[SCOTT26]

The Revolutionary...1.

BMW Compactive Sports Tourer Concept is literally a few short weeks away [at the 2012 Paris Motor Show at the end of September].

We can consider the BMW i3 to be a revolutionary concept in terms of design and drivetrain but the term revolutionary can also be applied to the first of BMW's venture into FWD territory.

The sketch is what happens when you spend more than a few minutes on putting something to paper quickly.

Like any sketch whether in automotive , architectural or even interior design you first sketch your idea , only when you are happy with that idea you can begin to make it more realistic in terms of proprtions , height, light , packaging , surface elements etc. till eventually you end up with something resembling the description of the marketing brief.

Sometimes sketches lure you into a self-style of belief that this car is going to really , really sleek. (think of the first Panamera sketches) and then once you have to take aerodynamics and packaging into consideration it comes out the opposite you initially expected.

The BMW Compactive Sport Tourer has to be tall in order to suit the required interior packaging , light is extremely important to this car so an effective glasshouse helps to shrink down some of the overhangs.

A typical BMW sloping roof identifies the sporting character of the BMW design philosophy. The front design inherits the classic BMW impression of double headlights and a slightly less wide but more taller kidney grille that lay its intentions that although the drivetrain is different we still have a BMW right down to that wheel at each corner look.

The surface work and initial characterline reminds us that this is a part of the 1er family so elements are inherited and interpreted into a larger concept. The main purpose of the Compactive Sport Tourer is increased space helped by the move to FWD so space is better used all around the interior.

The drivetrain also lends itself to the MINI brand which will allow the engineers to tune the car's dynamics to each of their brands expectations. For BMW it has been a tough nut to crack but the engineers have come to a satisfactory conclusion that typical BMW driving communication and character is not lost in the translation to FWD.

The CST will also share its DNA with the MINI Traveller a car that will disguise its shared platform , electronics , components, engines etc with its own appearance of typical MINI design and bespoke switchgear.

Individuality is key for both vehicles to successful with the customer who could be choosing such a vehicle as their first BMW or MINI product.

Paris Debut

In a few short weeks we will see the Concept prior to its premiere in Paris, I should warn you though that the initial prototypes we see have excess vacumed plastic padding underneath the swirl camouflage so it loses the organic shape that lies underneath including the character line and design lines in the lower areas of the car which bring its proportions into effect. It is in reality a very good looking car and will be a very direct rival for the B-Klasse ,Mercedes which is enjoying huge success in Europe currently.

Of course we know that people will dismiss this car as not a true BMW, and that in an act of rage we will probably expect some M3 owners to burn their keys in protest. As of the renders some are way off in another direction for example it is not going to be a 6er turned into a small concept.

The BMW FWD cars are designed to be a break from the norm , a sort of reimagining of the volume car.
Each concept is designed to appeal to the customer who wants to feel that difference and also wants to stand out.

BMW CST , BMW City Compactive and BMW F.A.S.T. are individual concepts that distinguish themselves from other volume cars , looks are one thing but the engineers have managed to find that BMW feel transition to Fwd.

The new FWD family also brings MINI into a more profitable arrangement than previously.

The combined MINI / BMW FWD family also allows more concepts to come from the same modular architecture.

[bimmerjph]

It's going to have a longitudinal mounted engine correct? I swear I read that somewhere.

[SCOTT26]

Originally Posted by Sol01

what a load of markeing bull.... revolutionary FWD car

Revolutionary in terms for BMW. FWD is revolutionary for BMW.
Packaging in the CST is also revolutionary for a BMW.

Sales Volume? You are possibly looking at what could become BMW's best or one of their best selling models , this concept for BMW is the most demanded in europe , a BMW for large family units.
BMW can now increase MINI profits due to the platform, technology, drivetrain sharing with MINI which will see BMW's profit margin increase by a considerable margin.

Direct rival for the Mercedes-Benz B-Klasse which is enjoying huge success in Europe at the current time.
Audi now scared at the prospect of this growing market for premium space vehicles and are developing an A3 vario based on the VW Touran .

[hector]

speaking of fwd, mini/bmw etc., when do i get my z2?

[Fahadm]

I really don't like the direction BMW is going with making FWD cars. BMW has been making minis for a while now, and that was their FWD platform, but expanding that to the 1 series that has been such a iconic car, in my opinion is just stupid.

