Quote :

"BMW is set to introduce a new front-wheel-drive entry-level model, positioned and priced beneath the existing 1-series and using shared Mini hardware, according to the firm's chairman Norbert Reithofe. The new model is being developed as part of plans to help increase parts sharing and bolster the potential for production savings between the BMW and Mini brands, thus bringing an end to the era of rear and four-wheel drive-only BMW models. Speaking to Autocar at the last week's Geneva motor show, Reithofer said internal BMW studies revealed that, despite the downturn in the world’s economy, there is continued demand for what he described as "premium vehicles" in the small car class. He then officially acknowledged plans that will see BMW producing a rival to the recently unveiled Audi A1 and a new Smart Forfour presently under development at rival Mercedes-Benz. "We will be extending the BMW and Mini brands into the small car segment with new models and variants," said Reithofer. Being careful to separate the new price-leading front-wheel-drive model from BMW's upcoming city car - a totally different project as part of its Mega City Vehicle electric car initiative - Reithofer added, "For these new vehicles [the new BMW and Mini] we are developing a common architecture for both front and four-wheel drive." While exact details remain shrouded in secrecy, Autocar can confirm the new entry-level BMW has been conceived to run the same front-wheel-drive underpinnings as the next-generation Mini Cooper. The new Mini Cooper is not due out until 2014, but the small BMW could be on UK roads as early as 2013 as part of a major thrust by the company to become the undisputed sales leader in the premium small car class. Plans to base the new entry-level BMW on the same platform as the Mini Cooper also raise the question of where the new car would be built. Although BMW is being vague, Autocar understands the new car could be built alongside the Mini Cooper in Oxford, using a new generation of petrol and diesel engines sourced from BMW's engine plant in Hams Hall. Studies are also under way that could result in the new platform structure referred to by Reithofer being used for future generations of the 1-series - although BMW is still undecided on whether the third-generation model, due in 2018, will be front-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive. "We are looking at alternatives," a Munich insider told Autocar. "With the new platform set to support four-wheel drive, it wouldn't be that hard to use the transmission tunnel for a rear-wheel-drive application.""

Awesome. More confirmation that they're losing their way (Ultimate Driving Machine).

http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/AllCars/248023/

3/16/2010 1:25:06 PM

How does FWD change any of that? I haven't read anything else about the car but just because its FWD doesn't mean BMW has lost its way.

3/16/2010 1:39:27 PM

BOOO FWD BMW.

3/16/2010 1:44:02 PM

^^are you kidding?


I hope it flops and is an embarassing disaster.

3/16/2010 1:49:16 PM

^No. Just because YOU turn your nose up at FWD doesn't mean it sucks. Look at the Integra Type R. Thats a FWD car thats still fun to drive on the road. YOU might not like it because you can't power slide in it but thats not the only thing that makes a car fun to drive.

I distinctly remember Ahmet's comments on the Type R on track and how neutral and well balanced it was that it didn't feel like it was FWD.

[Edited on March 16, 2010 at 1:55 PM. Reason : .]

3/16/2010 1:53:31 PM

All the girls at Wakefield High are going to want this car.

3/16/2010 1:54:58 PM

^^doesn't change the fact that steering feel in a FWD car is piss compared to a RWD car. And that any FWD car with more than 250hp and the same in torque has nasty torque steer.

3/16/2010 2:13:05 PM

it's just a FWD shitbox [with leather]. every manufacturer has one, why can't bmw? they already have the CR-V X3 in the "crappy entry level" category

[Edited on March 16, 2010 at 2:15 PM. Reason : .]

3/16/2010 2:14:56 PM

Quote :

"^^doesn't change the fact that steering feel in a FWD car is piss compared to a RWD car. And that any FWD car with more than 250hp and the same in torque has nasty torque steer."

when you are driving it balls to the wall sure...but then a lot of cars have this piss poor feeling regardless of drivetrain. Not all BMWs are meant to be track monsters.

3/16/2010 2:24:36 PM

BMW, The Ultimate Driving Machine*









*except for our shitbox FWD base model, that's just for brand whores.

[Edited on March 16, 2010 at 3:01 PM. Reason : n]

3/16/2010 3:00:29 PM

that's fine that the Type R is balanced on track. it's not bavarian bread, coming from the same manufacturer that has a heritage or motoring blah blah etc...if this is made i may even start to use the phrase:

BMWMSJ


edit:



[Edited on March 16, 2010 at 3:01 PM. Reason : had to make fun of myself]

3/16/2010 3:00:35 PM

Quote :

"BMW, The Ultimate Driving Machine* *except for our shitbox FWD base model, that's just for brand whores."

BMW owners are the definition of brand whores. lol

Quote :

"it's not bavarian bread, coming from the same manufacturer that has a heritage or motoring blah blah etc...if this is made i may even start to use the phrase:"

considering BMW is a master at creating well balanced machines I'm sure they'll have no problems achieving what Honda has with the Type R.

