Spy Photos: 2014 BMW Front-Wheel-Drive Prototype

I guess it depends on how it drives. The Mini is a front wheel drive BMW and it drives great.

Could they sell something that drives as well but in a roomier, less excessively styled body? I think so.

The image set might not like it but by the number of Mercedes B classes on the road BMW would be missing out not to join the market.

Isn't Mini the FWD BMW? What would this do for the brand other than cannibalize their own sales?

+1 STOV001

Don't bring it it here.

BMW has mini and is already close to losing it's performance vehicle cred based on the bloated 5 series that suffers from reported throttle lag, I would rather they bring more diesels to meet CAFE and keep the x-drive and RWD focus.

looks like Sonic. No worries, it will make 10BEST at C&D easily.

" No worries, it will make 10BEST at C&D easily."

You think they will like how it drives that much? I'll wait and see.

My knee-jerk reaction would be to say "no", but then I think of the Cayenne. That was an abhorrent affront against nature when it was first introduced, and now it's a complete commercial success and totally embraced by Porschephiles. So with that in mind, I would say "yes".

Change is scary, that's human nature. But it's also human nature to eventually get over it.

no wrong wheel drive from BMW thank you...

im with bodyshopboy on this one, bring on the diesels. They have improved a lot from lets say the diesel VW Rabbit back in the days.

cheap BMW I dont mind, as long as they do it right. The 318 was horrid, and the MB cheapo that come out (2 door hatch, forget whats its called? C230?) was horrid. But if a cheap BMW can be done, and correctly im for it. FWD bmw cheap or not can go to the car crusher.

Dear BMW, your brand is now officially diluted.
I understand the mini and its historical FWD layout, but if this is supposed to be a BMW, it should be RWD. End of story.

This sums up my feelings pretty well:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umDr0mPuyQc

Is it really important to take a stand on this? If BMW does it, then they do it. So what? Who really cares?

So many people are afraid of change. If change was not a part of our humanity, we would all be riding horses-- bareback, because the guy who invented the saddle was shot down by a bunch of 'fraidycats.

And speaking of horses: You will note that horses PULL wagons, not push them.

I have one word for all the people that think this will irreparably tarnish the Propeller's brand: Audi. Here is a brand that projects a luxury and sports style with a lineup of FWD cars (albeit with the quattro option) without any problems whatsoever. I think if anyone can market this, BMW can.

Personally, I don't mind seeing a few FWD BMWs around, since every other brand does it and I could easily see BMW taking the money from their darker ventures and building something cool and RWD with it (1M, M3, MCoupe). For reference, I drive an Infiniti (essentially Nissan's RWD/luxury batch), and have been a BMW enthusiast for a few years.

My only hope is that they differentiate the set of FWD models with a designation of some kind (think the i-sub-brand or even X for SUV). This would give us enthusiasts a chance to quickly identify an unknown car's traits as previous model designations have done. I am concerned about the idea of a 1er that is FWD more than anything.

The thing is, RWD is what makes BMW different than so many others, just like AWD makes Audi and Subaru who they are. Brands shouldn't throw away all brand identity for the sake of "change". FWD has its uses and advantages, but why not explore those through Mini while keeping BMW pure to the thing that makes them so desirable in the first place?

AHHHHHH!

That's scary. It would seem BMW is doing a study of how quickly a major luxury brand can be run into the ground. And they just hit the accelerator.

I don't mind FWD, but that doesn't look like it's going to be a remotely interesting car.

Scion xD got BIG!
BD

Considering the new 5 and 7 series and X3 seem to have taken some feel out of their steering (according to reviews), the specter of 4 cylinder engines and FWD are not the first or only dilution of the BMW image.

I always thought the steering in BMWs was supposed to be a no-compromise hallmark of the brand. That's disappointing, there are plenty of cars with numb steering. Not sure why that needs to be emulated.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MLry6Cn_D4

I think this is an accurate response.

There is nothing wrong with hatchbacks, but this looks like an ugly hatchback. Since it less than the 1 series, it should be called the Zero Series.

@devnix

If your going to buy the FWD Audi why on earth would you. Just go by the VW badge instead. Only good Audi is RWD or AWD end of story. People who buy the FWD are posers or cant afford the AWD so yet again posers. The RWD Audi ones I can understand as they are way more $$$$.

Kinda like buy a basic BMW and the only upgrade is the auto. In that case you only have the car for the badge.

I love the idea of a BMW hatch (Mini is a bit too out there for me), but I tend to agree this doesn't look to be an attractive car. I think the Lexus CT200h has a much more attractive shape, which is sad. Lexus should not be setting any styling benchmarks.

"People who buy the FWD are posers or cant afford the AWD so yet again posers. "

You haven't noticed Audis are better looking outside and have much nicer interiors? Perhaps some people are will to pay the extra amount for that. You might even find the "posers" out there are the ones refusing to drive front wheel drive cars just because they think it means economy car or still believe a FWD can't handle well.

Yes, it is coming to the U.S.
Get used to it.

And many more....

"Will they be destined for the US? Yes. Ian Robertson (BMW AG's board member for sales and marketing), interviewed at the Paris auto show last year, confirmed that 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" –

BMW is loosing it with their wrong wheel drive thing...

Mini handles because it's wide and has a very short wheelbase. So its wheels are located almost on vertices of a square. Same thing worked for the old Audi quattro rally car.

The car in question does not not share this feature. It will handle nowhere near as good as the Mini does.

What's more, it's a minivan. Minivans never work as premium vehicles as they originate from vans, which do not represent any of the premium-alike characteristics like prestige, power, agility or toughness.

Ask Mercedes if you don't believe. They tried with the V class, R class and minivan-alike B and A classes. V class became a commercial vehicle, R class sells three units a year and new A and B classes are just about to ditch their high bodies for normal ones.

This car makes sense but under different brand, for a non-premium price, with selected BMW technologies to increase their return on investment.

BMW should be careful with what they introduce to the market. Look at Porsche. Yes, they went for a SUV and a large flaghip, but both cars came with inherent Porsche virtues, being the best handling vehicles in their classes, just like Porsches should be. That's why they were accepted. BMW should not come up with something that does not strenghten typical associations that consumers have with this brand.

Definitely bring it here. A front-wheel drive compact BMW will name the up and coming premium compact segment in years to come. I say call it the 0-Series, give it ultra fuel efficient gasoline and diesel 4-cylinder engines. The car has to be sleak, original looking and not continuously mimic the look of a 1990's 5-Series wagon like the X1, X3, and X5 do....LET THAT LOOK GO!!!

I guess ed124c and devnix wouldn't mind if the dual kidney grilles went away either.

Hey guys, why don't you take your branding genius over to Audi and suggest that the next gen R8 come with a FWD option?

A BMW MPV?