Head of Development at BMW Klaus Draeger has cleared up some questions around the new N37 3 Cylinder engines for Autocar. Yes they are bound for the UKL platform which includes the front wheel drive 1 Series and the F56 MINI. However BMW will not be producing a variant suitable for a rear-wheel drivetrain any time soon. That even means we won’t see the N37 on the rear wheel drive 1 Series either.

The powerplant, to be produced along-side the current Prince family of four cylinders at Hams Hall in the UK, will achieve the magical 95g/km of CO2 emissions that is so essential for the EU market. Additionally the engine should match the 54bhp-per cylinder rating of the recently introduced N20 2.0 liter four cylinder. That should mean a power output up to 160 bhp or around 155 hp.

You can imagine this 1.5L engine spanning outputs ranging from 90 hp to the current Cooper output of 120 hp. But what of the Cooper S? Will it use the3 cylinder and drop it’s output to around 160 bhp from 180? Unless there’s a bit weight reduction we can’t imagine that would be the case. Instead we’d expect the 1.6L four cylinder to remain in active service as the Cooper S and JCW engine for the F56.

What this means for the various front wheel drive BMW models remains a mystery.

The spies have recently caught the prototype for BMW’s future front-wheel drive offering with their lens’. While the car is heavily clad in typical BMW fashion there are a few things that are noticeable- the wheel base is short by modern BMW terms, the front and rear overhangs are small and the windshield is raked back for efficiency purposes. With future MINI offerings coming from the same underpinning UKL platform we can see the similarities.

While some may question BMW’s motive in bringing a front wheel-drive offering to market it really is two fold: 1) Most consumers think the 1 Series is front wheel drive already and that hasn’t hurt sales, 2) The current 1 Series is uncomfortable, smaller and with less cargo capacity than competitors in the segment so it gets hurt in reviews which does in turn hurt sales.

On the latter; having a 120d BMW Edition 5 door hatch in the parkplatz currently I can fully attest on how miserable the rear seat ride quality is. With the drive axel, fuel tank and suspension all crammed in a small space it leaves little room for something like a decently padded rear seat or a boot to fit anything bigger than a few bags of groceries in. The competition on the other hand (namely the MB A-Class, Audi A3 and VW Golf) are much more plush and roomy. The A-Class in particular has tons of room in the cabin and trunk- dare I say almost C-Class levels. We’ll have a more in depth review in the near future of the 120d.

While the decision to go FWD may not be popular amongst BMW diehards it is something that they do need to do if they do not want to be ousted out of an important German (European) segment even though it means little in the US. The MINI has been a huge success compared to the competition in terms of driving prowess even being front wheel drive so we foresee the BMW offering to not be all that different.

Image: World Car Fans

Auto News Question: “In the overall luxury market, do you see movement toward more fuel-efficient vehicles? Do you see buyers dropping down in segments: 7 series to 5 series, 5 series to 3 series?

O’Donnell Answer: “Yes, the 2014 and 2015 period with the front-drive cars. But what I do see happening is that the premium segment will expand. At the New York auto show, Mercedes-Benz was showing the A class. We will be expanding into new niches. The consumer will be spoiled for choice.”

Was he talking about BMW in general coming to market with FWD cars or more specifically to the US? In the remainder of the interview he discusses only the US market so it can be taken from this interview that the FWD model will indeed be coming to the US. This is a new revelation to us here at BF and seems to go against what others sources have been insinuating for a good deal of time. One way or another MINI will have some new competition and will not be the only FWD car that can handle on the black anymore.

The same day that BMW trotted out it’s highly anticipated 2013 MINI hatch just happens to be the day that the first photos of the front wheel drive 1 Series show up via Worldcarfans.com. Can you tell these cars are sharing development cycles?

What you see above are BMW’s first forays into a front wheel drive city car meant for the masses. As we’ve previously reported it will be built on the UKL platform that will underpin everything from the next generation MINI to the Z1 (or Z2 depending on who you talk to. Specifically what we see here is the five door that we reported on a while back.

