FWD BMW 1 Series expected at Paris Motor Show

[cawimmer430]

FWD BMW 1 Series expected at Paris Motor Show



So here it is: Autocar reports that we'll see the first front-drive BMW at the Paris Motor Show this September, in concept form. It will likely be called the 1 Series GT, and the report says it will debut in late 2014. The car will share a platform with the forthcoming Mini redesign, as well as the turbo 1.5-liter three-cylinder Mini engine that's basically half of a BMW 3.0-liter inline six.

Boo. Wasn't there something in the 1990 German Reunification treaty about BMW never making front-drive cars? Well there should have been.

Of course, we've known that BMW has planned to throw away what last bit of brand purity it still retains since early 2010, when its chairman announced as much. And we know the reasoning: The front-drive, entry-level Bimmers are for the customers too dumb to know any better. But that doesn't mean we have to like it, even if BMW says it will still build the larger, rear-wheel-drive cars that have made the brand so special for decades.

We will thus cling to the hope that this concept is just an elaborate marketing trick to drive sales of the current 1 Series.


Link: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/09/fwd-bmw-1-series-expected-at-paris-motor-show/

[Atomic]

I know that FWD is frowned upon by BMW loyalists, but these models will sell and likely be conquest sales at that. They would never do this to the 3 series and up. Great new grill but no mistaking it for anything other than a Bimmer.

Nice links, BTW, Wimmer!

[MX793]

Purely from a packaging standpoint, FWD makes sense in a car the size of a 1 series, particularly if you intend it to have a usable rear seat.  The current 1er's rear seat is a joke compared to other, similarly sized C-segment cars.  A small back seat is forgivable in a coupe/2+2, but if your car has rear doors, the rear seat space should be large enough to actually seat adults.

[Atomic]

Purely from a packaging standpoint, FWD makes sense in a car the size of a 1 series, particularly if you intend it to have a usable rear seat.  The current 1er's rear seat is a joke compared to other, similarly sized C-segment cars.  A small back seat is forgivable in a coupe/2+2, but if your car has rear doors, the rear seat space should be large enough to actually seat adults.

Exactly what I was thinking. There is a market for such a car.

[Galaxy]

Exactly what I was thinking. There is a market for such a car.

Well yes, the question is if BMW should enter it? Should Ferrari?

[S204STi]

Well yes, the question is if BMW should enter it? Should Ferrari?

Comparing BMW to Ferrari in this context doesn't make sense.  It's not like BMW builds only exotic RWD supercars.

[S204STi]

I'm really interested in this new I3 turbo.  I'd hit a MINI if it were powered by one (and assuming it works well).  Put a sports exhaust on that and it might even sound like a four-wheeled Triumph.

[sportyaccordy]

I'm really interested in this new I3 turbo.  I'd hit a MINI if it were powered by one (and assuming it works well).  Put a sports exhaust on that and it might even sound like a four-wheeled Triumph.

High hopes friend. Two big elements of the Triumph sound are revs and unblocked exhausts- two things a turbo BMW motor won't have. Maybe they will include an engine note sound generator

Will prob be incredibly economic + low end torquey though, which will be a big plus for an econo car. But I bet it wont rev much higher than 6-7 and will sound like a washing machine

[S204STi]

Yeah, prob. One can only hope... BMW, after all, started out as an engine builder.  And some of their current offerings are splendidly designed.

[Galaxy]

Comparing BMW to Ferrari in this context doesn't make sense.  It's not like BMW builds only exotic RWD supercars.

But so far every BMW had RWD as standard, with AWD being an option sometimes. The 1er will break with this. No matter how you you put that is a significant break.

[S204STi]

But so far every BMW had RWD as standard, with AWD being an option sometimes. The 1er will break with this. No matter how you you put that is a significant break.

About as major as Subaru building a RWD coupe.  The world continues to spin on its axis.

