BMW's first front wheel drive car

rxpaul · 15th June 2011, 11:05

What is BMW actually aiming for with the FWD ? Is it low cost and max space utilisation. Then why don't they go the NANO way......Rear engine and RWD (so no transmission tunnels). They then keep their brand value intact and also ensure low cost and better space.
What say ?

pawan_pullarwar · 15th June 2011, 12:12

It has nothing to do with max space utilization. They want to launch cheaper product, which will increase the volume. According to BMW front wheel drive cost very less compare to rear wheel drive, and use of Peugeot engine will further reduction in price.

mukundmenon · 21st June 2011, 17:13

FWD assembly line is less complicated to RWD.They can significantly cut costs there. But a beemer without RWD would be soul-less.RWD was one major factor when i decided to go for the Contessa other than Esteem,OHC etc.It is a joy to carve corners with and to watch other attempting FWD's understeer in the RVM's

deetjohn · 31st July 2014, 07:33

Next BMW 1-series to go front-wheel drive in 2015

As part of efforts to streamline operations and introduce greater economies of scale across its two top-selling brands, the new X1 and its upcoming X2 sibling are being developed in a joint engineering programme alongside the second-generation Mini Countryman and Clubman, with which they share their platform, drive trains, electrical systems and chassis.

15th June 2011, 11:05	#16
rxpaul BHPian Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Pune Posts: 365 Thanked: 127 Times View My Garage	Re: BMW's first front wheel drive car What is BMW actually aiming for with the FWD ? Is it low cost and max space utilisation. Then why don't they go the NANO way......Rear engine and RWD (so no transmission tunnels). They then keep their brand value intact and also ensure low cost and better space. What say ?
	() Thanks

15th June 2011, 12:12	#17
pawan_pullarwar BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Pune - Now in Munich, Germany Posts: 778 Thanked: 129 Times	Re: BMW's first front wheel drive car It has nothing to do with max space utilization. They want to launch cheaper product, which will increase the volume. According to BMW front wheel drive cost very less compare to rear wheel drive, and use of Peugeot engine will further reduction in price.
	() Thanks

21st June 2011, 17:13	#18
mukundmenon BHPian Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Kochi Posts: 77 Thanked: 28 Times View My Garage	Re: BMW's first front wheel drive car FWD assembly line is less complicated to RWD.They can significantly cut costs there. But a beemer without RWD would be soul-less.RWD was one major factor when i decided to go for the Contessa other than Esteem,OHC etc.It is a joy to carve corners with and to watch other attempting FWD's understeer in the RVM's
	() Thanks

31st July 2014, 07:33	#19
deetjohn Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Kochi Posts: 4,530 Thanked: 10,583 Times View My Garage	Re: BMW's first front wheel drive car Next BMW 1-series to go front-wheel drive in 2015 As part of efforts to streamline operations and introduce greater economies of scale across its two top-selling brands, the new X1 and its upcoming X2 sibling are being developed in a joint engineering programme alongside the second-generation Mini Countryman and Clubman, with which they share their platform, drive trains, electrical systems and chassis.
	() Thanks