We believe the car will debut sometime late next year. However what BMW plans on doing to not compete with the MINI launch during that same time-frame we don’t quite no. Regardless, the car (known internally as the 1001) will be offered in three and five door variations that will offer the same space and general performance of the F56 MINI. So how will BMW be able to actually give each car it’s own character? Reportedly BMW feels confident that software, design and marketing will be enough to make them each unique. This is clearly the big hurdle that we all question can be overcome.

You can see the full photo above along with an entire gallery at WCF.

As he did recently with the M3, BMW insider Scott26 has given us an inside look at BMW’s small car strategy. It’s mostly an update on previous information we’ve reported but it’s the best and most thorough we’ve seen. A couple things to note. Once again Scott confirms what other sources have told us, the Z2 roadster will almost surely be FWD. Secondly the 1 Series will include RWD hatches and FWD MINI based cars. Finally the 1 Series Coupe and Convertible will indeed be moved to the 2 Series nomenclature. And yes that means (as we suspected) we’ll likely see something called an M2.

But for those who want to read it in detail, here’s Scott26′s full run-down (as posted on GCF)

The new Premium Compact Class.

In order to make room for the new family of Front wheel Drive BMW’s. BMW are now locked in to seperate it’s core compact premium family.

BMW 1er frontDrive Family

• City Compact
• F.A.S.T. Family Activity Sports Tourer
• Gran Turismo
• Z2

Sharing architecture with the next MINI , The BMW entry models retain the 1er designation but will be identified by unique badging.

BMW’s first foray into the highly contested Premium City segment will comprise of unique concepts with a sporty edge. The wheels may be front driven or in the case of the FAST optional xDrive.

But the mission statement remains the same to offer a unique sporting impression even though the rules have been changed.

The Z2 now becomes part of the FWD architecture and will comprise of a single model Roadster, The car is extremely compact and will offer a entry choice for a sporty BMW.

BMW 1er sDrive

• Sporthatch 5dr
• Sporthatch 3dr

The imminent new Sporthatch continues it’s success story in a much more rounded successor. Especially focusing on the increase of the wheelbase for rear passenger accomodation. Launched with a signifcant number of features for a new BMW. The new 1er justifies it’s cause in regards to it’s importance to the coming growth of the Premium Compact Segment. Allowing luxury options normally found in high end Premium luxury cars available in the compact class. The new 1er Sporthatch also heralds the introduction of next generation “Efficient Dynamics” technologies in order for the 1er to remain the principle choice as the most fuel efficient car in it’s segment.

BMW 2er

• Coupe
• Cabrio

In order to seperate the Performance and sportier body shape of the Coupe and Cabrio BMW will rename the cars as the 2er. Bypassing the need for overcrowding with the new Sporthatch / FWD Family.

The 2er showcases some new design movement with further progressive sporting interpretation of the hatch ,to some the new car looks more 2002 like than before. The Cabrio model will continue offering a soft-top roof and clean design lines without compromising looks and performance. Both will be launched in 2013 respectively.

Since it is given that the baby 1er M Coupe should really have followed through and be called M1 in relation to the rest of the M cars.

The inclusion of M2 allows the M Division to bypass that dilemma and offer a straight choice of M2. Following on from the exceptional response to the new 1er M Coupe. The new car allows more money and time and the ability to progress. Although the 1er M Coupe showcases what is possible in a tight time frame , BMW will work to emulate the current car by making sure that weight loss is significant a benefactor because it looks to it’s forebears with the inclusion of a high performance four cylinder turbo charged engine.

The problem with the current car is it’s short window in regards to further progress, there are ideas but not the money nor the time to do so. This is something that will be rectified with the next generation as the regards to bring a successor “That will push the envelope” for small performance cars.

BMW M-One – Compact Programme.

