Audi BMW

BMW’s front-wheel drive future vehicles subject comes back in focus. Automobile Magazine gives us some new insight into the future FWD bimmers and what we should we expect to see.

In the recent months, BMW executives have confirmed that BMW brand is strong enough to branch out into building front-wheel drive cars and their ability to build sporty, dynamic cars even with different core values.

As we mentioned back in 2009 and reiterated now by AutomobileMag, BMW will develop its front-wheel-drive portfolio simultaneously with the next-generation MINI lineup on the UKL1 architecture. The collaboration will result in three BMW-MINI pairings with each set distinguished by a unique door arrangement. The ULK1 architecture offers both front- and all-wheel drive. (See “A Brief history of front-wheel drive” )

Rendering BMW 1 Series Gran Turismo

The first vehicles will arrive in 2013 and according to the magazine, BMW Joy and MINI Clubman will open the way. Joy is rumored to be the internal name of the 1 Series Gran Turismo, a vehicle that has been highly debated by BMWBLOG as well.

While the news of a 1 Series GT are past the rumors stage, we feel obligated to point out once again that quoting our BMW sources, the 1 Series family will continue to feature a rear-wheel drive platform. Several other BMW models around the 1 Series are indeed prime candidates for FWD.

BMW will differentiate Joy from the Clubman, with the latter one getting two full-length, rear-hinged aft doors and retain the split barn doors for the tailgate.

Another new model mentioned by the magazine is the BMW Compact Activity Tourer. These vehicles feature four conventional doors and large single-piece tailgates, but the higher roofs to lend them a more utilitarian look that’s more crossover than car.

BMW FAV or Family Activity Vehicle Sporster, and MINI Traveller are two other family-oriented vehicles that are said to be part of BMW’s future plans. Both the BMW and MINI models are to be family- and leisure-oriented, boasting sliding rear doors, longer rear overhangs, and super-flexible interiors.

Engine wise, the long-time rumored three-cylinder engines are most likely going to power entry level MINI vehicles. The super sporty and enthusiasts’ oriented Cooper S and Johm Cooper Works will continue to utilize more powerful engines.

Making things even more exciting for BMW and MINI fans, AutomobileMagazine reports on a turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder producing 272 hp. The volume-model gas and diesel three-cylinders would be good for up to 184 hp and 122 hp, respectively.

BMW chairman Norbert Reithofer notes that selling three-cylinder MINIs may present a challenge: “Although the three is definitely an up-and-coming thing, some markets like North America may be skeptical in how far down you can go. For our rear-wheel cars, fours and sixes have therefore a clear mid-term priority.”

At the moment, the veracity of these news has yet to be confirmed by our sources, and we continue to believe that the new 1 Series family will certainly remain a rear-wheel drive business, but at the same time, new niche BMW products around the segment may appear in a FWD setup.

[Source: Automobile Mag | Photo - Andrei Avarvarii for Automarket ]

A new rendering of the BMW 1 Series Gran Turismo shows up on the interwebs. This time, the fellows over at MotorAuthority take their turn at drawing, the yet-to-be confirmed BMW 1 Series GT.

Compared to the previous attempts, this one seems to reflect more the proportions and design lines of the 5 GT, but we certainly expect the 1 GT to follow a different design path.

The 1 GT is rumored to launch in 2012 and uses a new modular platform that underpins the upcoming 1 Series models. The backbone of these models was designed especially for this purpose so every model can have a variation backbone, simply be moving suspension points and firewalls to areas that will benefit each vehicle.

BMW 1 Series GT will be a 5-door vehicle, a mix between a hatch, wagon and sedan. 1 GT will be 2 inches (5cm) longer than the 3-door and 5-door models, but it will sport an unique front-end. To reflect the Gran Turismo design, the 1 GT will have an elevated driving position, as seen in the 5 Gran Turismo.

Inside, the 1 Series GT should provide an alternative between two individual rear seats separated by a central console or the classic rear seats setup.

Our sources indicate that new three and four turbo engines will be used across the 1 Series models, from a 1.3 liter engine with 136 horsepower to a new 1.3-liter turbo powerplant developing 177 horsepower. The gasoline version, dubbed N30, comes in displacements of 1.2 and 1.5 liters with power up to 184 horsepower.

[Source: MotorAuthority | Schulte Design ]

Thanks for the tip Andy!

Next year, BMW will unveil their new generation 1 Series. Built under the codename F20, the 2012 BMW 1 Series will first launch in a hatchback variant. The new BMW 1 Series hatchback model will feature a slightly longer wheelbase and wider track than the current model.

