[Jason]

Going back to last year, it was rumored that BMW is developing a FWD entry-level model (0-series ?) based on Mini architecture. This has now been confirmed by BMW chairman Norter Reithofe at the Geneva motor show! Speaking to Autocar, the chairman officially acknowledged plans to produce an Audi A1 rival under the BMW marquee.


According to Autocar:

The new model is being developed as part of plans to help increase parts sharing and bolster the potential for production savings between the BMW and Mini brands, thus bringing an end to the era of rear and four-wheel drive-only BMW models.

Speaking to Autocar at the last week's Geneva motor show, Reithofer said internal BMW studies revealed that, despite the downturn in the world’s economy, there is continued demand for what he described as "premium vehicles" in the small car class.

He then officially acknowledged plans that will see BMW producing a rival to the recently unveiled Audi A1 and a new Smart Forfour presently under development at rival Mercedes-Benz.

"We will be extending the BMW and Mini brands into the small car segment with new models and variants," said Reithofer.

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.

The new Mini Cooper is not due out until 2014, but the small BMW could be on UK roads as early as 2013 as part of a major thrust by the company to become the undisputed sales leader in the premium small car class.
Plans to base the new entry-level BMW on the same platform as the Mini Cooper also raise the question of where the new car would be built. Although BMW is being vague, Autocar understands the new car could be built alongside the Mini Cooper in Oxford, using a new generation of petrol and diesel engines sourced from BMW's engine plant in Hams Hall.

Studies are also under way that could result in the new platform structure referred to by Reithofer being used for future generations of the 1-series - although BMW is still undecided on whether the third-generation model, due in 2018, will be front-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive.

"We are looking at alternatives," a Munich insider told Autocar. "With the new platform set to support four-wheel drive, it wouldn't be that hard to use the transmission tunnel for a rear-wheel-drive application."

[ChrisFastM3]

I can't wait for the -1 series /s/

[iBoost]

if they offer a 035i im all in!!

[keanu1]

Originally Posted by iBoost

if they offer a 035i im all in!!

What about an m0?!?

[iBoost]

Originally Posted by keanu1

What about an m0?!?

that'll be in about 2-4years after the 0 release. so ill get the n-54 in the mean time

[jonerik26]

very interesting

[BGM]

fwd :/

[///RedlineCars]

i think BMW needs a Supercar not some tinycar

[T89]

Originally Posted by keanu1

What about an m0?!?

This would be great however very unlikely. Maybe an IS model to compete against audi's upcoming s1?


T

[Bluechipper]

Originally Posted by GoTTaLoVeBiMMeR

i think BMW needs a Supercar not some tinycar

You must have not gone to an Auto Show lately. They are all about the green movement. Every manufacturer has their electric cars, hyrbrids, etc.

A BMW supercar is not happening anytime soon. Right now BMW is all about their efficient dynamics.

BMW didn't even bring the X5M and X6M to the Detroit Auto Show because they were embarrassed of them.

[Frosty]

..perhaps they will make the M-Zero I have been hoping for...

[Memphis1]

Originally Posted by iBoost

if they offer a 035i im all in!!

[kinan_sleiman2006]

I don"t like the name 0 series

[kinan_sleiman2006]

Will they produce an M0 with 6 cilynders 300 hp?

[kooper]

Oh dear. It's all good and well that the 0 Series will be FWD, notwithstanding the fact that there will now be a FWD BMW. If it helps them make better cars that they traditionally focus on then bring it on.

But the next 1 possibly becoming FWD? Where'd that come from? The current 1 is probably as big inside as the E36 was, maybe a bit tighter. The next 1 will obviously be bigger still, so why the need to switch to FWD? Surely not packaging?

Is there something we're not being told here? If BMW has a FWD 1, perhaps that would make it easier for them to share platforms with some other manufacturer of FWD Golf-class cars, or even worse, easier to *gulp!* merge with some other manufacturer of FWD Golf-class cars...

