Insider Reveals A Brave New World For BMW And Its Front-Wheel Drive Future

Although in the world of journalism, speculation is usually frowned upon, you have to put the pieces together when they fit. Or at least sort of fit.

When a respected source for BMW information comes forward and discusses an element of the brand that has left everyone in the dark speaks, you should probably listen. Which is what we're doing here.

Not only is this information telling of what the brand is currently planning but it provides some decent insight into what **may** be up BMW's sleeve in the near-term.

Is anyone else finding that the dontblogaboutthis.com situation may have a relationship with this "1001" vehicle?

Scott26 says:


It is possibly the most irregular concept that strikes fear into BMW enthusiasts everywhere.

In marketing BMW has always kept the BMW image strong by 3 core principles. Image , Dynamics and Rear Wheel Drive.

Now with the revelation that BMW have indeed drawn up plans to introduce a Front Wheel Drive car the reactions get louder and increase the debate and the fear.

First of all contrary to media reports and enthusiasts of the BMW brand , Front Wheel Drive is part of a strategy to help the next generation MINI and it's future variants to become more profitable and more cost effective for BMW to produce.
Initial strategies had lead to talks with PSA , Fiat and of course Daimler where the beginnings of a proposed MINI and Smart sharing programme disintegrated when BMW decided to go it alone.

The online enthusiast board reaction has been to overwhelm the negatives of the BMW philosophy but some overlook one very important ideal - BMW already do Front Wheel Drive and do it well , a car that has seen off new impressive competition such as the Fiat 500 and Audi A1 when it comes to make a Front Wheel drive car that handles , has a great image and offers the customer a perfect choice of flexibility. It is called the MINI...

**For the full story, click "Read Article"








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u080570 - 9/8/2010 7:48:41 AM

-2 Boost

Most BMW drivers dont know/care what wheels drive their car -- they are all about the badge...

America - 9/8/2010 2:38:14 PM

+4 Boost

Troll.

pepito66 - 9/8/2010 8:02:01 AM

+7 Boost

This is not true for me when you talking about BMW brands and his owners , most of them really know what they buy and what for. They really know the engines they choose and options because they have to select a lots of options when they are into this process. Also is well know the sport ability,dymanic, handling of the car because of the perfect balance of it and the RWD with DSC features.

monster - 9/8/2010 8:23:21 AM

-4 Boost

Sorry to bust your bubble but this is not true. Only a small percentage of people know exactly what their car has.

http://www.motorauthority.com/blog/1043671_80-percent-of-bmw-1-series-owners-think-their-car-is-front-wheel-drive

America - 9/8/2010 2:36:22 PM

+5 Boost

Monster, read your own statistic; it European 1 Series owners that tended not to know, which makes perfect sense since in Europe the 1 Series can be had with smaller engines and lower content levels pitting it squarely against lower brands. The bottom line from your own article is that the most entry level BMW in Europe brought over new people from other brands and some of them aren't aware of the mechanics that makes their car handle so good.

So What. Next.

Terry989 - 9/8/2010 7:13:04 PM

+1 Boost

Sorry Pepito66, but I disagree on some of your points. Most people really do buy what's on the lot, which tends to be heavily optioned cars - - - with the options chosen for you by the dealer, and very profitable for the dealer. So most buyers don't spend a lot of time looking over options and deciding what they want, they want a car now an will choose the best that is available on the lot. This is not just true for BMW, but for many manufactures as well.

PUGPROUD - 9/8/2010 8:11:37 AM

-5 Boost

For many it is the brand's prestige not its drive train. For the enthusiasts however front wheel drive will not cut it...only rear wheel drive or four wheel drive will do.

cs4444 - 9/8/2010 12:26:41 PM

+8 Boost

For a true driving enthusiast AWD wont even due. Don't worry BMW's core lineup will remain Rwd. BMW is using the fwd on their megacity vehicle b/c it is the most fuel efficient solution.

Yonder7 - 9/8/2010 8:19:21 AM

+1 Boost

pepito66: Sorry man but in my expirience I agree with u080570, but do not feel bad. This happens with Mercedes Benz, Audi and Jaguar too. People like or the fans of Autospies will know what they are buying, but most of the buyers are badge worshipers.

Now the question is : Will BMW succed where almost everybody already fail?

94geo - 9/8/2010 12:35:43 PM

+7 Boost

As long as they keep producing class leading sports sedans/coupes like the m3 and m5. And continue to make world class engines. I dont mind some Fwd city cars.

911gt2 - 9/8/2010 12:50:09 PM

+4 Boost

BMW plans to sell the mega city cars in relatively limited numbers (less then 40K of them world wide per year)because they are expensive to make...being made from carbon fiber. Where as well over half of all audis world wide are fwd..

thstone - 9/8/2010 2:42:25 PM

+6 Boost

I think that people are confusing two distinct entities - BMW cars as we know then now (1,3,5,7,X,M, etc) will remain RWD/AWD. The newer city cars and Mini will be FWD. I don't see a problem.

dlin - 9/8/2010 7:05:25 PM

-4 Boost

So BMW is to compete w/ Honda for best FWD? Good luck.

carE10 - 9/8/2010 8:55:28 PM

+6 Boost

No, that's Audis job well over half their cars sold are FWD