[Skeiz]

Am I the only one that finds it a bit weird that the top engine would be a 125i? The test car has a L/R exhaust, which we normally see on cars with the x35i engines. :/

[Thurman Murch]

Blame it on the carbon fiber factory in Moses Lake, the expansion in Spartanburg and the new plant in Mexico... Something has to subsidize all of that

When you try to please everyone and still maintain a future profit margin you lose focus on the ingredient that made you successful in the first place

They don't make them like they used to

Keep your 135s and 1Ms, E46Ms, S6/85s, E39s... As long as you can

I think the E9/6... series wasn't as successful as it was supposed to be because of the 2008 downturn and think they wanted to go 4 series back then

It is what it is... marketing, globalization and profit, FWD, shared platforms whatever it takes I hope BMW can maintain that special ingredient hopefully through ultra lightweight materials in spite of the toughening environmental laws and reduced emissions

We believe in you BMW don't let us down and tell us more about the V10 going into the next M5 and what's in store engine wise with the next M3

[m_alnimah]

What if it is a 2 Series Sedan and it would be like its sister the 2 Series Active Tourer?

[MrBeranek]

And I thought the F20 is ugly. Gee, this is much worse. Having FWD, what makes it a BMW anymore?

[Lucas S.]

Originally Posted by 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...

+ 1.000!!

[Leo_328i]

Originally Posted by ovekvam

Source:
http://www.bmw.com/com/en/insights/t...eel_drive.html

E92 LCI this was still proper policy.

This is pretty disappointing from BMW - if I was in the market for a company car now at this price point I wouldn't even consider the BMW as I don't even seen it as a BMW.

The new Audi A3 Sedan is one hot car though, looks great!

[Yay-Z]

These guys have lost focus man. No steering feel,fake engine sound,FWD and 4 cylinder engines only.

I must be getting old because I usually love change.

[Faust]

Am I the only one who thinks this looks great? Perfect proportions, almost like a new E46. If it doesn't get any radical front and rear design(such as in the rendering) but rather something nice such as a 2-Series fascia it will look great, compact and sporty.

FWD is a different story of course. We'll have to wait and see.

So, to my understanding as it stands we are getting:

New 1-Series hatch (3-door/5-door) FWD
New 1-Series sedan FWD
New 2-Series coupe FWD
New 2-Series Cabrio FWD
2-Series Active Tourer FWD
2-Series Gran Tourer FWD

Then there was talk for a Veloster type vehicle and of course the new X1/X2 FWD/AWD.
Is there a wagon/shooting brake on the cards too?

Quite excited that there will be a line-up of Z cars at last too. I think most people look forward to the new Z3 and Z5 being RWD. I would like to see an SL competitor too.

[E60MKF]

Originally Posted by 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...

Bmw were first with the SUV (SAC) coupe and now mercedes and Porsche have announced they will be releasing their own SUV coupes with other names who will follow too. BMW may not take the lead all the time but sometimes they do. I think most people on this forum forget that they aren't the target market for the new FWD cars. For every one forum member there are hundreds of other bmw drivers who want FWD or prospective bmw customers waiting for FWD. I know my wife would love her F20 to be FWD. Not that she knows the different other than FWD works in the snow like most customers...

If you want RWD then the 3 series (35up) and up will be for you so stop complaining! Bmw is a business and it's sole purpose is to please shareholders i.e. make more profit.

[Mr Kleen]

Surprised no one has mention this: 80 Percent Of BMW 1-Series Owners Think Their Car Is Front-Wheel Drive.
We're the enthusiast market living in an echo chamber, and we don't make BMW enough money for them to ignore the label conscious yuppy masses.
The party is over if you can't afford an M car.

[ovekvam]

Originally Posted by E60MKF

I think most people on this forum forget that they aren't the target market for the new FWD cars. For every one forum member there are hundreds of other bmw drivers who want FWD or prospective bmw customers waiting for FWD. I know my wife would love her F20 to be FWD. Not that she knows the different other than FWD works in the snow like most customers...

If you want RWD then the 3 series (35up) and up will be for you so stop complaining! Bmw is a business and it's sole purpose is to please shareholders i.e. make more profit.

But we are the target market for a small RWD BMW, and that is why we are complaining now! Many of us are not interested in big cars like the 3-series. Take a look at the sales figures for cars in Europe, and you will see that the top-10 cars are mostly the same size or smaller than the F20.

Driving in snow is my main reason for wanting RWD instead of FWD.