Although in no way moving forward but currently in the realm of ideas. With the Z2 now joining the FWD family , The original proposed Z2 which went to the final stages before the car was switched to the FWD programme. Is effectively reborn in this proposal.

With the sub-brand BMWi arriving with individual products with their own design and technology to give the i3 and i8 complete individualism. Plans are in motion to allow BMW M as the other BMW sub-brand to offer it’s own take of Individualism. With BMWi and BMW M to be the first to share material technology this compact MCoupe and MRoadster are seen as potential M models to take on the successful and revered Porsche Cayman and Boxster. Individual design , and exclusively M if given the go-ahead the smaller M models based upon the matrix of the F20/F30 could bring new customers to the M brand thanks to the appeal of the M badge, lightweight technology and stunning looks it could become one of the most significant M cars this decade.

Under Consideration

• BMW 2er Gran Coupe

Extended Four door Coupe of the 2er Coupe with sleek design and sporting coupe roofline. Intended for sDrive family allbeit with optional xDrive.

• BMW 1er Touring / Shooting Brake

Lifestyle Choice , configured in either 3dr or 5dr Intended to be designated as a sDrive model allbeit with optional xDrive.

Over the last one to two years a handful of automotive publications (including MotoringFile & BimmerFile) have been reporting that BMW intends to share platforms and engines going forward. And while we’ve known for some time the generalities of the plans, we’re starting to get a much a much better view of the future.

For starters BMW intends on using a common platform to underpin up to a dozen cars for both the MINI and BMW brands. UKL as it’s known internally will handle all front and all wheel drive small car needs for BMW and MINI in the years ahead. In fact there are some that believe UKL will even be used for the next generation 1 Series after the F20 – yes that means a front wheel drive 1 Series. But that’s getting ahead of ourselves. Let’s talk about BMW’s first steps with the new platform.

BMW Group Board Member Ian Robertson has confirmed 6-9 new cars in a recent interview:

We want to grow in the premium small car and compact segment with the BMW and Mini, “explains Ian Robertson, BMW board member for sales and marketing, told the industry magazine CAR PRODUCTION.

The logical step is therefore the extension down to a compact car family called UKL (lower compact car) that there is currently not in BMW and Mini. To close this gap, Robertson announced a product offensive. “We think about six to nine new vehicles based on this architecture UKL So a product family that our position in the arena of small and compact cars will expand massively. “Whether or not including a van to the model of a Mercedes A-Class are, the BMW manager replied: “We have analyzed in great detail, where is still room for more models.

The first step will happen in late 2012 when BMW will release the 3rd generation MINI. Codenamed the F56 and replacing the R56, the three door hatch will sport completely new interior design (with improved interface design) and an evolution of the MINI exterior design language. Perhaps most importantly, there will be the new technology and powerplants. BMW will debut it’s new range three cylinder engines in the F56 that will ultimately go on to power much of the (approximately) 12 forthcoming UKL based models.

Shortly afterwards will come the BMW version of the F56. Known internally as the 1001 the car will be offered in three and five door variations that will offer the same space and general performance of the F56 MINI. So how will BMW be able to actually give each car it’s own character? Reportedly BMW feels confident that software, design and marketing will be enough to make them each unique. This is clearly the big hurdle that we all question can be overcome.

From there MINI will be going on to release the convertible and then the next generation Clubman on the UKL1. Ah yes, sources are now telling us that the next generation Clubman won’t be based on the current Countryman platform but actually the five door hatchback front wheel drive BMW. But don’t worry, the barn doors will stay.

For those about lose count of what’s coming, it gets in murkier. The Paceman (essentially the Countryman Coupe) will make it’s way to showrooms in 2014 based off of the current Countryman platform.

And then things get really interesting. Reportedly BMW intends to stretch the UKL to underpin the next generation BMW X1 and Countryman around the 2016 and 2017 model year respectively. Yes the X1 will go front wheel drive in standard form.

