Last year BMW announced that it intended to build front wheel drive BMW's under the BMW logo.
BMWBlog reports that "front-wheel drive is part of a strategy to help the next generation MINI and its future variants to become more profitable and more cost effective for BMW to produce." The new BMW that will support a front wheel drive system are said to be these three concepts - BMW Compact; BMW Compactive Sport Gran Tourer; and BMW F.amily A.ctivity S.ports T.ourer.
BMWBlog analyzes whether the BMW and MINI front wheel drive platforms can co-exist. It says:
Can the BMW Compact and MINI co-exist?
The key to this is a brand new compact platform shared with the MINI that if the first outcome is successful then BMW might consider a further range of models to support it’s new segment.
This new Platform which has been engineered to support the MINI and BMW 1001 Compact will be used within each Brands variants. MINI of course will be the first to expand and after an establishment period has indicated that BMW’s concept was a success then BMW’s design teams have on the table a range of additional concepts for the expansion. Another key to the cost effectiveness of the car is that engines will also be shared as well manual,automatic and electric drivetrains. Engines will also be shared ranging from three and Four cylinders in both petrol and diesel format.
In distinguishing both cars visually another key factor for BMW is the driving characteristics and how the engineers will go to lengths to make sure that both MINI and the BMW Compact offer an individual driving experience that distinguishes both cars.
The MINI of course will retain it’s typical MINI Go-Kart trademark handling whilst BMW will be looking for a more dynamic approach , both levels of dynamics for both cars are attainable.
