[Kiwi]

That's if BMW even manufactures a new 2 series. Their is the word from BMW will cut down on some of their small models due to their small profit margin so 3 series could be our new cars if you want a rear drive drivers car.


http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/bmw/1-s...-gen-bmw-hatch

[RoundelM3]

Pure rumor...doubt seriously if they're going to change the current 2 series to a FWD for most markets. The M2 and M240i are very popular, although there are rumors that the 1-series is moving to the MINI chassis that the current X1 is based on. There's also supposed to be a 2-series sedan/GC for the Chinese market that may use that platform as well.

[Viffermike]

Originally Posted by roundel335

Pure rumor...doubt seriously if they're going to change the current 2 series to a FWD for most markets. The M2 and M240i are very popular, although there are rumors that the 1-series is moving to the MINI chassis that the current X1 is based on. There's also supposed to be a 2-series sedan/GC for the Chinese market that may use that platform as well.

China already has the 1 Series sedan, which is FWD and, as quoted from the press release at this link :

"As a supplement to the 5-door hatchback BMW 1 Series models produced in Germany, the brand now adds a sedan to its range in the premium compact segment that was conceived especially for China and solely produced there.

Furthermore, in this link, spy shots of the upcoming new 1 Series indicate that it will be fwd. All one really has to do is look at the type of wheels on the test mule (relatively skinny, high offset, etc.) to realize that the car is almost certainly FWD.

Then there's this point made in the second link (emphasis added): "A study conducted back in 2010 revealed 80 percent of 1 Series owners believed the car had a FWD setup. Perhaps people are more knowledgeable now than they were seven years ago, but it’s unlikely this switch will take its toll on customer demand for BMW’s smallest car."

This does not bode well for 2020, gang.

[fbsm]

What is this now....the 4th or 5th thread speculating the same thing?

[bimmerfile]

[Kiwi]

No rummer or speculation it is fact and as BMW plugin EV grows so will bigger cars grow. BMW has stated all BMW series will have a plugin option. Combine the battery with a 6 cylinder and it will be down below 4 even 3 seconds. I know as my BMW 225xe does 6.7 and even faster from 0-200 meters and it's only a standard 3 cylinder.

[3rdcoast228i]

I don't think the 2 series as we know it is going anywhere any time soon. I think the 2er has been a great success for BMW and it would be stupid to change it drastically right now. Small profit margins aren't so bad when you are pumping out a large volume of product people want to buy.

But companies are known to do stupid things. And of course other factors like emission regulations, drive companies decisions.

[USA-RET]

I read 1 Series will likely see a change to FWD as the Mini Clubman and Conutryman underpinnings are the same. That change actually makes sense The 2 Series appear to remain a RWD platform (except where BMW has intro'd a 2 sized Mini Van) to fill a niche market IMO.

I have a MINI F56 S w/ a JCW tune and the car is a little rocket. FWD w/ near zero torque steer. Not quite sure why there is such disdain for a FWD platform (especially for those w/ snowy winters).

Don't misunderstand me. I love my M240i, but not because it's a RWD car, I love it for it's performance. Whether I'm getting pushed 0-60 in 4.4 or dragged to 60 MPH in 4.4, I'm still going to have a grin on my face. (W/ the Dinan Stage 1, it's more like 0-60 in 4.0 now)

[Kiwi]

The change will not be until 2020-21 if ever. The platform for the new font wheel drive 1 series is new and first used on BMW's Active Tourer then the X1. Mini Countryman is the first Mini to use BMW's new platform.
The 2 series is a very small seller and word from BMW it may be dropped at the end of it's build cycle which is still 2-4 years away.

[chattanooga240]

Originally Posted by Viffermike

Perhaps people are more knowledgeable now than they were seven years ago

Maybe, but that is not where the smart money is.

I'd bet on the 2er going FWD or even more likely is it being dropped completely.