Is A Front-Wheel-Drive BMW A Bad Thing?

For many of the brand’s faithful, a front-driver BMW is a revolting prospect. It’s the four-wheeled equivalent of tofu-based bacon or a cigarette without nicotine. But BMW is banking on small cars in a big way – their new front drive architecture, dubbed UKL, will underpin as many as 12 front-drive products from BMW and Mini. And frankly, not doing a front-drive range would be a display of poor judgement on the part of management.

Lest anyone accuse me of apostasy, let’s look at the facts. Mercedes-Benz did a front-drive platform and survived. Audi is making some of the most significant advancements in modern automobile production with the new A3 which uses – you guessed it – the front-drive MQB platform. Both of these auto makers have BMW squarely in the sights. They want to overtake BMW as the number one premium auto maker, and they can easily do it – unless BMW builds a front-drive car of their own.



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t_bone - 11/23/2012 12:27:32 PM

+3 Boost

The MINI is one of the best FWD cars I've driven. But I don't understand why they need one with a BMW badge.

dayday - 11/23/2012 7:07:30 PM

+1 Boost

Because BMW spend the money and time to develop MINI's front wheel drive platform, and If they don't also use it on some of the BMW models, it is unwise in a Business point of view.

Nostradamus - 11/23/2012 11:07:37 PM

+1 Boost

Yes... They already have the Mini (lineup), so there's really no need for a BMW badged FWD car.

BMW is seriously risking its reputation by adding all these needless/redundant models.

cidflekken - 11/24/2012 1:12:23 PM

+3 Boost

There's a big difference between what a buyer wants and what a buyer knows they are buying. The fact is, those 80% 1-Series buyers are buying the brand name, not the car. They have no idea what they're getting besides the BMW logo, air conditioning, a steering wheel, a stereo, a sunroof, and leather seats. I cannot tell you how many times I've spoken to people, mostly women (not trying to be sexist) and ask them about their cars and they have no clue.

vdiv - 11/26/2012 10:46:34 AM

+1 Boost

"We only make one thing, the ultimate driving machine"

Well not anymore.

SlenderSpy16 - 11/25/2012 8:57:27 PM

+1 Boost

Mini does the job just fine.