80% Of Customers Who Bought A BMW 1-Series Didn't Know It Was RWD. Does It REALLY MATTER Which End Drives?

In the future, Mr. Robertson says, what makes a "premium" car will be equated with technology. "The number of cylinders will not be irrelevant," he says. "But we are moving toward that."

To survive in this new world, he says, BMW must build more small models without breaking the bank. Purists won't like it, but that means sharing the front-wheel-drive systems of future Mini models with future subcompact BMW models.

Auto enthusiasts—including many automotive designers and engineering executives, as well as wealthy car buyers—generally prefer cars to have the driving wheels in the back. It makes a difference in the way a car handles and steers. That difference is instantly recognizable but hard to define.

Rear-wheel drive may not even be that important for some of BMW's new customers. BMW had a survey that found 80% of the customers for the BMW compact 1 series, which in Europe is sold mainly with four-cylinder engines, didn't know it was a rear-wheel drive car.







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dlin - 3/28/2010 9:45:26 PM

-2 Boost

What sxxxxd question is that? Are you assume BMW driver is always right? Do you think Ferrari or Porsche will make a FWD?

America - 3/29/2010 4:54:01 AM

+4 Boost

I don't know what you are trying to say dlin but the likely details about this car were covered a couple of articles ago:

"The 1-series hydrogen hybrid concept is powered by a 120hp 4 cylinder gas engine, hydrogen fuel, cell, electric motor, FWD and RWD!. The car operates on FWD on longer trips and RWD on shorter trips (RWD powered by electric motor). The fuel cell converts hydrogen and oxygen into electricity, which recharges the batteries. The energy generated from braking will also be converted to electricity and stored for use.

The hydrogen fuel cell and electric motor will power the hydrogen 1-series in local city driving and the 4-cylinder gas engine will provide assistance for longer trips."


IT IS STILL REAR WHEEL DRIVE.

dlin - 3/29/2010 3:29:02 PM

-2 Boost

For now..... and don't count on it.

America - 3/29/2010 4:55:00 AM

+2 Boost

umm...troll anyone? ^^^^

WorldofLuxury - 3/28/2010 11:15:56 PM

+1 Boost

Trying to redeem yourself after the comments from the last post? (;

Bimmer3er - 3/28/2010 11:49:28 PM

-2 Boost

The essence and ultimate experience in BMW is primarily because of the driving dynamics of RWD platforms..not to sound chauvinistic - 1-series is more like a chick-car and they are obviously not driven most of the time as it supposed to have been.. just for the sole reason that BMW could save money by sharing platforms with mini - they come up with this random survey with may be some aforementioned "drivers" (which might probably the target drivers of this new platform - Mini too).. and anywhoo dont think BMW will ever move their mainstream automobiles into FWD .. so as true enthusiasts we dont have anything to worry about!

BMW4me4ever - 3/29/2010 11:19:39 AM

-2 Boost

I would say the 128 is more of a chick car, whereas I drive a 135 coupe and love my car. Which 80% were they asking about? love surveys like this. lol

KZ258 - 3/29/2010 3:46:28 AM

+4 Boost

LOL

PUGPROUD - 3/29/2010 5:50:29 AM

+2 Boost

When the majority of your customers do not know the difference between their elbow and their ***hole it cannot be good in the long run!

freeagent - 3/29/2010 7:29:33 AM

+2 Boost

If BMW needs to make a FWD car, well I can live with that, but keep the 1-series a proper RWD BMW.