[e46e92love]

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

Revolutionary in terms for BMW. FWD is revolutionary for BMW.
Packaging in the CST is also revolutionary for a BMW.

Sales Volume? You are possibly looking at what could become BMW's best or one of their best selling models , this concept for BMW is the most demanded in europe , a BMW for large family units.
BMW can now increase MINI profits due to the platform, technology, drivetrain sharing with MINI which will see BMW's profit margin increase by a considerable margin.

Direct rival for the Mercedes-Benz B-Klasse which is enjoying huge success in Europe at the current time.
Audi now scared at the prospect of this growing market for premium space vehicles and are developing an A3 vario based on the VW Touran .

FAIL. Its not the size that people have a problem with, its the FWD part.


Cheers,
e46e92

[ManiacGT]

BMWs marketing department is amazing, they can spin shit into gold. Revolutionary ReImagining of FWD... er you mean like everyone did years ago and you brain washed us then that RWD was the only way forward?

I've been a BMW owner too long, time to look for another brand, their quality is going down the pan and their marketing is full of bull crap brainwashing.

Good luck to them, my hard earned is going somewhere else next time.

[Hoosiers]

Originally Posted by ManiacGT

BMWs marketing department is amazing, they can spin shit into gold. Revolutionary ReImagining of FWD... er you mean like everyone did years ago and you brain washed us then that RWD was the only way forward?

I've been a BMW owner too long, time to look for another brand, their quality is going down the pan and their marketing is full of bull crap brainwashing.

Good luck to them, my hard earned is going somewhere else next time.

I agree. Although I will root for BMW in most comparisons, I feel BMW is going where the American automotive companies went entering the 1970's. On top of the world, great vehicles, then rested on their laurels and tried brainwashing the public that FWD 4 cylinders were the way to go. Goodbye old friend.

[ATX78703]

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

For BMW it has been a tough nut to crack but the engineers have come to a satisfactory conclusion that typical BMW driving communication and character is not lost in the translation to FWD.

Yeah, good luck with that....

Originally Posted by Sol01

what a load of markeing bull.... revolutionary FWD car

+1, besides; doesn't BMW build the MINI brand anyway? so this isn't some new thing

Originally Posted by bimmerjph

It's going to have a longitudinal mounted engine correct? I swear I read that somewhere.

Is that even possible?

[aajami]

While it's good that BMW is finally realizing that the market wants smaller and lighter cars, not bigger and heavier machines (hello, F30), it's a sad day when it expects people to be excited over a FWD platform.

[SomeRandomer123]

Originally Posted by aajami

While it's good that BMW is finally realizing that the market wants smaller and lighter cars, not bigger and heavier machines (hello, F30), it's a sad day when it expects people to be excited over a FWD platform.

Actually although it is slightly larger, the F30 is considerably lighter than the E90.

Otherwise, I completely agree with you! FWD is worse the RWD in almost every aspect apart from snow. However, depending on balance and the driver, RWD may actually prove to be better! Certainly more fun if you can get it moving!

[Iron Man]

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

Revolutionary in terms for BMW. FWD is revolutionary for BMW.
Packaging in the CST is also revolutionary for a BMW.

Sales Volume? You are possibly looking at what could become BMW's best or one of their best selling models , this concept for BMW is the most demanded in europe , a BMW for large family units.
BMW can now increase MINI profits due to the platform, technology, drivetrain sharing with MINI which will see BMW's profit margin increase by a considerable margin.

Direct rival for the Mercedes-Benz B-Klasse which is enjoying huge success in Europe at the current time.
Audi now scared at the prospect of this growing market for premium space vehicles and are developing an A3 vario based on the VW Touran .

I thought the whole idea of luxury and premium is for exclusivity. Pushing volume and diluting the brand in the name of increasing profits, while following the sheeple, sounds like Accountants are running the show. You can see where that got GM, Chrysler, etc.

Brand is all about the product, and last I seen FWD cars are not "Ultimate Driving Machines", which is supposedly all BMW builds according to their ads. So, what will BMW's new slogan be...

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by SomeRandomer123

Actually although it is slightly larger, the F30 is considerably lighter than the E90.

