Yep, the words came directly from BMW's CEO Norbert Reithofer during a speech at the company's annual management meeting.
"We are exploring the possibility of developing a joint architecture for the front and four-wheel drive systems of these cars (BMW and Mini). In other words: There will be front-wheel drive BMWs in the smaller vehicle classes in the future," Reithofer said.
Reithofer also mentioned BMW's planned Megacity Vehicle and the fact that it will incorporate carbon fiber to keep weight down. "We consider carbon fiber a cutting-edge material for the auto industry. Our efforts will make sustainable mobility possible in urban environments. In line with our corporate philosophy, the energy demand for producing carbon fiber will come from hydropower. We are currently looking for a suitable location in North America to set up our joint venture plant."
inlinesix says:
09:55 AM, 03/17/10
yeehaw, a FWD BMW. Guess its time to cut costs and weight?
sgude says:
10:10 AM, 03/17/10
If it drives like a BMW traditionally does, it'll sell. Well, after all the badge whores have bought -- oops, leased -- theirs.
ptcdawg says:
10:31 AM, 03/17/10
Oh no....
dougtheeng says:
10:43 AM, 03/17/10
i doubt that many 3-series soccer mom types even understand the rwd thing. This will offend enthusiasts, but it wont offend the target market.
throwback says:
10:49 AM, 03/17/10
I don't think enthusiats will be offended. This is the same company that sells the GT and the X6.
cr_driver says:
10:53 AM, 03/17/10
4 cylinder engines, FWD, turbos, ........is so 2010!
sabastian says:
10:54 AM, 03/17/10
"There will be front-wheel drive BMWs in the smaller vehicle classes in the future."
There are small front-wheel drive BMWs in the present...they're called Minis.
bankerdanny says:
12:41 PM, 03/17/10
And then frogs fell from the sky and statues wept blood? Surely this is one of the signes of an impending apocalypse.
stephen987 says:
01:20 PM, 03/17/10
+1 bankerdanny--my thoughts exactly.
throwback says:
01:34 PM, 03/17/10
bankerdanny, I thought there would be more outrage about the X6. I still have not heard a reasonable explanation for why this vehicle exists. Why does someone buy the X6 over say the X5? I wouldn't buy either but I can at least understand the X5.
jederino says:
01:35 PM, 03/17/10
BMW can tune a chassis, so bring it on! FWD offers a lot of advantages, too.
roadburner says:
02:05 PM, 03/17/10
"FWD offers a lot of advantages, too."
In something the size of a Fit or Mini, I'll agree. Not so much once you get to something the size of a Civic.
stovt001 says:
04:22 PM, 03/17/10
Sabastian is right. If you want a FWD BMW, buy a Mini. Otherwise, this is just falling along the same lines as the X -series vehicles and the 5 Series GT. BMW is quickly turning its back on those who want "the ultimate driving machine" and are embracing those who just want to lease the biggest vehicle with the most prestigious badge they can (not really) afford.
ne1butu2 says:
08:10 AM, 03/18/10
Oh JOY
blueguydotcom says:
10:33 AM, 03/18/10
Well, I'm torn on this. 3 BMWs and a Cooper S. The Cooper was my second favorite of the 4 cars. The e9x cars (current gen) are so boring that I can't really say I looked forward to driving them.
As for badge hounds and the like. Yeah, yeah. I see a ton of young girls driving the IS250 - slow, impractical, expensive, poor handling but it has the all important L on the hood. This is the world. Such is life.
BMW has some great tech, they tune their cars for fun driving and often really good economy given the power/performance. I won't reject a FWD BMW off-hand. My Mini was too much fun to say a FWD BMW will be bad.
estreka says:
01:35 PM, 03/18/10
As long as it's a BMW, I'm cool with FWD. Don't let it hinder your RWD offerings, though.
dino6 says:
05:36 PM, 03/18/10
Internationally, BMW, Merc, Audi offer a broader range of cars and price points than what they offer in the U.S. So fwd BMWs may not necessarily be offered in the U.S. even if they will be elsewhere. What it creates is greater economies of scale w/c may potentially result in better pricing on Mini Coopers stateside (or just to offset the US dollar/Euro problem.)
tx8 says:
03:35 PM, 03/19/10
nooooooooooooooooo!!!!! if you want a front wheel drive bimmer, buy a mini!