[sonicbimmer19]

In about 5 years, BMW is going to be like, "When we released our first front-wheel drive 1 series, we were very confident that front-wheel drive cars can be just as fun as rear-wheel drive. The market has changed and engineerers are confident that they can do the same with bigger cars. That led to our decision of making front-wheel drive 3 series, 4 series and 5 series. In addition, currently, we are studying possibility of a front-wheel drive M cars. We strive to improve fun driving and we believe our engineerers are capable of delivering that with a front-wheel drive platform."

But with all seriousness, it's smart I guess. It's better to survive than to be stubborn and go bankrupt or lose independence.

[BMW269]

Nobody is going to buy this car, whatever badge or price it has. I can't think of any FWD that has success. There were also not many. Think about the Fiat Barchetta, ich was cheap, good looking, light and "fun" to drive, but it just had no real success. I boubt a BMW badge will change alot.

[ORIGIN M.]

Originally Posted by sonicbimmer19

Not too long ago, Scott27 said roadsters were going to go through name changes when he went through the UKL platform...
He basically said:

Z1: fwd compact/smaller roadster
Z3: similar to current Z4 but with soft top. Also going back to very popular name
Z5: up-marketed current Z4. A bit bigger and hardtop (more of a gran turismo)

Correct.

This makes zero sense at all.

[clbmw]

I personally don't care that some FWD cars are coming. If they are crap and don't handle I won't buy one. I'd put money on it that 90%+ of models will remain RWD.

I'm sure though the customer base that buys 1 series without knowing about RWD or heritage will plough money at a roadster... All that means is BMW take more of the market and in my mind are more likely to spend some money on some really special things e.g. a new M1

[yousefnjr]

So theres no new Z4 M in sight, the current Z can't be had in 35is flavor with a manual, and now we're losing rwd too?

It's a good thing many other manufacturers are making good cars these days.

[BMW269]

Originally Posted by clbmw

All that means is BMW take more of the market and in my mind are more likely to spend some money on some really special things e.g. a new M1

That means nothing. There are always reasons not those "special things", otherwise we would already have them today.

[bimmerjph]

Originally Posted by Levi

That means nothing. There are always reasons not those "special things", otherwise we would already have them today.

+1 The only thing that means is that they can get away with selling FWD cars.

[Frencholivier]

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

The purpose to this car is to provide an additional model alongside the more sportier and individual MINI Coupe/Roadster replacements to provide a symmetrical link between BMW and MINI.

At BMW the current focus. Is on the UKL cars because they will provide an extra 800,000 combined BMW and MINI units to overall group sales.
The Active Tourer showed how this family will develop in terms of appearance and individuality. The biggest issue of the UKL BMW was how to make this car drive like a BMW. Something the engineers have accomplished.

or, simply put, you can rebadge and reingeneer the Mini coupe and call it a Z2. Isn't the Active Tourer the BMW equivalent to the (future) Mini Countryman?
BMW has to do what Audi and VW are doing, economies of scale baby.

[///MD]

a lot of complaints coming from a driving enthusiast message board. BMW makes plenty of amazing cars. let them make their money grabber too. no one is making you guys buy it. I'm sure making billions of dollars makes perfect sense to them and they couldn't care less about it not making sense to all you. as long as it doesn't foreshadow the demise of the 2,3,and 5 platforms i don't give a rats ass about them watering down their product line

[MoeM3Power]

Never be fan of FWD for Benz, BMW, and Audi. It doesn't make sense seriously.

[BimmerMat135]

BMW brand has never been that much diluted before. Sure you will sell more cars but in couple years who will buy BMW(and pay a premium over other brand) if there is one at every street corner and they dont have anything special?

[Renus]

If I want to buy a FWD car, definitely won't be BMW. (thumb down)

[carl_d]

Originally Posted by Iron Man

This is the biggest bunch of BS I have read in a long time. FWD car that drives like a BMW? So all the marketing BMW has shove down our throats about RWD being the Ultimate Driving Machine is nothing but lies?

This is nothing but a bean counter, brand dilution move by BMW. The Finance and MBA guys are taking over. I know they still will offer RWD cars, but these FWD cars are not "true" to the brand, and this is not good. Alienate enthusiasts and in the long run BMW will suffer. I remember reading articles about Honda losing its way/mojo, well it feels like BMW is following the same path.