2017 will also see the production version of the MINI Rocketman. According to several sources (including this month’s Automobile Magazine) MINI may even go slightly smaller with the Rocketman getting very close to the original Mini’s length of 120 inches. At this time there are no plans for a BMW city car of similar stature.

Reportedly on the drawing boards but unconfirmed by our sources are a BMW and MINI ‘sports activity tourer’ that will offer the most space and versatility on the platform. What they will ultimately look like we haven’t the foggiest.

By 2018 BMW intends on rounding out the decade with the next generation MINI Coupe and Roadster based on the UKL. And alongside the much rumored BMW Z2 front wheel drive roadster. The Z2 will finally bring an affordable roadster to the BMW range. Although how it will market it alongside the MINI Convertible and MINI Roadster is yet to be determined.

Finally there are several rumors (and at least one of our own sources) that are pointing the UKL serving as the basis of a front wheel drive 1 Series. Yes that would mean the F20 would be the last rear wheel drive 1 Series before the car moves over to what many BMW enthusiasts would consider the dark-side. However for those who doubt BMW’s prowess and building successful and sporty front wheel drive cars, just look at the last ten years of the MINI brand.

There are other rumors but things frankly get a little too murky for our tastes to report yet. However suffice to say BMW intends on leveraging everything it can to combat VW, Audi and Mercedes over the next decade. And with lighter, more efficient (yet power engines) combined with a flexible and very high-tech platform, they stand a fighting chance.

Photo courtesy of Auto Bilde

BMW is looking to base several small cars off of MINI products in the years ahead. The one we’ve mentioned on the site numerous times is the BMW 1001 – based off of the next generation MINI hatchback. Another that has had just some passing mentions both here and on MotoringFile is the 1 Series Gran Turismo. Seen here poorly photoshopped via a UK magazine, the 1er GT will be based off of the Countryman platform and will be strictly FWD.

The idea is to create more interior room by doing two things; basing it off of FWD architecture and eliminating the transmission tunnel and raising the roof and belt-line for a semi-command seating position. However if you’re in the US don’t expect to see any FWD cars wearing the Roundel anytime soon.

Source: GCF

As we broke in our interview with MINI USA Product Manager Vinnie Kung, MINI has axed the idea of bring diesels to the US market. But in talking about that decision a few things became clear about MINI & BMW’s four cylinder strategy given that the two will be sharing cars in the years ahead.

But first a quick recap. MINI will clearly be without a diesel in the line-up in the US. MINI USA had planned on bringing over the Cooper D for the 2010 model year as early as 2007. The plan was to use the engine without urea injection until 2015 when new EPA rules would go into effect. However the 2008 worldwide economic collapse brought some unfortunately realities to BMW and all non-essential projects were cancelled.

Fast forward to 2009 and MINI USA was once again ready to get started selling diesels. However a new problem emerged when the EPA moved up a key date for cleaner emissions and thus urea injection became a mandatory. MINI USA investigated the idea and talked to everyone with the design and manufacturing process. The answer wasn’t pretty. The cost would be staggering considering the body in white would have to be altered to make room for the urea injection system. Once again the plan was shelved.

As an official press release and spy-shots suggest, MINI is partnering with Getrag to produce a hybrid powertrain. We know literally nothing about this power plant. But what we can logically guess a few things:

• It will be a plug-in hybrid given industry trends and a few sources
• It will likely be featured in the larger models (like the Countryman) in the MINI line-up due to the extra components needed. In fact we’d be surprised if it was featured in anything BUT Countryman based models. Knowing that BMW is currently planning it’s own Countryman derivative there’s little question we expect the Roundel attached to this engine as well.
• Because of the last bullet we look for this to be based on the 120 hp four cylinder Cooper engine from the current MINI generation.