Just planting the seed here people.


Added thought: And if this 0 Series is a reaction to Audi's A1, what will BMW do if Audi suddenly bring out an A0? A Sub0 Series?

[Pazzo009]

0 series? really? That kinda sounds pathetic. What do you drive? A zero series....wow your a loser, I drive a 3 series.

[bluejaypanther]

Originally Posted by kooper

Oh dear. It's all good and well that the 0 Series will be FWD, notwithstanding the fact that there will now be a FWD BMW. If it helps them make better cars that they traditionally focus on then bring it on.

But the next 1 possibly becoming FWD? Where'd that come from? The current 1 is probably as big inside as the E36 was, maybe a bit tighter. The next 1 will obviously be bigger still, so why the need to switch to FWD? Surely not packaging?

Is there something we're not being told here? If BMW has a FWD 1, perhaps that would make it easier for them to share platforms with some other manufacturer of FWD Golf-class cars, or even worse, easier to *gulp!* merge with some other manufacturer of FWD Golf-class cars...

Just planting the seed here people.


Added thought: And if this 0 Series is a reaction to Audi's A1, what will BMW do if Audi suddenly bring out an A0? A Sub0 Series?

I love my 1 series. The thought of them turning it into a FWD mule makes me want to retch.

I don't care what they do with the 0 series, I could care less about the "purity" of the badge, that's already long gone with the X5. I really don't understand where the 0 series niche goes, though. Who are they trying to steal customers from? V6 Accord/sentra coupe buyers? Are Golf buyers interested in a luxury nameplate?

I guess they know something I don't.

[kooper]

Originally Posted by bluejaypanther

I love my 1 series. The thought of them turning it into a FWD mule makes me want to retch.

I don't care what they do with the 0 series, I could care less about the "purity" of the badge, that's already long gone with the X5. I really don't understand where the 0 series niche goes, though. Who are they trying to steal customers from? V6 Accord/sentra coupe buyers? Are Golf buyers interested in a luxury nameplate?

I guess they know something I don't.

Agreed, the "purity" of the badge has been diluted with the X1, X3, X5 and X6 cars. It's more about the "purity" of the Series these days I'd say.

They've built a loyal following with the 1 Series as it is now, meaning RWD and the characteristics that go with RWD. Why suddenly change the recipe to FWD?

Maybe I'm reading way too much into this, but just the thought of them even considering making the 1 FWD in the future makes me think that there are bigger things at play in the background. Kind of makes me wonder if that rumor I read in a magazine not too long ago about Merc and BMW possibly merging or merging up to a point possibly not being as preposterous as it seemed at the time.

Badge-engineered BMW 1 Series built on Merc B Class chassis anyone?

[ArabianSensation]

/facepalm


What the hell are they thinking.... do not want

[bluejaypanther]

Originally Posted by kooper

Agreed, the "purity" of the badge has been diluted with the X1, X3, X5 and X6 cars. It's more about the "purity" of the Series these days I'd say.

They've built a loyal following with the 1 Series as it is now, meaning RWD and the characteristics that go with RWD. Why suddenly change the recipe to FWD?

Maybe I'm reading way too much into this, but just the thought of them even considering making the 1 FWD in the future makes me think that there are bigger things at play in the background. Kind of makes me wonder if that rumor I read in a magazine not too long ago about Merc and BMW possibly merging or merging up to a point possibly not being as preposterous as it seemed at the time.

Badge-engineered BMW 1 Series built on Merc B Class chassis anyone?

Please stop. You're going to give me nightmares.

I just took this to 1addicts. I expect outrage to follow shortly.

[AMB]

Originally Posted by Jason

BMW is developing a FWD

BLASPHEMY!!

[GnokGnik]

Although a cool idea, this will no-longer make BMW a luxury car brand.

@ BMW throwing the N54 in their whole range already.