It will be available in three and five door variants with both models using the new modular/expendable platform. The backbone of these models was designed especially for this purpose so every model can have a variation backbone, simply be moving suspension points and firewalls to areas that will benefit each vehicle. Corroborated with more parts sharing, this new approach will allow BMW to reduce even more the production costs.

The three and five-door hatch will only be available in Europe, but coupe and convertible variants will make their way onto the U.S. soil.

Rendering by Automobile Magazine

Starting in 2013, BMW will add two more 1 Series variants to their line-up, and rumors around a front-wheel drive, and even xDrive, continue to surface monthly. To generate enough volume, BMW will link its FWD/AWD newcomers to the third-edition MINI, which happens to debut almost simultaneously.

Rendering by Automarket

The following year, BMW plants to introduce a Gran Turismo version of the new 1 Series. Dubbed 1 Series GT, the new model will be a 5-door vehicle, a mix between a hatch, wagon and sedan. 1 GT will be 2 inches (5cm) longer than the 3-door and 5-door models, but it will sport an unique front-end. To reflect the Gran Turismo design, the 1 GT will have an elevated driving position, as seen in the 5 Gran Turismo. Inside, the 1 Series GT should provide an alternative between two individual rear seats separated by a central console or the classic rear seats setup.

Its fastback body follows the tone set by the 5-series Gran Turismo and upcoming 3-series GT due in 2013.

Starting in 2013, however, BMW will add two more 1-series variants, this time with a choice of front- or all-wheel drive, thereby following a recipe chosen by Audi for the A3 and by Mercedes for the next A-/B-class. For enhanced synergy effects, even the body styles offered by the two brands are closely related. There’s a , and a fastback BMW that shares its vehicle structure with next Mini Clubman.

But an interesting report comes today from the fellows over at Automobile Magazine. Along with the above renderings, Automobile Magazine launches an hypothesis of even more 1 Series variants. One of them, a high-roof 1-series model, for instance, that relates to the upcoming MiniVan, and it is being referred to as the Compact Activity Tourer (CAT).

“That more pragmatic role will be played by the – relatively – higher-roofed Compact Activity Tourer (CAT). Although CAT is in fact a broad-shouldered low-slung mid-size minivan not unlike the new Opel Meriva, nobody inside BMW calls it that. Instead, SportsCruiser is a possible designation; Family Activity Vehicle (FAV) is another. Like the MiniVan, CAT has four conventionally hinged doors, a flexible seating arrangement, and an extended rear overhang for extra luggage space.”, mentions Automobile Magazine.

Even further, apparently the entire project is still masterminded by BMW, not MINI. The modular matrix is sure to use an independent suspension front and rear, variable-ratio electro-hydraulic steering, a low-friction lightweight version of xDrive (not the Countryman AWD hardware) and a mix of three- and four-cylinder engines.

Our sources indicate that new three and four turbo engines will be used across the 1 Series models, from a 1.3 liter engine with 136 horsepower to a new 1.3-liter turbo powerplant developing 177 horsepower. The gasoline version, dubbed N30, comes in displacements of 1.2 and 1.5 liters with power output of ranging from 70 to 184 horsepower.

At the high-end of the line-up, the 135i will be using the N55 Twin-Scroll engine.

In the diesel segment, a new three-cylinder 1.5 liter N37 engine will have a power output ranging from 110 to 125 horsepower.

The threes-cylinder engines will use about 10 percent less fuel.

A new BMW 1 Series Hatchback Concept is rumored to be unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2011.

[Renderings by Automobile Magazine and Automarket ]

Update: A source close to the company mentions that the 1 Series and 3 Series will continue down the path of rear-wheel drive platforms and at this moment, it is unclear what naming convention will any future front-wheel drive models carry. Any news around a 1 Series FWD are speculative at the moment.

Next year, BMW will unveil their new generation 1 Series. Built under the codename F20, the 2012 BMW 1 Series will first launch in a hatchback variant. The new BMW 1 Series hatchback model will feature a slightly longer wheelbase and wider track than the current model.

It will be available in three and five door variants with both models using the new modular/expendable platform. The backbone of these models was designed especially for this purpose so every model can have a variation backbone, simply be moving suspension points and firewalls to areas that will benefit each vehicle. Corroborated with more parts sharing, this new approach will allow BMW to reduce even more the production costs.

The three and five-door hatch will only be available in Europe, but coupe and convertible variants will make their way onto the U.S. soil.