Fast forward a few years and we could be seeing Hybrid Countryman based crossovers across the MINI and BMW lineup along with three cylinder MINI hatchbacks and convertible all getting around or over 50 mph on the highway (while being even quicker than today’s cars). And that’s not to even mention the new MINI City car coming around 2015 and the BMW iSetta premium electric range coming. Not a bad future in our minds.

German magazine Autobilde seems to think it’s close enough to put on this week’s cover.

The 1001 (yes the infamous FWD BMW) will be based on the next generation MINI platform and along with sharing engines with the brand. The car will likely not come to the US but instead will be sold as an efficient cost effective way into the BMW brand throughout most of the rest of the world.

The always ambitious Scott26 has been at it again at Germancarforum.com where he regularly posts insight into BMW’s future products plans. In his latest update he talks about the future of BMW models and how the new front wheel drive models will support the brand and the ever growing urban premium market.

Because his post is so well articulated and expansive we’ve decided to bring you it in it’s entirety. You can find the original here. While we believe this information is firmly based in reality (or reality at a point in time) we would urge you to still file it under rumor for the time being.

As you know BMW have announced that between now and 2015 they will bring 20 new models to the market covering a vast range of segments. With the future growth of the small compact city , Premium Compact and Premium Entry segments in the minds of the product planners. BMW will unleash a greater majority of models based on this model matrix to increase it’s volumes in the Premium segment.

Beginning in 2011 we will see the first results of this strategy within the new BMW 1er Sporthatch and BMW 3er Sedan which will be unveiled just before the end of 2011. Another new exciting additions for the M-Division include the exciting new 1 series M Coupe and the sixth generation BMW M5.

The Premium market will welcome a new luxury set of BMW 6er Coupe and Convertible. Whilst the first evidence of the Gran coupe will be seen on the streets of Munich.

The new BMW X3 begins it’s first year on the market with additional engines in europe along with a new four cylinder petrol turbo which will be announced later in the year. The BMW X1 continues it’s success with over 100,000 units sold and top place in the market with an additional M-Sport packet.

The BMW X6 which recently celebrated it’s three years launch in December 2007 will see a slight refresh life cycle improvement.

Although this is just the tip of the iceberg.

In 2011 you will get to hear more regarding BMW’s innovative think-tank on sustainable future mobility as BMW begin preparing the world for it’s innovative new Sub brand. New innovations Aswell as exciting new Concepts scheduled for Detroit , Geneva , Shanghai and Frankfurt. all to show BMW’s leadership of the premium segment.

In Part one we focused on the MINI Brand, and the new BMW sub brand “BMW “i”

IN Part Two it will concentrate on the BMW Premium Compact and Premium Entry segment . BMW’s FWD compact series, The BMW 1er and BMW 3er, BMW X1 and BMW X3 and X4.

In Part Three we will touch on the Core BMW Premium luxury models – BMW 5er , 6er and 7er. BMW X5 and X6.

In Part Four we will look at the other BMW sub brands – BMW “M” and BMW “Z” and finally Rolls-Royce Motor cars.

Part Two.
B.rave N.ew W.orld.
It’s What?

When Norbert Reithofer. BMW’s chairman of the Board announced that 80% of BMW owners thought that their BMW 1er was front wheel drive , many were astounded at that statement when it was mentioned regarding BMW’s shock-announcement of it’s intentions into Front wheel drive. As many , the world over believe that the concept of Front Wheel drive in a BMW is not only sacreligious and blasphemy but something that BMW had fought to distinguish their cars from their competitors.

Till the latest winter photographs and videos of people across the world trying to get mobile by either equipping their front wheels with snowchains or trying to clear a path for the front wheels, getting nowhere sometime to hilarious and expected consequences. Norbert Reithofer was therefore justified in his statement.

Looking at BMW Differently…

BMW are not just going Front Wheel Drive to further eclipse their emissions targets. But to provide a profitable strategy by developing a new platform structure , modular in form to accomodate both MINI and BMW.

