World To End: BMW Working on FWD Car

[TheCracker]

Mercedes have been making FWD hatchbacks since 1997. It's never done their image any harm. A majority of BMW owners don't care about 'driving dynamics' as they'll never push their cars beyond 5/10ths anyway. If this vehicle doesn't stack up against the best in the crowded FWD hatch segment (and there's no reason why it won't as their Mini is already up there), then it will still sell in droves because most consumers value the BMW badge over the perceived BMW handling prowess.

 

[sparkytooth]

Mercedes have been making FWD hatchbacks since 1997. It's never done their image any harm. A majority of BMW owners don't care about 'driving dynamics' as they'll never push their cars beyond 5/10ths anyway. If this vehicle doesn't stack up against the best in the crowded FWD hatch segment (and there's no reason why it won't as their Mini is already up there), then it will still sell in droves because most consumers value the BMW badge over the perceived BMW handling prowess.

I don't recall Mercedes doing this

 

[TheCracker]

Doesn't mean market forces can't change their mind.

 

[sparkytooth]

Doesn't mean market forces can't change their mind.

I know, but what people are laughing about is the fact that BMW pretty much swore that they'd never use FWD, and now they're doing it.

 

[TheCracker]

They kind of already had done with the Mini. They'll be producing M-cars that aren't naturally-aspirated next!

 

[sparkytooth]

They kind of already had done with the Mini. They'll be producing M-cars that aren't naturally-aspirated next!

The Horror.

 

[Youngun]

They kind of already had done with the Mini. They'll be producing M-cars that aren't naturally-aspirated next!

What about more than one turbo, how about three. unspeakable for an M

 

[MatskiMonk]

Well the 2 series Active Tourer is here

more pics at www.bmwblog.com

So,

To begin with, it comes in the following flavours:-

218i (3 cyl engine) 1.5l 136hp
225i 2.0l 231hp
218d 2.0l 150hp

and will also arrive as 220i, 220d, 216d. xDrive AWD to arrive on Petrol and Diesel models this year too.

.. there will be an M-sport model.

.. the 225i is also pretty much faster (in a straightline at least) than my E36 328i Sport, or my E24 635CSi was... progress I guess

 

[Azure Flare]

The C-Max for badge snobs.

 

[MatskiMonk]

The C-Max for badge snobs.

Mercedes B Class competition, simple as that. BMW wants a piece of that pie.

 

[homeforsummer]

Well it's certainly as ungainly as the B-Class. Should drive better though, the B-Class is among the worst new cars I've ever driven.

 

[MatskiMonk]

Well it's certainly as ungainly as the B-Class. Should drive better though, the B-Class is among the worst new cars I've ever driven.

Have you driven/will you be driving the new Mini? I guess it's a better barometer of BMW's ability to build well sorted FWD cars than the previous generations of Mini.

 

[sparkytooth]

.. there will be an M-sport model.

 

[homeforsummer]

Have you driven/will you be driving the new Mini? I guess it's a better barometer of BMW's ability to build well sorted FWD cars than the previous generations of Mini.

Haven't driven one yet, but should get a go around May.

 

[RocZX]

2-Series Gran Tourer (GT).
It's a longer, more practical and roomier Active Tourer.
It's 214mm (8.4 inches) longer and 53mm (2.1 inches) higher than the existing 2-Series Active Tourer upon which it is based It has seating for up to 7 passengers

 

[Grandea GTR]

2-Series Gran Tourer (GT).
It's a longer, more practical and roomier Active Tourer.
It's 214mm (8.4 inches) longer and 53mm (2.1 inches) higher than the existing 2-Series Active Tourer upon which it is based It has seating for up to 7 passengers

Would this be, in a way, BMW's first "minivan"?

 

[MatskiMonk]

Certainly not a looker. As a BMW enthusiast this still doesn't offend me that much, but I'm really struggling to like the way the front and is so low at the centre, with the headlamps being stretched so far up at the sides.

 

[Legro]

I don't know if it's because it's a BMW, but I have a weird desire to see that thing going sideways on a frozen lake.

 

[JR98]

Not a bad idea , although kinda against what BMW's are, I don't recall a single BMW branded car (Except SUV) that wasn't rear wheel drive

 

[mustafur]

Not a bad idea , although kinda against what BMW's are, I don't recall a single BMW branded car (Except SUV) that wasn't rear wheel drive

Basically every series as of current has an AWD version.

 

[JR98]

Basically every series as of current has an AWD version.

By except SUV I meant not the X-Series

 

[mustafur]

By except SUV I meant not the X-Series

But the 1, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 Have AWD versions

And the I8 is AWD.

 

[JR98]

But the 1, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 Have AWD versions

And the I8 is AWD.

Ok, MOST BMW's are RWD

 

[MatskiMonk]

Not a bad idea , although kinda against what BMW's are, I don't recall a single BMW branded car (Except SUV) that wasn't rear wheel drive

xDrive versions of the 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 are pretty common these days. xDrive was outselling Quattro a while ago, and BMW have been offering mainstream AWD models since the E30 325iX in 1985.

You can now buy RWD BMW SAVs too.

 

[Omnis]

2-Series Gran Tourer (GT).
It's a longer, more practical and roomier Active Tourer.
It's 214mm (8.4 inches) longer and 53mm (2.1 inches) higher than the existing 2-Series Active Tourer upon which it is based It has seating for up to 7 passengers

That's pretty dope. I would strongly consider one of those if I had a family, for sure. Passenger room would have to be outstanding though. Otherwise, why not get a wagon?

 

[D.Kadettdriver]

This doesn't look very comfortable...

 

[homeforsummer]

Certainly not a looker. As a BMW enthusiast this still doesn't offend me that much, but I'm really struggling to like the way the front and is so low at the centre, with the headlamps being stretched so far up at the sides.

It sort of reminds me of the way a cat looks when it's squeezing through a gap much too small for it.

 

[MatskiMonk]

This doesn't look very comfortable...

Very much for kids rather than 6 foot Germans, but to investigate @Omnis query regarding the wagon...

Rear seat in a 3-er Tourer allows for 973mm vertical (headroom), and 1460mm shoulder room
Rear seat in a 2-er Gran Tourer allows for 1003mm vertical (headroom), and 1471mm shoulder room -- and the 2nd row slides forward and backward.
3rd Row in a 2-er Gran Tourer allows for 900mm vertical (headroom), and 1190mm shoulder room.

So the 2GT is a little bigger, and has the option for another two little ones... rear seat accommodates 3 child seats too, so you might not even need the optional 3rd row. As a 5 seater the 2GT offers 645 litres of boot space, vs. 495 for the 3-er Touring - so a usefully bigger boot too, bigger than an X3, and on par with an X5.

It sort of reminds me of the way a cat looks when it's squeezing through a gap much too small for it.

What has been seen....

 

[niky]

Dear BMW, as you have not responded to our letter of over a year ago:

Dear BMW:

You'll be hearing from our lawyers.

Sincerely,
Kia

In light of current developments, and your continued blatant disregard of our copyright, we have no choice but to take you to court.

Also, who wore it better:

Yay for Korean design houses run by European designers!

Also, that third row is absolutely terrible. I didn't think they could make anything less comfortable than the wretched third row in the X5, but they did it. There are third world microvans with third rows better than that.

 

[homeforsummer]

In fairness, the rearmost seats in the Kia are also about that tiny. So they really have copied it...