Photo: Indiansautoblog.com
The plans laid out in Munich at the moment only focus on one thing, apparently: volume. The company set an ambitious goal for this year that might still be achievable, aiming to sell 2 million cars over the 12 month period but that’s only the beginning if we’re to believe the most recent reports coming in.
Usual whistleblower Scott26, the man that seems to know every move BMW is going to make even before it’s made, came forward with a couple of clarifications earlier this month.
BMW 2 Series range will remain rear-wheel drive biased
There’s been a long discussion going around, regarding the future of the 2 Series range. Most people panicked when BMW decided to launch its first ever front-wheel drive car under the 2 Series’ umbrella. The Active Tourer made a lot of us wonder what’s in store for the highly acclaimed coupe and convertible models.
An early report also said that discussions were heated in Munich, trying to decide the direction to follow next. As it turns out, the 2 Series Coupe, Convertible and the upcoming Gran Coupe will remain rear-wheel drive.
At the same time, the 1 Series will migrate to the UKL platform as will all of its variations and the X1 and its offsprings along with the 2 Series Active Tourer and the X2.
We already saw the F52 1 Series Sedan out testing but that’s not the only new FWD model that will come out. The joint-venture with Toyota will also allow the Germans to bring out the Z1 Roadster and the Z2 Coupe models.
As the name says, they will be part of the Z Series that will also get a powerful Z5 to replace the current Z4 Roadster. The Z1 and Z2 will basically be the same car with only one major difference between them: the roof. Engines will be similar to the ones used on the MINI range, varying from 1.5-liter 3-cylinder turbo plants to 2-liter 4-cylinder ones making close to 250 HP.
The Z5 on the other hand will share its platform with the Supra replacement and come out with an inline 6-cylinder engine. It will also have a different price tag compared to the Z1 and Z2 and will feature extensive usage of carbon fiber to keep the weight down. There’s also talk about a Z3 but that’s still just a rumor for now. The best thing about the Z Series is that the Z5 will come out first, right after the E89 Z4 goes out of production.
An early report also said that discussions were heated in Munich, trying to decide the direction to follow next. As it turns out, the 2 Series Coupe, Convertible and the upcoming Gran Coupe will remain rear-wheel drive.
The only exception to the rule
All the other cars won’t be so lucky though. BMW will introduce a new platform starting with the 2016 BMW G11 7 Series, one that will be the basis for every model bigger than the 3 Series. Called 35up, it will be underpinning the 3 Series, 5 Series, 7 Series and their coupe alternatives, all of them remaining rear-wheel drive.At the same time, the 1 Series will migrate to the UKL platform as will all of its variations and the X1 and its offsprings along with the 2 Series Active Tourer and the X2.
1 Series sedan, Z1 roadster and Z2 Coupe also in the works
Speaking of front-wheel drive models, we should also point out that the range will get significantly bigger, offering cheaper models for everyone that wants a BMW badge in their garage.We already saw the F52 1 Series Sedan out testing but that’s not the only new FWD model that will come out. The joint-venture with Toyota will also allow the Germans to bring out the Z1 Roadster and the Z2 Coupe models.
As the name says, they will be part of the Z Series that will also get a powerful Z5 to replace the current Z4 Roadster. The Z1 and Z2 will basically be the same car with only one major difference between them: the roof. Engines will be similar to the ones used on the MINI range, varying from 1.5-liter 3-cylinder turbo plants to 2-liter 4-cylinder ones making close to 250 HP.
The Z5 on the other hand will share its platform with the Supra replacement and come out with an inline 6-cylinder engine. It will also have a different price tag compared to the Z1 and Z2 and will feature extensive usage of carbon fiber to keep the weight down. There’s also talk about a Z3 but that’s still just a rumor for now. The best thing about the Z Series is that the Z5 will come out first, right after the E89 Z4 goes out of production.
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