hatch with rear drive

Wonder which will sell better

My money is on the the FWD one because it will be better packaged, cheaper, and probably viewed as "safer" by most buyers.

I doubt the majority of buyers would even begin to weigh up the differences between a FWD 1-series and a RWD 1-series in terms of safety.
Mind you, the sales pitch could be interesting "would sir like to go into the hedge forwards or backwards?"

LOL - very good

I agree the FWD will be the big seller but it seems like a marketing nightmare and surely will confuse Joe Public who presumably doesn't give a toss as stated above. Strange situation...

[kambites]

Wills2 said:

I've never met a BMW driver that didn't know their car was RWD, I love inverted snobbery don't you?

I have, quite a lot.

I'm sure there was an article (or maybe just a thread) saying that BMW themselves had done a survey and found that 70% of 1-series buyers thought they were FWD. Something like that.

ETA: Here you go: http://www.carpunk.co.uk/2010/03/rear-wheel-what-b...

Edited by kambites on Friday 17th December 09:22