Next Gen BMW 2 Series Coupe Will Retain RWD Says BMW Chief Engineer |
Post Reply |
|
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
07-03-2019, 04:29 PM | #1 |
Administrator
43337
Rep 21,320
Posts |
Next Gen BMW 2 Series Coupe Will Retain RWD Says BMW Chief Engineer
BIMMERPOST NEWS Next Gen BMW 2 Series Coupe Will Retain RWD Says BMW Chief Engineer We've known this for a while now (courtesy of resident product info guru yngulgyn), but BMW’s chief engineer Klaus Fröhlich has now confirmed that the next generation 2 Series Coupe will be RWD. When questioned about the structure of the upcoming i4 at the NextGen 2019 event in Munich recently, Fröhlich responded, “This is our Cluster Architecture [CLAR]. This is in our rear-wheel drive cars; from the 2 successor [and] up to the X7.” This will not apply to the upcoming 2 Series Gran Coupe however, as we already know that it rides on BMW's UKL (FWD/AWD) platform. Per https://www.carscoops.com/2019/07/bm...probably-will/
__________________
Check on the Latest BMW News
Become a fan of Bimmerpost Facebook Follow us on Bimmerpost Twitter Subscribe to Bimmerpost Youtube Channel |
Appreciate
7
|
07-03-2019, 05:12 PM | #3 |
Lieutenant General
19248
Rep 14,239
Posts
Drives: G82 M4C X-Drive
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Orange County, CA
iTrader: (1)
Garage List 2025 BMW M2 [0.00]
2022 G82 M4C X-Drive [9.89] 2018 F80 M3 CS [9.90] 2018 BMW i3 REx [5.00] 2015 BMW i3 REx [0.00] 2016 BMW F80 M3 [7.29] 2016 BMW F30 340i ZTR [10.00] 2013 BMW F30 328i [0.00] 2006 Audi S4 25Quattro [7.00] |
I didn't even know that this was in question. I think BMW would piss off a lot of customers by converting one of their most driver oriented series to a FWD economy poopfest.
__________________
2022 G82///M4 Competition X-Drive - KW-HAS, Millway Race Camber Plates, Cup2 Connect*, PSI High Flow Midpipe, Lightweight Front Lip, M Perf Flow Through Wing Previous • 2018 F80 ///M3 CS • 2016 F80 ///M3 Ordered • 2025 ///M2 |
Appreciate
5
|
07-04-2019, 08:13 AM | #4 | |
Moderator
7539
Rep 19,368
Posts |
It wasn’t really an unknown since we received inside information from yngulgyn years ago that confirmed it, but it is still nice to have official word from BMW.
Quote:
Someday, once EVs have sufficient penetration, everything in the sub-3 lineup will probably move to a RWD platform similar to VW’s MEB. The G42 (the next 2er Coupe) should be in production through approximately 2028. A key point of interest by the middle of next decade will be whether the following generation will coincide with a switch to electric, and if not, will they be able to justify another go on CLAR. Reckoning day is coming across the industry, and there will be a time when enthusiasts need to understand that a vote against EV is a vote for FWD. Personally, I’d take a VW ID.3 or Honda E today over a Golf or Fit today without so much as a second thought, and a big reason for that is that the former are RWD. |
|
Appreciate
1
Roundown583.50 |
07-04-2019, 12:35 PM | #7 |
Major
4096
Rep 1,241
Posts
Drives: BMW F87 M2 CS (6MT)
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Europa
|
Can't wait to see the next gen M2.
__________________
Sometimes, the simplest recipes, done well, with quality ingredients, are the tastiest, - evo Car of the Year 2020
2020 BMW F87 M2 CS - 6MT - Misano Blue Metallic |
Appreciate
1
misanocs0.00 |
07-04-2019, 12:37 PM | #8 |
Colonel
1897
Rep 2,927
Posts |
Bravo!
__________________
Currently: '22 Ferrari F8 | '24 Mercedes G63 | '24 Porsche GT3RS | '24 Volkswagen GTI
Previous BMWs: 340i, 740i, 745Li, M3, M4 Previous Others: Audi, Ducati, Honda, Infiniti, Land Rover, Mercedes-Benz, MINI, Mitsubishi, Porsche, Toyota, Volkswagen |
Appreciate
0
|
07-04-2019, 12:44 PM | #9 | |
Colonel
2744
Rep 2,367
Posts |
Quote:
They sell more because it is a different car (four door hatch) and is of course more appealing to a wider range of customers as the coupe niche is so much smaller. In other words, the four door hatch people have no other choice. BMW is no longer the ultimate driving machine, that's for sure. I see no reason to settle for an expensive FWD hatch. Too many choices out there, and suddenly Audi with its Quattro setting looks already better. Sour conclusion but that's the truth. |
|
07-04-2019, 01:40 PM | #11 |
Banned
7913
Rep 11,785
Posts |
As long as there is no compact RWD sedan in the lineup, BMW is simply refusing to take American money.