[Edited on March 16, 2010 at 3:13 PM. Reason : .]

3/16/2010 3:09:51 PM

It's one thing when its a 200hp 2600lb car. You're all along in this argument



If they follow through on this, BMWMSJ

3/16/2010 3:30:39 PM

BMW M Bike Revealed

Quote :

"BMW's M division has developed a new speed bicycle for more serious cycling enthusiasts. The BMW M Bike will be produced in a limited edition, and will be sold both online and through certain BMW dealerships. The 12.9 kg (28.4 lb) bike will be sold in three different frame heights. It is construced out of aluminum, and features the Match front suspension fork from Manitou. The springs used in the suspension have an 80-millimeter deflection. Engineers installed a fi'zi:k leather saddle with a red insert. Other features include disc brakes, and a Shimano SLX component group/gear system with a high gear ratio to optimize speed. The BMW M Bike will be available from June."

Hi res: http://img.worldcarfans.com/2010/3/large/906415854.jpg

3/16/2010 5:03:08 PM

There is very little that is special about that bike

3/16/2010 5:06:51 PM

correct me if i'm wrong, but isn't the integra type-r the lone exception to the FWD is crap rule?

it's not like car companies haven't been trying to make something with similar characteristics...

pretty sure you're alone on this one golovko.

3/16/2010 5:11:21 PM

Quote :

"correct me if i'm wrong, but isn't the integra type-r the lone exception to the FWD is crap rule? "

It's not a rule if someone has done it right...who is to say BMW cannot achieve the same/similar results?

I mean, as much as I want to be like "OMFG Ford/Chevy/[insert domestic auto maker] announced another car, its CRAP!" for every single car they will ever make...its still retarded because they might actually make a decent car one day.

3/16/2010 5:28:41 PM

Quote :

"No. Just because YOU turn your nose up at FWD doesn't mean it sucks."

No. I turn up my nose at it BECAUSE it sucks.

Quote :

"correct me if i'm wrong, but isn't the integra type-r the lone exception to the FWD is crap rule? "

FWD is crap in the ITR, too. It just manages to work around that Achilles' heel and not totally suck, DESPITE being fwd. FWD is bad, period, end of story. It's like saying that being noseheavy like a mad dog is good, because the Evo is a great handling car...or saying that sports cars should be made extremely heavy...I mean, look at the GT-R.

[Edited on March 16, 2010 at 6:01 PM. Reason : ^ they do...the 'Vette, CTS-V, and Viper ACR are killers.]

[Edited on March 16, 2010 at 6:01 PM. Reason : ]

3/16/2010 6:00:46 PM

Quote :

"^ they do...the 'Vette, CTS-V, and Viper ACR are killers."

lol. CTS-V aside, have you been in any of these cars? I have because I've ridden in a Cavalier.

Quote :

"FWD is crap in the ITR, too. It just manages to work around that Achilles' heel and not totally suck, DESPITE being fwd."

so obviously there is a car out there that is FWD that isn't BAD. What gives, I thought FWD was bad PERIOD?

I can understand if your opinion on FWD sucks is because your driving sucks since you can't adjust your driving style accordingly between FWD, RWD, AWD. Every car is different and you can be a fast driver in anything.

But if your idea of being a good fast driver is stomping on the throttle and letting the back end slide out...we will have to agree to disagree.

[Edited on March 16, 2010 at 6:26 PM. Reason : .]

3/16/2010 6:22:28 PM

that's not how to drive a RWD car, either.

Look, FWD is bad. That's all there is to it. It's not opinion or personal preference--it's physics. I'm saying that the ITR is a pretty uncompromising car that, by all accounts, handles well despite being handicapped by the drivetrain configuration. In other words, it could've been better had it not been FWD.


and yeah, I've driven a C6 Z51 and ridden in a C6 Z06. No, they don't have opulent interiors, but they're great cars.


[Edited on March 16, 2010 at 6:45 PM. Reason : there isn't even any argument here. You might as well argue that 2+2=13.]

3/16/2010 6:42:15 PM

Quote :

"Look, FWD is bad. That's all there is to it. It's not opinion or personal preference--it's physics. I'm saying that the ITR is a pretty uncompromising car that, by all accounts, handles well despite being handicapped by the drivetrain configuration. In other words, it could've been better had it not been FWD."

Like I said before, you are turning your nose up at FWD because its not a great track drivetrain. However, for all intensive purposes on the road there is nothing wrong with FWD. When it snows out in NC which drivetrain would you rather the 'lil lady' drive: RWD or FWD? (AWD isn't an option here)

Last I checked not every BMW ever made is a track monster. There is nothing wrong with introducing a FWD BMW...just you personally don't go buy one.

Now if BMW abandoned RWD or made their M cars FWD...then there would be something to be up in arms about.

3/16/2010 6:57:13 PM

for day-to-day driving, what this car is intended for, there is certainly nothing wrong with fwd

3/16/2010 6:57:53 PM

^exactly.