Agree. I suggest BMW needs to create a new brand for FWD cars, sitting between MINI and BMW, to avoid diluting the BMW brand. They could use an older brand they already own from the Rover days such as Triumph or Riley.

The other side of the story also needs considering. How big should a MINI be? The current MINI is large enough and anything larger is too big to be a real Mini. Again more brand dilution. The Countryman is far too large and stretches the MINI brand too far. They need a new middle brand.

[Touring]

Come on bmw, be cool. Make it a RWD, you have the financial strength for that. We will be happy,and you will earn more money, its going to sell like ****! :-)

[J Lau]

I am 100% with the Z2 because I think it's time for BMW to come up with something to compete with the TT.

But NO!!!! NO FWD!!!! BiG NONO!!!
I am already quite upset with BMW about the X5M & X6M.

Seems like BMW has lost focus on what they are good at making. The Ultimate Driving Machine.
=(

[BMW269]

The issue is not BMW building FWD cars. The issue is BMW not building the "right cars", by which I mean some 2 seater two door lightweight (more or less powerful) performance sports coupé. Z4 M Coupé could be that car. Who cares if Porsche decides to build a rebadge AWD VW Scirocco, as long as the core cars (Cayman, 911 - less) are good.

Afterall, I don't really car. I'm interested in M2 Coupé and M4 GranCoupé. These ones are coming for sure and are promissing. As for the rest there are other companies that offer the needed products, maybe not with some of BMW advantages, but that are not bad either. I'm looking into getting the coming Alfa Romeo 4C or more powerful version of Toyota GT86/Subaru BRZ.

[ORIGIN M.]

Dude - Last year you said the complete opposite of what you are now saying now.

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

The purpose to this car is to provide an additional model alongside the more sportier and individual MINI Coupe/Roadster replacements to provide a symmetrical link between BMW and MINI.

At BMW the current focus. Is on the UKL cars because they will provide an extra 800,000 combined BMW and MINI units to overall group sales.
The Active Tourer showed how this family will develop in terms of appearance and individuality. The biggest issue of the UKL BMW was how to make this car drive like a BMW. Something the engineers have accomplished.

[Harold Wood]

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

The purpose to this car is to provide an additional model alongside the more sportier and individual MINI Coupe/Roadster replacements to provide a symmetrical link between BMW and MINI.

At BMW the current focus. Is on the UKL cars because they will provide an extra 800,000 combined BMW and MINI units to overall group sales.
The Active Tourer showed how this family will develop in terms of appearance and individuality. The biggest issue of the UKL BMW was how to make this car drive like a BMW. Something the engineers have accomplished.

Could be a fun toy, an Austin Healey Sprite TT

[antzcrashing]

Originally Posted by red-sauerkraut

Dude - Last year you said the complete opposite of what you are now saying now.

+1 they said that BMW and Mini would remain unique

[Nang Vann]

What the, FWD?

Oh well, lets see what happens

[SCOTT26]

First of all lets get into the fact that BMW already make an fwd car called the MINI which gets rave reviews for its driving dynamics despite being FWD.
BMW have tapped into this by mirroring typical BMW dynamics and steering communication within the new UKL cars.

Having driven a mid-term prototype I can tell you that it will appeal to the driver who in the case of the Active Tourer could have sacrificed a 1er for more flexibility for their family will still have a car that looks,performs and drives like a BMW.

The Roadster plan is very much what I reported earlier - the Z1 is the FWD car. The original project that was to be the Z2 is still Rwd - only the name has changed.

There will be an M Performance Z4 but you need to be patient until BMW launch an M Performance 3/4er first.

[RickyZone]

I'm just going to put this out there. F'CK YOU BMW. You're losing it.

In the most recent years, BMW has done nothing but abandoned all of which represented the sole character of their brand. Buttery smooth straight six engines, rear-wheel drive, and being "The Ultimate Driving Machine". It's all gone/disappearing. BMW has lost their character, striving for market share and economic profit. With the exception of the BMW 1M (which no doubt is an amazing car), the same can even be said regarding the M-division. 2-tonne cars with artificial engine noise playing through the in-car speakers? Give me a break.