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 in the beginning 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.

No Reasons to Panic

When I say Front wheel Drive BMW the panic sets in and goes against BMW’s core marketing message: Image, Dynamics and Rear Wheel Drive. Some journalists have pointed out that the new 1er is Front Wheel Drive and so is the 3er and so will this eventually and so on. The new BMW 1er which will be seen in a few months time remains Rear Wheel Drive, The new BMW 3er which will debut in November also remains Rear Wheel Drive.

What the Front Wheel Drive BMW consist of however is a range of small concepts designed to appeal to a growing demographic in the demand for more compact premium concepts.

A New World of Difference: The Concepts.

• BMW Compact
• BMW Compactive Sport Gran Tourer
• BMW F.amily A.ctivity S.ports T.ourer

First of all will see the new BMW Compact. BMW’s interpretation of a Front Wheel Drive city car or a MINI. You will have typical BMW design elements but reinterpreted to give a new impression of a totally different idea of a BMW. In order for the concept to appeal it has to be eye-catching and stand out amongst it’s competitors.

A Sexy Kind of Blasphemy.

The overall shape of the car differs completely from the typical MINI or conventional 3dr hatch format , the closest intention on the market today is possibly the Honda CR-Z but not directly. In order to really sell home the concept. BMW wants the car to really strike out not just from the MINI but also it’s competition.

The designers have gone for an edgier three-dimensional appearance in it’s explanation it forgoes the use of lines to enhance wheelarches and now becomes more Three-Dimension as it is now stamped so you can see the widening of the rear quarter.

One idea intended to signify the new direction for BMW is expanded design cues talked about previously such as an enclosed normal glasshouse that is pushed inwards allowing the metal around the rear to enclose the glasshouse allowing a line that curves around the rear window forming the typical BMW kink impression in metal instead of the glass that swipes strikingly through the doors to the front wing.

The A-Pillars follow the direction shown with the Vision Efficient Dynamics concept and continue down into the front wing leaving a typical BMW wheel at each corner look , triangular shaped lights sit upon each corner of the rear. The roof is towards the rear a typical BMW sloping roof.

With the typical BMW double round headlights stepped with one slightly below the other another idea is the inclusion of indicator signals directly underneath the angel eyes. The front of the car gets a smaller twin kidney grille again more three-dimensional as the front of the car allows the grille to be pushed further back.

The stand-out stylish design has been chosen to really signify the new direction , a regular typical hatch would not be a major selling point to deliver the concept.

The BMW Compactive Gran Sport Tourer

Fullfills the need for a segment BMW have not yet targeted mainly the multi-purpose vehicle segment which is expected to see sales rises from 45% per year. BMW plan a two prong attack but will not offer a typical MPV concept in which some look like Vans with additional windows.

What BMW intend to offer is a raised Five Dr hatch-Tourer concept with a raised driving position , stretched wheelbase with room for five made possible by positioning the engine transversely and removing the transmission tunnel. It will not be a Five Dr variant of the compact. It will inherit a very unique design.

The BMW Family Activity Sport Tourer is seen as a more Sporty orientated synergy of a Touring MPV and an X model. Again it will be uniquely designed, look sporty. Like the Mega City Vehicle, the car will feature rear-hinged doors for access to the cabin The concept has proved successful in presentations that BMW have commenced work on a 3er F.A.S.T. But will be Rear Wheel Drive.

Can the BMW Compact and MINI co-exist ?

The key to this is a brand new compact platform shared with the MINI that if the first outcome is successful then BMW might consider a further range of models to support it’s new segment.

This new Platform which has been engineered to support the MINI and BMW 1001 Compact will be used within each Brands variants. MINI of course will be the first to expand and after an establishment period has indicated that BMW’s concept was a success then BMW’s design teams have on the table a range of additional concepts for the expansion. Another key to the cost effectiveness of the car is that engines will also be shared as well manual,automatic and electric drivetrains. Engines will also be shared ranging from three and Four cylinders in both petrol and diesel format.

