Every true BMW driver out there is wondering “why oh why FWD?” I myself, as a hardcore BMW driver, am not really excited about this either but from a commercial perspective it is a good move. The main reason behind this is the Audi A1, Ingolstadt’s promising attack on tiny citycars out there. Also Mercedes is planning on expanding Smart so BMW is in need of bringing a car that can compete in this segment and therefor, for the first time in the history of Bayerische Motoren Werke a FWD car!

Why FWD gets chosen above RWD

It is fairly simple. BMW tried to make the 0-series a RWD car but neither Mercedes nor PSA (they already share motors with them) appeared to be suited partners to develop such a platform with. Then offcourse there is the need to downsize and make it affordable and you have BMW’s motivation to base the 0-series on the current mini platform.

The UKL1 (Untere KomaktLasse), the current project name, will be offered in 3 different ‘flavors’ (3-doors hatch, 5-doors hatch & 2-seater coupé) and will be equipped with the next-gen engines. Two 1.0 3-cil engines (90 & 110bhp) and 1.4 4-cil engines (130,150 & 170 bhp)

The i, BMW’s answer to the Smart

There isn’t much info yet on this project but it is for sure that it will be a true BMW and not a seperate brand.

It will be equiped with an electric motor for city use and a small turbo engine for bigger distances. With a pricetag around 13k euro and 35.000 cars / year it will be a good competitor for the Smart.

Project leader Reithofer stated earlier: “Driver enjoyement comes first….”

Let’s sure hope so.