Front-wheel-drive BMW 1-Series GT concept headed for Paris: report

By Tim Beissmann
June 12th, 2012

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The first front-wheel-drive BMW in history will reportedly make its international debut at September’s 2012 Paris motor show.

The UK’s Autocar reports the landmark model, expected to be the BMW 1-Series GT, will be unveiled as a concept in Paris, previewing the production model that is due in late 2014.

Like BMW’s existing 5-Series GT and its upcoming 3-Series GT, the new model is expected to have a ground-hugging stance and a boosted seating position, and incorporate a rear-end design that blurs the lines between conventional sedan, wagon, hatch and SUV profiles.

The new model appears set to expand BMW’s 1-Series line-up rather than replace the current hatch (pictured above), which launched internationally and locally in 2011.

Destined to compete with the Mercedes-Benz B-Class compact MPV, the new BMW will share its front-wheel-drive platform with the all-new third-generation Mini Cooper, which is also due in 2014.

Both BMW Group vehicles will benefit from the manufacturer’s upcoming turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine, while four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines and a hybrid powertrain are also on the cards. BMW’s xDrive all-wheel-drive system will expected to be available as an option to the controversial front-drive layout.

Earlier this year, a source from Mini told CarAdvice the two upcoming front-wheel-drive cars would have their own unique characters, and insisted the next Mini Cooper hatch would be more fun to drive than its German cousin.

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Saltypigeon

First it was action movies cutting out the violence to get a milder rating, then came video games getting shorter and dumber to cater for less nerdy types, now BMW is doing front wheel drive. This world’s gone soft.
- F1MotoGP
  
  Nothing wrong with FWD.
  - Smart US
    
    u need to change your name or mind or I tell your mama u using internet again… back to home work
  - Owler
    
    Sure there is; the lack of drive to the rear wheels.
- Shak
  
  BMW have proven with the current MINI that they know and understand a proper FWD chassis. It was only a matter of time before the BMW line up got FWD.
gt86.com.au

now they can finally compete with Audi.. and make their vehicles cheaper. why not.. only enthusiasts care about RWD anyways.
- Daniel
  
  How are they not currently competing with Audi? BMW sell far more cars and most of their Audi competitors are currently the same price but with RWD in FWD.
Simon Dale

This is another example of how BMW have lost their way. They are moving from the core brand values which made them so successful up to the end of the 20th century. BMW were a company who made excellent driving machines which where were conservative but stylish. Alienate the customers at your BMW.
- Simon Dale
  
  This is another example of how BMW have lost their way. They are moving
  from the core brand values which made them so successful up to the end
  of the 20th century. BMW were a company who made excellent driving
  machines which were conservative but stylish. Alienate the
  customers at your peril BMW.
- Smart US
  
  where is the – Have you seen F1 FWD???
Schn

If BMW can keep the ‘ultimate driving machine’ characteristics that define their cars, and make it FWD then why not! Be more competitive in pricing too. Most people don’t know the difference between FWD and RWD anyway. Interesting to see what they mean by incorporating a rear-end design that blurs the lines between conventional sedan, wagon, hatch and SUV profiles, sounds a bit like the hatchbacks designs that you don’t see these days as much anymore being built, like the Saab 93 hatches, although I think Honda sort of still does.
- Dave S
  
  I would still suggest people do know the difference between FWD and RWD (in decribed in the name). People seem to care more about price though. Why are BMW trying to sell their ‘ultimate driving machines’ to people who dont enjoy driving and care more about price?
  
  I am waiting for the Ads on TV that say: …’hurry it’s a BMW sell out’.
  - Wilo
    
    A recent survey……. UK magazine Autocar reports based on a BMW survey revealed recently by BMW’s CEO Norbert Reithofer that four out of five BMW 1-series drivers think their car is front-wheel drive.
    I think BMW are venturing away from their Core Values, but if Apple never didn’t do the same, then we probably would’t have iPhone or iPad etc. You need to evolve with the market and stay true to your principals. I will miss the straight 6′s too.
Smart US

its a marketing spin… Mini does not drive like BMW coz its different car altogether… do they understand FWD – yes maybe as much as VW… but do you pay for FWD??? that MUCH??? where the blood hell is “did you see F1 driving FWD”???
Shak

I think posters on here need to clam down. BMW is not moving all of its vehicles over to FWD platforms. I’m pretty sure everything from the 1 Series up will still have RWD. Besides in a car the size of a 1 Series, RWD really does rob a lot of valuable room inside the car. BMW realise a lot of people buying in this segment arent looking for ‘The Ultimate Driving Machine’, they just want a BMW roundel, so why not give it to them at a cheaper price, with more space and better fuel efficiency. Its a win win for everyone. BMW get to move more units and make more money, Badge Snobs can finally park that Bimmer in their driveways, and proper enthusiasts can still have access to the real drivers cars higher up in the range.
- Bones
  
  Badge snobs ?
  Do you wear only K-Mart & Target clothes Shak…or are you a clothes snob ?
twincharger

Hope this is only a oneoff.Lets be honest front wheel drive is cheap and tacky,no place in the BMW lineup.
- Shak
  
  Tell that to the Megane RS250.
  - twincharger
    
    Cant argue about the Megane250 Shak.Also can understand an entry level FWD BMW.Would guess that 90% of passenger sedans are FWD.With BMW offering a rear wheel drive option for there customers for The Ultimate Driving Machien..
john

A FWD car from the automaker that said “FWD is the work of the Devil”. BMW you have sold your soul!
Vins

I don’t know about the rest. I buy BMW because they are RWD, especially 3 series, you couldn’t find this size with RWD in other manufacturers. If they go FWD, what are they so different then Audi? And Audi is judged to have more blinks.
Daniel

Well, I won’t get angry over something I have no control over, but I am a bit disappointed in BMW for doing what they said they never would. I think they’ve lost their way a bit, ever since the X5 M and the 5 GT, their cars have just seemed a bit confused, and now they release a car that won’t even have any technical advantage over a Golf or a Focus. Hmmm…
Andrew

It’s all in the name of fuel economy. FWD is more efficient than RWD and with Euro6 and Euro7 coming up all brands will need a high volume efficient vehicle so that we can enjoy being able to still buy the high performance models. The new standards are so tight on economy and CO2 that every little gain in efficiency is crucial.
GIG

WOW! What a stupid decision by BMW…
- PROJET-L
  
  What a stupid comment
PROJET-L

The only thing that remains constant is change…
- Smart US
  
  oxymoron
Aaargh

In the ultra competitive car market we have today BMW are fools to dilute the brand. So what if dopey social climbers don’t know if they’re driving a tugger or not – street cred is somewhat of a given with BMW and you give it up at your peril.

If the Bavarians were really so good they would have found a way to stay RWD and still build econoboxes – in-wheel electrics or chain drives etc.

Anything but me-tooism

Bozo Motoren Wenkablasters
kak

bmw shouldn’t turn to front wheel drive .noooooo.its a deviation from the traditional kick in the back feel we get when you gas the pedal..whats going to happen to the power slides and drifts..its a sad day in bmw history. true bmw fans should reject FWD vehicles
Kkboakye305

i got the e39 m5 because of it RWD drive train..now am thinking of getting the one series jus cos its rwd and not because its prettier than audi a3, golf 6, volvo c30, scirocco,opel astra. there wouldnt b any difference between the bmw and the rest of the cars..bmw promised us never to go fwd,what happened.now dey r conforming to world pressures..FWD is the root of all evil..theres nothin lyk power sliding your beamer through the curves…so so so so sad
Paul

Could you imagine a fwd Z4? Jeez wayne. What’s next from bmw??