Otherwise, I completely agree with you! FWD is worse the RWD in almost every aspect apart from snow. However, depending on balance and the driver, RWD may actually prove to be better! Certainly more fun if you can get it moving!

Define: considerably lighter... Only the new F30 328i is slightly lighter, by a few pounds. The new 335i actually weighs in more than the old e90 model.


http://www.f30post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=598641

[Emil]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

Define: considerably lighter... Only the new F30 328i is slightly lighter, by a few pounds. The new 335i actually weighs in more than the old e90 model.


http://www.f30post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=598641

The thread you quoted says F30 335i is lighter than the E90 335i

BTT: Front wheel drive sucks. End of story.

[aajami]

Originally Posted by SomeRandomer123

Actually although it is slightly larger, the F30 is considerably lighter than the E90.

You are correct that the F30 is a bit lighter than the E90, but I would hardly call those savings considerable.

F30 328i w/ 6MT is the same weight as the E90 it replaces.
F30 335i w/ 6MT is 55lbs. lighter
F30 328i w/ 8AT is 11 lbs. lighter
F30 335i w/ 8AT is 66 lbs. lighter

The biggest weight savings yield an improvement of 1.8%. Kudos to BMW for moving in the right direction in that department, but again, that's hardly considerable.

[M ETT]

However much I can understand that BMW is a company and as such in the business of making money and thus have to make cars they can sell a lot of and talk all day about economics of scale and what have you...
I completely fail to understand why Scott is trying to market a FWD platform on this forum. This is a forum for enthusiasts, we will probably never like a FWD BMW.
Let the masses that don't even care buy FWD Bimmers but don't try to convince anyone here that FWD is a good thing.
My 2 cents here ...

[ovekvam]

Originally Posted by SomeRandomer123

FWD is worse the RWD in almost every aspect apart from snow. However, depending on balance and the driver, RWD may actually prove to be better! Certainly more fun if you can get it moving!

I think I could live with FWD as a commuter car in the summer, but when driving in snow, I need RWD!

[Imola.ZHP]

*yawn*

Please get over it guys, FWD BMW's are on the way, and technically have already been here for some time *cough* Mini *cough.*

[Schm]

BMW cannot let Audi and BMW continue to dominate the burgeoning small luxury car segment. While I know a lot of this sounds like marketing bs, I think BMW can adequately transition the "Ultimate Driving Machine" philosophy into small front-drivers. From what I have heard, the A1 and MB A and B klasses are quite good cars. BMW should not rest on it's laurels, especially with the 3 and 5 growing in weight and dimension every generation. Plus, these small, entry level cars are hopefully very good and lead consumers to later transition into BM's more expensive offerings.

[dmboone25]

Originally Posted by ManiacGT

BMWs marketing department is amazing, they can spin shit into gold. Revolutionary ReImagining of FWD... er you mean like everyone did years ago and you brain washed us then that RWD was the only way forward?

I've been a BMW owner too long, time to look for another brand, their quality is going down the pan and their marketing is full of bull crap brainwashing.

Good luck to them, my hard earned is going somewhere else next time.

I have to agree--just said the same basic thing (over different reasoning) in the M2-I4/I6 debate on the 1addicts page.

I feel like I will really be looking elsewhere next time...and my last 4 cars have been BMWs...

[Superspeed]

Originally Posted by dmboone25

I feel like I will really be looking elsewhere next time...and my last 4 cars have been BMWs...

The problem is that there are no other manufacturers left in the RWD compact car market. If you want a compact car in the future it will be FWD (or AWD). And if so you might just as well buy it from BMW

Let's hope they at least keep one sporty RWD niche car for the enthusiasts, paralel to the FWD platform. Toyota just reintroduced RWD on a niche model. If the Japanese see this business oportunity, why not BMW?

BMW Group should let Mini take care of the FWD business (where they do a good job) and let the BMW brand take RWD to even higher levels, loyal to it's heritage and faithful customers.

But what do I know, being just a simple engineer and not a fancy marketing expert

[Dackelone]

BMW can call this car whatever they want to FWD 1er, 1er GT, MB B-class fighter, ect..). Most of us can't stand the thought of a FWD BMW!! To me its the mini van that has been reported for years - coming to a market near you soon!