[sportyaccordy]

Heritage be damned, all BMW cares about is the $$$. X5M is proof

[2o6]

Everytime I see the 1-series in profile, I am reminded of how useless and inefficent (packaging wise) the proportions are.

[S204STi]

Heritage be damned, all BMW cares about is the $$$. X5M is proof

BMW's heritage is building warplane engines for the Luftwaffe.  They've really blown it by moving into automobiles.

[cawimmer430]

Everytime I see the 1-series in profile, I am reminded of how useless and inefficent (packaging wise) the proportions are.

I've checked out the new model in detail. Everyone always talks about how "much more space" it has gained over the predecessor, but I feel that it hasn't gained any cabin space. In fact it feels more cramped to me. The transmission tunnel upfront is wider and the cockpit design takes away precious interior space. Rear and trunk space feel the same as the E87.

Here's mine in comparison.

[cawimmer430]

BMW's heritage is building warplane engines for the Luftwaffe.  They've really blown it by moving into automobiles.

[2o6]

By contrast, here's a bloopy Yaris with proportions that use it's space much better than the 1-series.

[CALL_911]

Yeah but dorifto

[sportyaccordy]

Yaris could actually be a good car if they did four things:

- Make a dedicated performance version (i.e. RS)
- tune the RS suspension more aggressively (harsher bushings + springs/shocks)
- bring back the 2ZZ!
- Make the wheel wells larger on all models (just put bigger tires on the stock wheels... better ride quality)

[2o6]

I don't agree with anything you said


Arguably, Yaris has the best in class ride, handling is OK.

There already is an RS model (1.5 turbo or 1.8TS)

Bigger wheels makes the car more expensive to maintain; looks fine as is

2ZZ i don't think will fit

[CJ]

Do we get the RS model?  No?  Irrelevant information. 

[Speed_Racer]

What about that study where most BMW owners which wheels were being driven in their cars? I don't think rwd vs fwd matters, a lot of people just want the status that comes with owning a Bimmer.

[S204STi]

I've checked out the new model in detail. Everyone always talks about how "much more space" it has gained over the predecessor, but I feel that it hasn't gained any cabin space. In fact it feels more cramped to me. The transmission tunnel upfront is wider and the cockpit design takes away precious interior space. Rear and trunk space feel the same as the E87.

Here's mine in comparison.

Move the engine forward to about the front edge of the wheel wells...

[Cookie Monster]

Move the engine forward to about the front edge of the wheel wells...

Obviously you've never been in a 1er with the engine sticking into the dashboard.

[280Z Turbo]

Obviously you've never been in a 1er with the engine sticking into the dashboard.

ITS LIKE A MOTORHOME!

[TurboDan]

I like the 1er, even though I believe it's overpriced in its current form, at least the trims we get in the U.S. market.

There's no reason why a car like this must be RWD. Being FWD will make it a more usable car, and a better small daily driver since it will handle better in the snow and such, for people who live in cold areas. BMW is making it FWD because it's more suited to FWD. I don't see this as "selling out," I see it as BMW not being locked into one type of platform and building the best car they can. And good on them for doing so.

And comparisons with Ferrari? BMW mass-produces passenger cars, 95% of which are probably used as daily drivers. They're not a niche automaker whatsoever.

[Rich]

It's nice to have a small RWD car.  The 3 is the size of the old 5 series.  Some people want small and RWD.

[2o6]

It's nice to have a small RWD car.  The 3 is the size of the old 5 series.  Some people want small and RWD.

Like two people.

[MX793]

Like two people.

I like small and RWD.  But if I'm buying a 5-door hatch, I also want a usable back seat and cargo area, which the 1-er lacks.  If they ditched the I6 and made their longest motor the turbo I4, they could move the firewall and front seats forward and get more cabin space while retaining the RWD layout.

[AltinD]

Arguably, Yaris has the best in class ride, handling is OK.

The Yaris I've rented drove like crap. The car is way too tall and felt unstable at speeds 70 MPH and above. Changing lane manouvers were scary and unprecise too.