3/16/2010 6:58:09 PM

3/16/2010 7:07:03 PM

X3 and X5 are hardly 'ultimate driving machines'

3/16/2010 7:13:33 PM

I hate them, too.

3/16/2010 7:16:17 PM

Quote :

"for all intensive purposes"

lol

3/16/2010 8:20:49 PM

bmwmsj

3/16/2010 8:24:05 PM

Eh so what, Aston Martin is selling a Toyota. Not that BMW is on par with Aston Martin. Car companies are retarded.

3/16/2010 9:32:19 PM

Quote :

"just because its FWD doesn't mean BMW has lost its way."

fwd or not.. if you've been involved in the actual manufacturing of these cars at all you know it's very true. they're cheapening them down worse than fucking GM

3/16/2010 9:35:29 PM

Quote :

"ALL INTENSIVE PURPOSES"

3/16/2010 10:30:12 PM

Quote :

" ultimate driving machines "

3/16/2010 10:58:53 PM

Quote :

"ultimate daddy's girl machine"

3/16/2010 11:24:45 PM

Quote :

"body massage machine"

GO!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ww3GTNv9hHk

3/17/2010 12:32:02 AM

Quote :

" SUSPEND FOR POSTING VIDEO"

3/17/2010 12:53:23 AM

God is dead.

3/17/2010 12:54:32 AM

Quote :

"X3 and X5 are hardly 'ultimate driving machines'"

I have driven the X5 4.8is (360 hp) and the X6 XDrive50i (400 hp), and my God, they truly are UDMs... and I drove them on a track, no less!

I guess they are second only to the Cayenne in terms of handling.

And the new 555 hp X5M and X6M might even be Cayenne Turbo S killers in terms of handling.

*************************************************************************

The point here is that BMW's models are UDMs in their respective classes. (that's what BMW implies)

So, the new entry level FWD BMW would be the UDM with respect to cars it will compete with.

3/17/2010 6:58:55 PM

^ Yeah, I wouldn't disagree with that. I just think that crossover SUVs are pointless and gay. I see no reason why companies like BMW and Porsche should even make them, or why anyone would want a crossover SUV that...sucks less than other stuff in its class (i.e., I would think that people in the crossover market shouldn't really be caring what it drives like. if they do, they ought to just get a car).

3/17/2010 7:09:33 PM

Quote :

" isnt even any argument "

3/17/2010 8:34:42 PM

^^^exactly. By most people in heres logic, the X3 and X5 are not UDMs. But in reality they are great cars in their class (X5 at least)

3/17/2010 8:36:33 PM

I think the success of mini should tell us that fwd bmw might not be so bad...depending on who is the audience. Certainly should not be a sports car and BMW is not retarded to do that anyway.

3/20/2010 7:58:45 PM

Quote :

"I just think that crossover SUVs are pointless and gay. I see no reason why companies like BMW and Porsche should even make them"

they make them because idiots will buy them. they'd be stupid to not fill that demand.

3/20/2010 8:28:33 PM

^ Exactly. The reason they make them is because there is a market for them. Why on earth wouldn't they try and make the money that is there for that

3/20/2010 8:41:48 PM

Quote :

"The 12.9 kg (28.4 lb) bike will be sold in three different frame heights."

That's a heavy freakin bike. Cut it in half and it'd be special then...

3/20/2010 10:10:11 PM

I'd hate to own an X5.
Everyone knows that any vehicle you use to tow your boat, travel, or haul the kids around is supposed to be overweight with piss poor handling, a terrible interior, and boring styling.
Fucking BMW needs to be put in their place.
Porsche too.

3/22/2010 10:43:28 AM

Do I have to address that again?

3/22/2010 10:44:39 AM

I'd honestly rather you didn't.
I could have gone without hearing the physics of FWD again too.

3/22/2010 10:58:24 AM

28.x is heavy for a high end mountain bike but 14.x is unrealistic, at any consumer price. I'm looking at a Superfly (full carbon), that barely makes it under 25lbs and costs well over $4k... My fully custom 26 incher (19inch frame) is around 22lbs, and it wasn't cheap. Sure one can be built lighter or cheaper, but not one that you'd want to ride.

ANYWAY, at least Porsche seems to be making the Cayenne several hundred pounds lighter each generation. On another note, I drove a Toureg V10 TT last week, it launches SO hard. It'll spin all 4 wheels with 3 people in it, and wasn't terrible to drive either. If I had to tow something, I definitely would prefer something like that over a Tahoe or something...

3/22/2010 11:09:34 AM

Well sure...I'd rather have a 458 Italia than a Camry, too.

3/22/2010 2:44:37 PM

^^ Actually, I was thinking it was a road bike, not a mountain bike. I should have paid more attention to the fact it wasn't a rigid. I don't know why I thought it was a road bike only... My mistake.

[Edited on March 22, 2010 at 2:49 PM. Reason : .]

3/22/2010 2:48:44 PM