In distinguishing both cars visually another key factor for BMW is the driving characteristics and how the engineers will go to lengths to make sure that both MINI and the BMW Compact offer an individual driving experience that distinguishes both cars.

The MINI of course will retain it’s typical MINI Go-Kart trademark handling whilst BMW will be looking for a more dynamic approach , both levels of dynamics for both cars are attainable.

Why the need for a Premium Front wheel drive Concept from BMW?

The recent recession taught us that customers are willing to downsize to other segments if there vehicles offer the same luxuries and features as traditional luxury concepts. The prime example being MINI where in some markets for MINI sales were actually rising it was only to further examination that a higher majority of these cars were being built with nearly every option available maximising profits for MINI and showing that customers were willing to move to more efficient vehicles but with the same level of comforts and luxuries.

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.

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(Now with louder audio!)

On this week’s BimmerCast we talk all things ALMS with a wrap up of the Petit LeMans and the 2010 ALMS season. It’s in-depth and just the kind of thing you won’t hear on Speed TV.

Then we turn out attention to the 1 Series. First up is the 2011 LCI that brings LED front and rear lights. Then we turn our attention to the reality of a FWD 1er and whether or not we’ll ever see that car in the US.

Finally we’ve improved our audio quality over the past few episodes but we’re not finished. This week features a louder (yes more volume) mix that many of you have been requesting. Keep the feedback coming!

“It will be a relatively big segment because we have several body styles,” Ian Robertson, BMW AG’s board member for sales and marketing, said in an interview today at the Paris auto show.

He didn’t disclose what body styles BMW is developing but confirmed the vehicles will have a four-cylinder engine in the United States at launch. The new family of small cars is expected to be introduced in the next few years – before the launch of BMW’s megacity electric car due 2013, he said.

The new FWD model or models will come in at least 3 body styles and will be introduced before 2013. BMW says the new sub-compact range will have an initial global yearly volume of 100,000 units. When questioned about the idea of a front wheel drive BMW, Robertson responded: “No one has said to me the Mini isn’t great to drive.”

Source: Autonews.com

A number of BMW’s European trademarks were recently unearthed by our favorite public tipster Scott27 that foreshadow a number of new products. And based on other sources they also unlock two entirely new lines of products that we expect to see by 2015.

For starters BMW will be creating two entirely new lines of products: the “i” and “e” line-up. It’s assumed that E (as in E1, E3 and so on) will be BMW’s range of electric vehicles that could correspond with their existing line-up. The “i” nomenclature will likely be the official name of the iSetta megacity range of small cars. Expect i1, i3 and so on.

Beyond that BMW also registered the following:

• M50d – likely M’s first tri-turbo diesel (yes as in three turbos) product potentially used in the 5 Series, 6 Series and the X5, X6 twins.
• Urbanic – this will likely have to do with the megacity project.
• Gran Coupe – We believe this is the four door coupe based on the new 6 Series that harkens back to the CS concept.
• Compactive and Compactive Tourer – This seems to be based on the GT versions of the F20 1 and F30 3 series models.

The “0″ Series we have been talking about? Well if you’ve listened to our podcast you’d know we really don’t expect BMW to use the 0 Series name. Instead look for something else new.

This week BMW has taken the wraps off of a large project to develop an entire modular engine platform that will include everything from the new three cylinder to new versions of BMW’s trademark inline six. Automotive News is reporting that the engines will span the MINI, BMW and Rolls Royce brands by 2020. We believe the first part of this will show up in 2013 in the 3rd generation MINI and a new (as yet unnamed) front wheel drive BMW.

It’s a bold plan in that BMW has never built engines on this scale before. However if there’s one thing BMW knows how to do, it’s build award winning engines. It also creates a plan to retain BMW’s independence when it comes to engine manufacturing. It’s clear that this is core to BMW’s plan to not only stay independent but also lead the world in sustainability while retaining the characteristic BMW level of performance.