Rendering by Automobile Magazine

Starting in 2013, BMW will add two more 1 Series variants to their line-up, and rumors around a front-wheel drive, and even xDrive, continue to surface monthly. To generate enough volume, BMW will link its FWD/AWD newcomers to the third-edition MINI, which happens to debut almost simultaneously.

Rendering by Automarket

The following year, BMW plants to introduce a Gran Turismo version of the new 1 Series. Dubbed 1 Series GT, the new model will be a 5-door vehicle, a mix between a hatch, wagon and sedan. 1 GT will be 2 inches (5cm) longer than the 3-door and 5-door models, but it will sport an unique front-end. To reflect the Gran Turismo design, the 1 GT will have an elevated driving position, as seen in the 5 Gran Turismo. Inside, the 1 Series GT should provide an alternative between two individual rear seats separated by a central console or the classic rear seats setup.

Its fastback body follows the tone set by the 5-series Gran Turismo and upcoming 3-series GT due in 2013.

Starting in 2013, however, BMW will add two more 1-series variants, this time with a choice of front- or all-wheel drive, thereby following a recipe chosen by Audi for the A3 and by Mercedes for the next A-/B-class. For enhanced synergy effects, even the body styles offered by the two brands are closely related. There’s a , and a fastback BMW that shares its vehicle structure with next Mini Clubman.

But an interesting report comes today from the fellows over at Automobile Magazine. Along with the above renderings, Automobile Magazine launches an hypothesis of even more 1 Series variants. One of them, a high-roof 1-series model, for instance, that relates to the upcoming MiniVan, and it is being referred to as the Compact Activity Tourer (CAT).

“That more pragmatic role will be played by the – relatively – higher-roofed Compact Activity Tourer (CAT). Although CAT is in fact a broad-shouldered low-slung mid-size minivan not unlike the new Opel Meriva, nobody inside BMW calls it that. Instead, SportsCruiser is a possible designation; Family Activity Vehicle (FAV) is another. Like the MiniVan, CAT has four conventionally hinged doors, a flexible seating arrangement, and an extended rear overhang for extra luggage space.”, mentions Automobile Magazine.

Even further, apparently the entire project is still masterminded by BMW, not MINI. The modular matrix is sure to use an independent suspension front and rear, variable-ratio electro-hydraulic steering, a low-friction lightweight version of xDrive (not the Countryman AWD hardware) and a mix of three- and four-cylinder engines.

Our sources indicate that new three and four turbo engines will be used across the 1 Series models, from a 1.3 liter engine with 136 horsepower to a new 1.3-liter turbo powerplant developing 177 horsepower. The gasoline version, dubbed N30, comes in displacements of 1.2 and 1.5 liters with power output of ranging from 70 to 184 horsepower.

At the high-end of the line-up, the 135i will be using the N55 Twin-Scroll engine.

In the diesel segment, a new three-cylinder 1.5 liter N37 engine will have a power output ranging from 110 to 125 horsepower.

The threes-cylinder engines will use about 10 percent less fuel.

A new BMW 1 Series Hatchback Concept is rumored to be unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2011.

[Renderings by Automobile Magazine and Automarket ]

Another new addition to the BMW family is the BMW 1 Series Gran Turismo. Built on the next generation 1 Series platform, the 1 GT is rumored to launch in 2012. While most of the details are sketchy at the moment, there are quite a few details that funneled through our inbox.

The BMW 1 Series GT uses a new modular platform available for all the upcoming 1 Series models. The backbone of these models was designed especially for this purpose so every model can have a variation backbone, simply be moving suspension points and firewalls to areas that will benefit each vehicle. Corroborated with more parts sharing, this new approach will allow BMW to reduce even more the production costs.

BMW 1 Series GT will be a 5-door vehicle, a mix between a hatch, wagon and sedan. 1 GT will be 2 inches (5cm) longer than the 3-door and 5-door models, but it will sport an unique front-end. To reflect the Gran Turismo design, the 1 GT will have an elevated driving position, as seen in the 5 Gran Turismo.

Inside, the 1 Series GT should provide an alternative between two individual rear seats separated by a central console or the classic rear seats setup.The French magazine continues to speculate that the car will be powered by a four-cylinder turbo engine, developing anywhere from 204 to 240 horsepower. The first GT models are rumored to carry the 123i GT and 125i GT naming convention.

Hybrid variants are strongly considered and the second stage of BMW’s EfficientDynamics program will bring new options and technologies which will be implemented across the whole 1 Series portfolio, and not only.

Based on some of these preliminary information, the German folks over at AutoBild sketched out a rendering of what the BMW 1 Series GT might look like.