E30 - 2 dr coupe and sedan. $$ E36 - 2 dr coupe and sedan. Enthusiasts beg for BMW to make an M3 sedan, and they do from 1997 - 1998. $$$ E46 - 2 dr coupe and sedan. Enthusiasts again beg for BMW to make an M3 sedan, and they roll out the ZHP package for both coupe and sedan which becomes a cult classic. $$$$ (sales could have been $$$$$) E90 - 2 dr coupe and sedan. Enthusiasts are rewarded, and M models of both are made. $$$$$ E82 - 2 dr coupe - no 3 dr or 5 dr RWD variants for the US. 1M becomes a cult model. $$ F22/F87 - 2 dr coupe - no 3 or 5 dr RWD variants for the US. M2 improves on success of 1M. Enthusiasts’ pleas for a sedan/gran coupe are ignored. $$$ (sales could have been $$$$$) F52/F44 - FWD sedan/gran coupe G42/G87 - 2 dr coupe - see F22/F87 I think the decision to have a FWD F44 2 Series Gran Coupe alongside the RWD G42 2 Series Coupe makes absolutely no sense. I can't fathom why BMW wouldn't want to make a RWD 2 Series Sedan on the CLAR platform with an M2 Sedan based on it. Do they not see the Mercedes CLA45, Audi RS3, the lackluster Lexus IS 300 F Sport, and the lack of a Porsche in this class as an awesome opportunity to build a compact RWD sports sedan that will beat the pants off the competition? I don't understand why this is even a difficult decision for BMW. |
Appreciate
5
|
07-04-2019, 01:41 PM | #12 |
Brigadier General
2841
Rep 4,301
Posts
Drives: 2013 M3 6MT
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: North Carolina
|
Good decision BMW.
In other news, building on recent brand momentum and to solidify brand recognition, the new 2 series front grills will be even bigger than those on the new 7 series. |
Appreciate
0
|
07-04-2019, 02:27 PM | #13 | |
Colonel
5108
Rep 2,297
Posts |
There is a glimmer of hope. If they retain the manual then there is full hope.
Quote:
The coupe is not a volume seller per se; so they can afford a smaller margin but they can't do it on the sedan which will sell significantly more than the coupe. Do I agree with their decision? NO. I don't even think there should be ANY FWD BMWs. Period. But that's how the business works...
__________________
don't read this. too late...
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
07-04-2019, 02:44 PM | #14 |
Banned
7913
Rep 11,785
Posts |
A 2 Series and M2 Gran Coupe, either F2x/F8x or G4x/G8x *would be* on a shared platform with the respective F22/F87 or G42/G87.
|
Appreciate
0
|
07-04-2019, 03:16 PM | #15 |
Brigadier General
3099
Rep 4,210
Posts |
Congratulations BMW. A FWD 2 Series would not be very attractive to me. But the RWD 2 Series looks great.
I think the move to FWD for the 1 Series may be a function of size. Small cars are more impacted by the drive tunnel taking up space than in a bigger car. |
Appreciate
0
|
07-04-2019, 03:38 PM | #16 | |
Captain
822
Rep 852
Posts |
Quote:
So now there is no huge european demand backing up the US petrolhead's niche demands and those are getting increasingly axed (I6 RWD hatchbacks, smaller than G20 RWD sedans, 6MT etc.) So maybe complain to the US population 1980-2010 more than to the BMW C-levels who have to keep BMW profitable. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
07-04-2019, 03:48 PM | #17 |
Colonel
1674
Rep 2,184
Posts |
|
Appreciate
0
|
07-04-2019, 03:50 PM | #18 |
11148
Rep 27,909
Posts |
well that's good news
__________________
BEFORE YOU BUY YOUR NEXT BMW, EMAIL OUR GUY KOTE FIRST! Kote M Sales:Kotem@bmwofcamarillo.com Cell:805-368-9101 vipfinance@bmwofcamarillo.com for warranties! |
Appreciate
1
///M TOWN31955.50 |
07-04-2019, 04:01 PM | #19 | |
In The Rain
8702
Rep 6,507
Posts
Drives: '24 GT4RS, '24 Macan GTS
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: SoCal
|
Quote:
No matter how important the G20 is to BMW as a whole, it won't outsell the X3 anymore, at least not here. The CLA and A3 aren't volume sellers here either, the GLA, Q3, and X1 are. Sedans simply don't sell like they used to. Their monthly sales numbers say it clearly. SUVs are the thing here, not sedans.
__________________
'24 Porsche Cayman GT4RS Arctic Grey "Alice"
'24 Porsche Macan GTS Dolomite Silver "Gina" |
|
Appreciate
1
scrammer424.50 |
07-04-2019, 09:58 PM | #21 |
First Lieutenant
166
Rep 395
Posts |
Well, that makes total sense now. They can do 1 series FWD to compete with the entry level luxury then keep 2 series RWD for people who really like to drive. Thanks BMW!
|
Appreciate
1
M3 Adjuster7912.50 |
07-04-2019, 11:25 PM | #22 |
Major
4096
Rep 1,241
Posts
Drives: BMW F87 M2 CS (6MT)
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Europa
|
The BMW 1 Series is no longer an ultimate driving machine, that's for sure. Not all others (yet).
__________________
Sometimes, the simplest recipes, done well, with quality ingredients, are the tastiest, - evo Car of the Year 2020
2020 BMW F87 M2 CS - 6MT - Misano Blue Metallic |
Appreciate
1
misanocs0.00 |
Post Reply |
Bookmarks |
|
|