File this under the data that supports a corporate decision category. BMW has announced that their own study has shown 80% of European 1 Series owners think their car is front wheel drive. That’s four out of five people who think that the key attribute of the BMW brand magically doesn’t apply to their car.

Of course it’s a perfectly timed study considering the uproar we’ve seen over BMW’s announcement that they will be building a FWD BMW based off of the next MINI platform. It also means that the ad above (released to support the 1 series hatch in 2006) clearly didn’t get its point across.

via Autocar.

“There will be front-wheel-drive BMWs in the smaller vehicle classes in the future,” BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer said at the company’s annual financial results press conference here today.

BMW expects the new architecture to debut in 2014 (a year later than anticipated) with the debut of the third generation MINI hatch. The new archicture will allow BMW to produce many products around the size of the current MINI and MINI Clubman and smaller. Basically everything from minicars to compacts. All told Automotive News expects the architecture to underpin up to 20 different MINI and BMW models.

http://www.bimmerfile.com/?p=6099

That front wheel drive based “0″ Series BMW we told you about last fall is getting more interesting. Last week we noted that during BMW Chairman Norbert Reithofe’s speech he made it clear that BMW and MINI were extending their brands into the small car segment. But what did that exactly mean? Was he talking about the shared platform between the MINI and a new small BMW or BMW’s new range of “megacity” cars sub-braned as iSetta? Autocar had a chance to ask the man that very question.

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.

Autocar predicts this new BMW will be built along side the MINI in Oxford. However our sources at our sister site MotoringFile tell us this is impossible given the current cost of expanding the plant even further. Instead it’s likely that the new small BMW will be built alongside a small slice of the next generation MINI production at a current BMW plant in Germany. It’s worth noting that our sources tell us that all MINIs produced in Germany will be destined for the European market as a way to insulate the British currency issues BMW currently faces.

Regardless of where the car is built, a front wheel drive BMW will be a reality. According to Dr. Reithofe the premium small car segment is growing too fast to ignore. And with BMW already having a world-class small car platform to draw from, it’s obvious why the decision makes business sense. Look for the car to debut around the same time as the next generation MINI in 2013 and be sold predominantly in Europe. It will not be available in the US market.

Car Magazine is reporting that BMW will leverage the new MINI platform (itself based on the modular 1 Series platform) for a smaller BMW. The big news for BMW enthusiasts is that Car is reporting this new car will be front wheel drive – a first for BMW and something that goes against the core brand values up until now. The Untere Kompaktklasse (German for lower compact class) will slot between the MINI and the 1 Series and will be marketed with efficiency as it’s main attribute. Likely featuring BMW’s new range of 3 and 4 cylinder engines, the 0 Series will help the BMW Group meet new CO2 and MPG requirements both in the US and Europe. While BMW will be counting on MINI to help as well, the thought is that some customers would prefer a small premium product from the BMW brand. For these people the 0 Series will offer all the technology found in other small BMWs in a smaller more efficient package. According to sources driving dynamics will more closely mirror what we see in the current MINI range.

According to Car, this smaller BMW will form the basis of 2 and 4 door hatchback models as well as a two door roadster. We’d also assume that BMW would be using this model as the basis of at least one electric or hybrid model as part of its Project i.

What does this mean for the MINI? A lot really. First off this is the fruits of BMW’s decision to go it alone with future MINI development (at least that we know of at this time). BMW decided earlier this year to take advantage of economies of scale with the next MINI’s development by sharing components with future BMW products. This should give MINI more technology and a higher degree of development time and cost for the new model.

Look for the 0 Series to debut generally around the time the 3rd generation

The first photo is courtesy of Jalopnik. The Car Magazine story that much of this information comes from isn’t yet online. However you can buy the magazine at book stores now.