[WAY]

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

FWD is the choice due to the progressive development of the market.
Premium Compact Cars are in demand and competition is high. In order to appeal to customers the product must be competitive.
Some of these customers are not enthusiasts. Many would simply chose because of connectivity or style which shows how progressive the world and market has become.

Cars in the compact segment have to be competitive in anyway possible. To achieve space and flexibility requirements demanded by customers then they must be FWD. Sharing with MINI increases the profit margin and is cost effective for further applications across the architecture.

Of course its about profit the company still needs to make money and survive in a highly contested market. And these compact models bring in huge profits Besides the profits must come in to bring a further radical M3 or something else.

Scott, I understand this, and supports what BMW is doing. However, does that mean we will never see a small RWD BMW ever again? Arguably that is the foundation in which the brand was built on, from the 1600, 2002, and of course the 3 series. With the 3 series now a mid sized car, are we never going to see a small RWD sports hatch, sedan or coupe ever again? That is sad if correct. I guess M2 will be the last in this line.

[yousefnjr]

Z4 sedan and sav?? April fools was months ago, man

[clbmw]

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

Going back to the steering issue have you not updated your software via your service department? Many here have and have found improvement?
You continue to beat the horse.

Regarding the future Z cars.
You mean the UKL based FWD Z1?

The Z4 becomes the Z5 and will share with a Toyota as will a Z3 Both are RWD.
The engineering schematics for the Carbon intensive architecture is impressive. You are going to see so much for so little with the combined force of BMW and Toyota using all their resources available.

BMW wants to re-invent its Z series sports cars and make them as cutting edge and influential as the BMWi models by visual appearance and state of the art engineering to highlight a new BMW philosophy for sports cars.

Vision ConnectedDrive and 328 Homage concepts are the template for the visuals. Plans also include a slightly massaged three cylinder entirely unique and exclusive in the Z3 Mille Miglia mimicking the classic 328 to provide excellent dynamics using lightweight materials.

But since Toyota are using the joint architecture for a next gen GT86 based Sedan, its one idea under discussion in Munich, essentially a four dr Z model and potentially an SAV Z model. Nothing has come to light yet but it is a niche that BMW are investigating.

What about the question of the 2 series going FWD or is that undecided?

The fact that many magazines rate the M235i as the best driving BMW for a decade suggests it would be insane to make it FWD UKL... What do others think?

I can see the rationale for FWD 1 series 3 door, 5 door and 4 door sedan, and RWD 2 series 2dr convertible and coupe and may be a 5 door gran coupe, but not FWD, not at all.

[MParallel]

All good things come to an end, it being by law or marketing.

First turbo's, now FWD, what's next?

Oh wait, these were thé two things that made BMW great. N/A RWD machines.

[Enilder]

Are we almost done with model lineups? I think BMW has everything covered at this point...1 series GC? 1 series GT? M1?

[hoyasaxa]

Originally Posted by pokerface

I think the bottom end of the product range is a bit crowded.

FWD 1 series sedan and wagon, plus AWD derivative
RWD 2 series coupe, convertible, plus AWD derivative
FWD 2 series MPV, plus AWD derivative

Is there going to be a FWD coupe too??

Sounds like the F22 is going away to be replaced by a FWD car? And the only RWD cars will be the larger models.

[Cuz5150]

Just what the world needs another FWD vehicle. Kill me NOW!!

[Ganicki]

Originally Posted by e92sport

Sedan looks like a Volvo s40

It does indeed. I love the look of my 135i. Oh we'll guess that's progress

[Alpine F31]

Originally Posted by hoyasaxa

Sounds like the F22 is going away to be replaced by a FWD car? And the only RWD cars will be the larger models.

If this is true, then it is a very sad day indeed. BMW finally releases a "proper" small RWD car that is fun to drive and doesn't cost north of $50,000, only to kill it for a FWD version? Tragic.

[wdeerfield]

so in 5 years, the 1er will start 38k and the 3er will run 58k and the 5er will be 78k.. see where this is going? this 1er needs to be well equipped for under 30

also, i cant imagine the interior being that great on the 1er as the f30 320 is terrible. lacks so much lux and tech its absurd. cant wait to see how much of a premium bmw charges for the soon to be mandatory rear view camera..

that said. im excited for a car the size of my e46 and this in msport with xdrive/CWP and Xenons will fit the bill. Just dont forget about the roof rack windows on this model.

Curious if the hatch will ever make it across the atlantic this time. with 300hp and awd, itd be a nice contender for the sti and gti

[Dog Face Pony Soldier]

I believe it is wrong to think choosing xDrive will negate the native FWD platform's handling flaws. The engine is still going to be in a horizontally opposed configuration... Probably hanging in front of the front axle no less. F/R weight distribution is not going to approach a native RWD platform.

[Diver]

A front wheel drive series of BMW's has long been promised. I am going to reserve judgment on this until more is known.

[BMW269]

Why are you all so surprised? Haven't I told you about the 1 Series Sedan FWD?

[ynguldyn]

Originally Posted by Levi

Why are you all so surprised? Haven't I told you about the 1 Series Sedan FWD?

They can no longer remain in denial.

[Nebraska330xi]

This just makes the M2 all that more desirable. If that's a limited release car then I suspect it will be very valuable in time.

[ORIGIN M.]

Originally Posted by glennQNYC

I believe it is wrong to think choosing xDrive will negate the native FWD platform's handling flaws. The engine is still going to be in a horizontally opposed configuration... Probably hanging in front of the front axle no less. F/R weight distribution is not going to approach a native RWD platform.

The North American bound cars will be rear biased xDrive.

[ORIGIN M.]

Originally Posted by Nebraska330xi

This just makes the M2 all that more desirable. If that's a limited release car then I suspect it will be very valuable in time.

The M2 will not be a limited #'s car.

[Ramos]

I thought the F22 was going to remain RWD! What the F?

[Kiwi]

So BMW has now agreed FWD is beat so the rubbish BMW told us over the years RWD was best. I'll never believe BMW again it sucks that they have caved in and soon will be selling cars designed by Toyota.

[dreamspeed]

Lol, BMW has pretty much gone back on everything they've said they wouldn't do.

AWD, FWD, M7, turbos, M SUVs etc etc.

Well, cash rules everything around me.

[Dennis911]

I am not going to argue about the decision to go FWD but Scott, could you take us through the decision making process that went into this?
I mean there must be a lot of positioning, marketing and numbers involved. Did you/BMW do market research, then calculate how much more revenue a potential FWD car with a roomier interior would create and how much more cost effective it is the "just" use the UKL platform for the 1 and 2 series?
Has there ever been a discussion that if the Mini and 2AT do well enough so that the UKL is used "enough" the 1/2 series could stay RWD or has the decision already been made when the new platform was called 3/5up?

[aajami]

Nice that BMW is making a small sedan, but it sucks that it's FWD. Why couldn't they make a 2-series Gran Coupe based on the F2x platform 2 years ago?

Always following, never leading...