RWD No Longer A Priority? BMW Flooding Lineup With Six FWD Models Over Next Three Years

The new UKL1 MINI platform is also used to underpin new models from the BMW brand. Because of cost cutting, the German premium brand will also use it as a front-wheel drive platform, signaling a revolution at the maker’s bottom line.

The Mini models are all ready to be refreshed over the next few years, and the gradual rollout is mirrored by the parent company at the namesake brand with new models. The UKL1 platform is used as a cost cutting measure, meaning that all models underpinned will be fwd, as opposed to the traditional rwd setting BMW uses.

 

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W208 - 9/2/2014 1:30:00 PM

+3 Boost

I'm lost on why it's always a 1 series used as the thread car when we all know at least one of two things: the 1 series is rwd and the 2 series active tourer is ugly as dog sh*t.

TheSteve - 9/2/2014 2:21:57 PM

+5 Boost

BMW is an interesting company. When I was researching my first BMW in the late 1990s, BMW marketing material waxed eloquent about the superiority of rear-wheel drive and normally aspirated engines. Today, BMW makes turbocharged front-wheel-drive cars, and doesn't apologize for it... mind you, their marketing stuff no longer sings the superiority of these previous designs.

As long as I have a choice (RWD or AWD), I'm okay with an auto maker making FWD cars. I just wouldn't choose a FWD car for myself, but that doesn't mean it's not a great car for someone else.

skytop - 9/2/2014 3:49:13 PM

+2 Boost

If BMW is already producing a little Mini, what does it need to also make Mini Me Too FWD cars? They are water down the brand, big time. Next they will be compared to Kias and Hyundais.

MattDarringer - 9/2/2014 8:28:14 PM

-2 Boost

Why all the drama? The VW GTI and the Jetta GLI have demostrated for decades that FWD and handling go together.

Granted, the Mini platform is a torque steering mess even in its newest generation, but I digress.

With any luck the BMWs will be GTI polished and not Mini darty and crude.

CarCrazedinCali - 9/2/2014 9:40:14 PM

0 Boost

I will certainly target each of your stupid posts about torque steer, it's not present in the all new generation. The GTI is a nice car but not as responsive as a MINI Hardtop. My customers and myself personally agree that the GTI is a great product but not as nimble or athletic as the MINIs and especially the 3rd gen Hardtops. GTIs are bland too! Nice try Matt! So laughable!

MattDarringer - 9/2/2014 10:08:56 PM

-2 Boost

Go to hell CarCrazedinCali because I have driven them back to back and your "spit" hasn't. The Mini is a torque steer nightmare. The GTI is torque steer free. Case closed.

CarCrazedinCali - 9/3/2014 2:47:20 PM

+1 Boost

You sound like the folks at Fox News, spitting your lies over and over so that the public believe the lies. Haha! You proved yourself to be what I thought you were... How overblown do you need to get? Your ego sounds real bruised, ouch! You make this site fun for me to counter your ignorance and bias.

iamdabest1 - 9/3/2014 12:32:43 AM

+1 Boost

why cant these people give me an awd m3-m4 dammit !! thats all i want :(

DTMFan - 9/3/2014 5:19:18 AM

+2 Boost

BMW Currently offers around 24 RWD and 26 AWD models, and 1 FWD model, given that a number of the UKL models will also be offered with xDrive, I really wouldn't class it as flooding, or shifting priorty.