[Faust]

Originally Posted by E60MKF

Bmw is a business and it's sole purpose is to please shareholders i.e. make more profit.

A business must have soul and a core of values too. If you go only after profit you will soon go out of business.

[Advevo]

I just love small Rwd cars.

I will NEVER buy a FWD Bmw that s just a boring car. A to B cars you can buy at any corner of the street. Nice agile rwd cars with LSD and 300 plus hp are special.

I am building an E30 M3 group a rally car right now with a 300hp 4 cil screamer. I will keep my 1M and i buy me the last M2 RWD car. I think i be future proof if bmw does not bring any small rwd anymore. An other big plus is i don t have much depreciation anymore

[3s-a-charm]

Originally Posted by bimmerjph

Honestly I'd rather BMW stop making the M3 and instead make a small RWD sedan.

And I would much rather see BMW sacrifice the smaller cars to RWD so we see some awesome new developments from the M division and the higher end vehicles.

Like Scott26 said... The typical buyer of the smaller cars isn't too concerned about the FWD vs RWD but more the styling and cuteness (look at the success of Mini).

I'm not thrilled about FWD BMWs but am willing to sacrifice the smaller cars to FWD as I can't see myself buying any small BMW other than maybe a Z roadster one day... actually no - not even that small - I would go for a 6-series convertible instead.

[snipe]

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

That's an E46 in that video which makes that advertisement almost 20 years ago.

And since I drove the latest Mini Cooper S, I know it's still true.

My 130i was one of the greatest cars I ever had. And now you want me to drive a 3 cylinder FWD car? Think again.

[ovekvam]

There is a reason why most of those who buy small cars don't care so much if the car has a less ideal drive system. Because the cars are lightweight, they don't need so much power to be fun to drive. With FWD, they get even lighter and get less polar moment of inertia. That way they can be rather quick and fun to drive even without RWD. Everyone who has seen a tuned, original Mini in an autoX-course, knows what I mean.

But when there are no small RWD cars left in the market, why should we buy a BMW? The core values with the naturally aspirated straight six, limited slip differential and rear wheel drive are gone. And I think the FWD 1-series sedan will be too large and heavy to be fun to drive without RWD.

[E60MKF]

Originally Posted by ovekvam

But we are the target market for a small RWD BMW, and that is why we are complaining now! Many of us are not interested in big cars like the 3-series. Take a look at the sales figures for cars in Europe, and you will see that the top-10 cars are mostly the same size or smaller than the F20.

Driving in snow is my main reason for wanting RWD instead of FWD.

In the UK the F30 was the 10th most sold car in the country... It was the only RWD car on the list, there is a massive market for the new F20 if it becomes FWD and improves its appearance (I like the way it looks but most people don't). They will also increase interior space in the rear by moving to FWD another thing most people in that market care about. Very very few people care about RWD when buying a car in the F20 sector.

Source: http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/best-ca...ling-cars-2014

[ovekvam]

Originally Posted by E60MKF

Very very few people care about RWD when buying a car in the F20 sector.

But the F20/21 is the only hatchback in the market with RWD. That means that everybody who wants to buy that type of car, has to buy the BMW. I think there are quite a few of us in total. If they care more about cost or space or looks, they will buy something else anyway, like a Golf. How will BMW justify a premium selling price without the RWD?

[cs4444]

This with AWD would be a nice ride IMO, plus the US version most likely will be AWD only. People buying cars in the 20-35K range are more value driven over anything. So if they can get a nice driving awd bmw for that money, they could care less if the engine is transversely mounted.

Those wanting a fun RWD car the next 3 series, Z3, and Z5 will all be small RWD cars. Plus they will be considerably lighter than the current generation cars since they will have considerable amounts of CFRP, an aluminum in them. The next M3/4 will probably be 3200lb loaded with options. Im personally looking forward to the new Z cars, as according to scott the chassis will have CFRP tub as the center piece.

[wdeerfield]

Originally Posted by 3s-a-charm

Like Scott26 said... The typical buyer of the smaller cars isn't too concerned about the FWD vs RWD but more the styling and cuteness (look at the success of Mini). .

that was a joke right? mini sales are way down. buyers are over the mini idea.

[ovekvam]

Originally Posted by cs4444

Those wanting a fun RWD car the next 3 series, Z3, and Z5 will all be small RWD cars.

I have been in USA, and understand what you mean, but seen from my point of view, the F20 is already on the big side. The F30 is huge, and the next generation 3-series will surely be even larger.

[d0o0fy]

Surprised nobody posted this one yet: