BMW Planning To Release FWD Offensive With 12 New Models

BMW has developed a new front-wheel-drive vehicle platform that could yield as many as 12 new models for the brand, Edmunds has learned.

The first of the family, the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer compact hatchback, debuted at the 2014 Geneva Auto Show and will appear in European showrooms in September.

"The status of the 2 Series Active Tourer for the U.S is still under review, so nothing has been confirmed at this point," David Buchko, a spokesman for BMW of North America, wrote in response to a query.

Read Article

MattDarringer - 7/24/2014 4:13:25 PM

+3 Boost

These FWD BMWs will come to the USA and they will sell like mad.

gkearns56 - 7/24/2014 5:27:06 PM

+4 Boost

Yes they will but the "purist" will not like this.

MattDarringer - 7/24/2014 7:30:18 PM

+5 Boost

Purists can eat turds and die. Mercedes has shown that FWD can be premium. BMW will do the same.

quizz - 7/27/2014 2:05:02 AM

+1 Boost

Actually, the number one complaint about the CLA is that it's not premium feeling inside at all. Purely for the badge, absolutely nothing premium about it. Yes, looks good on the outside, but a sadly low grade interior on the inside - seriously, NOT premium. The A3 has it right, MUCH MUCH better interior.

skytop - 7/24/2014 9:36:58 PM

+2 Boost

American miss their station wagons. Giddy up!

DTMFan - 7/25/2014 7:05:45 AM

+2 Boost

I've not got too much of a problem with BMW offering FWD variants. But, I think it's a mistake to move existing models from RWD to FWD (ie. the 1 series sports hatch for instance), and if they do make a sub 3 series saloon car, I think it would be a real shame if they made it FWD. A compact RWD saloon has been a mainstay of BMW since the post-war era vehicles and bubble cars.

MattDarringer - 7/25/2014 9:18:12 PM

+1 Boost

@DTMFan get over it! It's about to happen. FWD does not = bad handling.

GermanNut - 7/25/2014 11:08:42 AM

+1 Boost

The FWD market is where Audi is going to really have an advantage over BMW and Mercedes-Benz. Audi has a long tradition of building compact FWD vehicles and the A3 Sedan is just one example of how Audi was able to better execute a FWD platform for a compact car when compared to Mercedes-Benz and its CLA.

As the race for global sales leadership continues to heat up, Audi's expertise in FWD platforms will be a huge reason for why it overtakes BMW in global sales.

bnilhome - 7/25/2014 11:05:55 PM

0 Boost

It will be fun to watch all those BMW fans who have bashed Toyota and Honda in the past for focusing on FWD to now suddenly think this is the greatest thing ever. Is BMW admitting that those who have focused on FWD in the US market were onto something?

enthusiastx11 - 7/28/2014 1:29:27 PM

+1 Boost

what bmw is 'on to' is government policy. CAFE standards are going up dramatically and no independent premium maker can remain rear wheel drive and performance oriented. they couldn't survive. so in order to stay in existence, they are launching entire lines of FWD fuel efficient cars. this isn't rocket science here.

quizz - 7/27/2014 2:07:27 AM

+1 Boost

Ironic that German fanboys have been criticizing Acura models for not being sporty due to FWD - especially the RL. It's just a matter of time before the 5 series and E series are FWD. Just wait and see.

enthusiastx11 - 7/28/2014 1:30:16 PM

+1 Boost

see above.

leej - 7/28/2014 1:43:12 PM

+1 Boost

So now the Germans are finally copying the Asians. Berry Interestink....

enthusiastx11 - 7/29/2014 4:47:07 PM

+1 Boost

see above. i didn't realize the asians invented cars---or front wheel drive.