Front Wheel Drive era of BMW almost here - FWD 1 Series GT concept to debut in Paris in September

[Sticky]

This is still so hard to believe but it is not a nightmare, it's really happening. Yes, BMW is going to show off their front wheel drive one series in concept form this September at the Paris Auto Show. We still believe front wheel drive should stay with Mini (especially considering this car will share the Mini platform) but BMW no longer cares about heritage or brand purity and simply wants as much sales volume as possible. This from the company that once mocked front wheel drive in a series of advertisements. Things just keep getting more bizarre at BMW.

[Yukohama]

it looks like a VW golf...

[Sticky]

it looks like a VW golf...

Probably isn't even as good as one.

[SSO95]

BMW's taking a turn for the worst.. Watch out for the M135iD GT xDrive, or something booty along those lines.



and still won't be available in 'Merica.

[DBFIU]

That thing is a disgrace to the 1 series badge... GTFO

[DBFIU]

BMW's taking a turn for the worst.. Watch out for the M135iD GT xDrive, or something booty along those lines.



and still won't be available in 'Merica.

I am still searching for the best BMW nomeclature and I think you are close.

Lets see if this works.

M///120d sDrive35is GT

[SSO95]

I am still searching for the best BMW nomeclature and I think you are close.

Lets see if this works.

M///120d sDrive35is GT

Yeah I'm not sure what those guys at BMW are doing, maybe they scored some crazy meth or something... I can't imagine trying to tell a girl what I drove if they release anything along those lines.

[Autobahn335i]

What a waste of resources...

[Sticky]

What a waste of resources...

They need to sell this crap to make enough money to prop up the "i" brand.

[SSO95]

They need to sell this crap to make enough money to prop up the "i" brand.

I thought that whole thing failed already. They should've just introduce those models into BMW itself, starting a whole new brand is like taking a shot in the dark. But than again I doubt I could manage/run a multi-billion dollar corporation.

[Sticky]

I thought that whole thing failed already. They should've just introduce those models into BMW itself, starting a whole new brand is like taking a shot in the dark. But than again I doubt I could manage/run a multi-billion dollar corporation.

BMW is becoming this huge entity that needs to feed itself by constantly expanding. It would be the United States of cars if it didn't turn a profit.

[whoosh]

da fuq?

[1cleanAMG]

Chill out people BMW needs this. Its meant to compete with the Mercedes B Class in Europe. MB has had big success with the B Class and BMW wants a piece of the cake. Its fine by me as long as it brings money in for development of a M mid-engine supercar.

[Sticky]

BMW mocked front wheel drive as something they would never do. Now it makes sense?

[1cleanAMG]

BMW mocked front wheel drive as something they would never do. Now it makes sense?

Yes it does. What makes the B Class exceptional is that the space in the back isn't compromised by the differential tunnel in the middle of the back seat like in a traditional RWD car therefore leaving a big amount of space for its rear occupants which is really important for a car this size. Remember this isn't a sports car, the duties of this car will be different than a regular 1 series hatch.

[Yukohama]

so why does BMW all of a sudden have to build this car? you don't see Porsche trying to build a car to compete against the B-class

[Sorena]

Screw BMW. I'm so happy that lived in an era that BMW was BMW and it's cars were the best and more importantly, i enjoyed them. Now they can do whatever they want, The M3 is going to be the last brand new BMW i drive.

[G0TB00ST?]

This is only a concept right? So maybe by some miracle this abomination will never see production.

[Autobahn335i]

so why does BMW all of a sudden have to build this car? you don't see Porsche trying to build a car to compete against the B-class

But they built the Cayenne... that's even worse!

[654]

so why does BMW all of a sudden have to build this car? you don't see Porsche trying to build a car to compete against the B-class

Porsche's knowhow is very restricted and they simply cannot produce anything like this.

[fast4door]

"but BMW no longer cares about heritage or brand purity and simply wants as much sales volume as possible"

sounds a little dramatic to me..companies evolve..they are after all, a business..businesses are in the business of making money, thats what they do...its like what someone else previously said..BMW recognized a need for this car in the european market..they want to compete with MB and they want a piece of the cake..I have no problem with that..its business 101

[whoosh]

No doubt that BMW needs to compete in this segment - Audi has the A2 (or A1?) small car in Europe, and MB has their small class as well.

I think it's not just about competing with the other makers though. Fuel efficiency standards are requiring makers to produce cars like this. Porsche is making a hybrid 911... It's sad that BMW can no longer lay claim to the pure RWD product lineup, but in the end if it allows the company to move forward and still give us the higher performance offerings, I don't care if people have the FWD cars as well. Doesn't mean I have to buy them.

[Sticky]

"but BMW no longer cares about heritage or brand purity and simply wants as much sales volume as possible"

sounds a little dramatic to me..companies evolve..they are after all, a business..businesses are in the business of making money, thats what they do...its like what someone else previously said..BMW recognized a need for this car in the european market..they want to compete with MB and they want a piece of the cake..I have no problem with that..its business 101

It isn't dramatic, it is what it is.

[Sticky]

No doubt that BMW needs to compete in this segment - Audi has the A2 (or A1?) small car in Europe, and MB has their small class as well.

What, Mini can't do it?

[Sticky]

Porsche's knowhow is very restricted and they simply cannot produce anything like this.

They have the VW group, why not? They produced SUV's and sedans without previously doing so.