[Jason]

BIMMERPOST NEWS

Next Gen BMW 2 Series Coupe Will Retain RWD Says BMW Chief Engineer

32
COMMENTS

Tweet

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/

[DanG]

Sounds great. I would have hated to see the 2 Series Coupe as a FWD vehicle.

[jmg]

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.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by jmg

I didn't even know that this was in question.

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.

I think BMW would piss off a lot of customers by converting one of their most driver oriented series to a FWD economy poopfest.

They did just that with the 1 Series hatchback, and it sells in greater numbers than the 2 Series Coupe. Of course, the larger target market also means there are plenty of customers who simply don’t care which wheels drive the car.

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.

[Miko M]

All I can say is, “thank you!”

[stvding]

Great.

Now, how about giving us Canadian customers the option to choose a BMW without xDrive? At least for the 3 Series? Come on.

[TheoriginalM2]

Can't wait to see the next gen M2.

[uniqueMR]

Bravo!

[Tracus]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

They did just that with the 1 Series hatchback, and it sells in greater numbers than the 2 Series Coupe. Of course, the larger target market also means there are plenty of customers who simply don’t care which wheels drive the car.

They literally destroyed the 1 Series with FWD. That car was a lot of fun with RWD and true xDrive. Now we get the FWD Haldex mediocre AWD which is a pity.

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.

[SoCali E36]

As it should be

[M3 Adjuster]

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.

[IB M]

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.

[10"]

There is a glimmer of hope. If they retain the manual then there is full hope.

Originally Posted by M3 Adjuster

I don't understand why this is even a difficult decision for BMW.

The reason is simple. They have a waaaaay bigger profit margin off a shared platform volume seller like a FWD 4-door 2er than they do a RWD 4-door 2er.

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...

[M3 Adjuster]

Originally Posted by 10"

The reason is simple. They have a waaaaay bigger profit margin off a shared platform volume seller like a FWD 4-door 2er than they do a RWD 4-door 2er.

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.

[SteveinArizona]

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.

[mbanck]

Originally Posted by M3 Adjuster

As long as there is no compact RWD sedan in the lineup, BMW is simply refusing to take American money.

BMW made those sedans y'all love in the 90s/00s because *everybody in europe drove a sedan (or touring)*. Same thing with the manual - BMW didn't provide 6MT because of some die-hard petrolheads in the US but because *everybody in europe drove a DD with a manual*. Due to catering to US demands (SUVs and automatic), the european automobile supply chain developed automatic transmissions that now rival manual transmissions (for daily driving) and most of the europeans switched to it, as they are switching to SUVs to a large extend.

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.

[ellipsis212]

Originally Posted by stvding

Now, how about giving us Canadian customers the option to choose a BMW without xDrive?

I'm sorry but Canadians will continue to be ostracized until we receive instructions to the contrary.

[GOLFFRR]

well that's good news

[Arcades]

Originally Posted by M3 Adjuster

As long as there is no compact RWD sedan in the lineup, BMW is simply refusing to take American money.

Americans love their damn SUVs. That's why so many manufacturers prioritize the SUV line-up in the states. X1 all the way up to the X7 is what BMW will push in the US. BMW and Benz are catering more to the masses, and they need to for business.

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.

[///M TOWN]

Originally Posted by GOLFFRR

well that's good news

Yes indeed it is good news.

[rainfall]

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!

[TheoriginalM2]

Originally Posted by Tracus

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.

The BMW 1 Series is no longer an ultimate driving machine, that's for sure. Not all others (yet).