[ovekvam]

I think this car could also be interesting for people who like BMWs, but are getting old. Most BMW are rather low, and can be uncomfortable to get in and out of for old people. If they don't need any of the monstertruck features from the X-lineup, this car should suit their needs.

[Norsk]

Very nice Job BMW.

Thank you for not giving us a nose like the new 3 series & having the plastic of the lights go all the way to the kidney grill.

Thank you for moving the cut line of the hood (Bonnet) to the top of the lights and hugging the top of the kidney grill, with a small cut in between. Double Bravo on that one!

Thank you for a nice slick interior that does not look like it's the aftermath of a samurai sword fight (eh hem... new 3 series).

Very elegant looking little car.

Cheers!

[Diver]

I think it would take very little to tweak this design into an SUV for the US market. It might even get built in Spartanburg. Just a bit more ground clearance, and voila.

Regulatory considerations make this sort of vehicle necessary. Whether it makes sense economically in the US with $3.60 petrol is another story and right now the answer is probably no.

There are a lot of unanswered questions regarding plug in cars. As production ramps up shortages of lithium and other rare earths could offset savings from mass production. Nobody knows what to do with spent lithium batteries. What is the value of a 10 year old vehicle facing an imminent battery replacement at a cost of $15,000?

[JesperGustavsson]

Actually think it looks really good, but FWD?!

[amarti23]

Nope. I don't really like this at all....

[SCOTT26]

Originally Posted by Diver

I think it would take very little to tweak this design into an SUV for the US market. It might even get built in Spartanburg. Just a bit more ground clearance, and voila.

Regulatory considerations make this sort of vehicle necessary. Whether it makes sense economically in the US with $3.60 petrol is another story and right now the answer is probably no.

There are a lot of unanswered questions regarding plug in cars. As production ramps up shortages of lithium and other rare earths could offset savings from mass production. Nobody knows what to do with spent lithium batteries. What is the value of a 10 year old vehicle facing an imminent battery replacement at a cost of $15,000?

There is an intelligent crossover-MPV-SAV-Tourer coming called the F.amily A.ctivity S.ports T.ourer which will be available as both FWD and AWD.
But the FWD cars starting with the Active Tourer are FWD on BMW's terms. this is the exciting image of a FWD BMW in order to make it stand out in more ways than one against the competition by re-intepreting existing concepts for more appeal.

[Gangsta D]

the jury is still out on this one....

[宝马.e90]

Originally Posted by TSTA

what a joke a FWD Bimmer????BMW please do not make any FWD car......it will destroy it name of being making fun drive car

Rubbish. It might not carry the BMW badge but the MINI has some of their DNA and is tons of fun so don't tell me a FWD can't be fun. It might not appeal to performance enthusiasts but can't say it can't/won't be fun.

[JulieDriving]

Wow, great video. Makes me want to get the vehicle more. Especially when the Head of BMW Design sums it up by saying at the end:

"We managed to create core BMW values - sportiness, dynamics, elegance - within a vehicle concept that has never had those values before."

[buckeyede06]

Originally Posted by zumjosh

Hmmm... It seems BMW is now marketing to soccer moms. I'm sorry, but I'm not too thrilled about this design.

This is not the case at all. It is an urban car. Meant for smaller cities and eco minded drivers. That is why the FWD is not a huge issue, the people wanting to buy this car dont car about RWD. Cant burn through a turn in downtown Manhattan or Paris. So the soccer mom therory is junk. Soccer Moms get huge Volvos and mini vans anyway. This is for eco minded urbanites who dont want thier little green machine to suck. Why cant hybrids be fun to drive? BMW is challenging that market. It is a good idea market wise.

The FWD is a necessary evil for better MPG and keeping the car smaller. I really doubt BMW is dumb enough to move anything but the the 1 to FWD.

[3s-a-charm]

Lot of scarves at those design meetings LOL!

[3s-a-charm]

Originally Posted by buckeyede06

This is not the case at all. It is an urban car. Meant for smaller cities and eco minded drivers. That is why the FWD is not a huge issue, the people wanting to buy this car dont car about RWD. Cant burn through a turn in downtown Manhattan or Paris. So the soccer mom therory is junk. Soccer Moms get huge Volvos and mini vans anyway. This is for eco minded urbanites who dont want thier little green machine to suck. Why cant hybrids be fun to drive? BMW is challenging that market. It is a good idea market wise.

The FWD is a necessary evil for better MPG and keeping the car smaller. I really doubt BMW is dumb enough to move anything but the the 1 to FWD.

[zarehs27]

I like it...a lot.
for sure, it doesn't have the long nose and short overhangs like the other series but guys, compare this to your everyday car (which probably isn't a BMW) or to your wife's car, then you have a real winner.
They managed to make an MPV look sporty, classy and if MINI is an example, fun as hell!!
I would definitely prefer driving everyday a BMW (instead of another brand) with all the practicality of a small car during weekdays, and drive my coupe the week ends.

[T1T2GRE]

I like it.

Change isn't easy. I would like this vehicle as my DD to save fuel costs. When I want the "classic BMW", then I will open my third bay and fire up my 1M. Different applications for different demographics. I can understand the resistance out there, but the one thing "classic" about BMW is that they are always pushing the edge of the envelope. Sometimes with disturbing results, but more often with astonishing new vehicles.

Do I think the X6M is really a "classic" M car, or even a "classic" BMW? Maybe not. But it is classic in the sense that it shows the continuous forward progress that BMW endeavours in. It's advancement through sheer technological force.

I like this little thing. It's sleek, economical, and would definitely fit my family needs. I'd rather buy something like this from the people that brought us the E30s and E9s than Nissan or Toyota.

I'm in.

[SCOTT26]

Overall reaction to the first FWD BMW is very high in favour amongst BMW forums and online media.
The car is certainly getting talked about in a very good way.

The important thing to me and what I have been saying for a very long time now is how many (even @ Bimmerpost) understand that BMW have developed these cars on their own terms. Re-interpreting these cars to generate more appeal and dare I say more debate.

We might have overdone the rehtoric on our RWD capability in the past but the Active Tourer shows that we have grown up and became more mature in our attitude to a FWD concept. MINI worked so why couldn't a BMW?

Now we have proved that FWD can be re-intepreted as a BMW by expressing core BMW values in a concept that completey defies the conventional option. And this is what will bring customers to the showroom.

Paris is going to be interesting as our competitors will be all over this car on press day.

In my Town people have asked me what the production car will be like?
They are interested because they have these types of space concept for family pursuits etc.

What will change is in reality the concept elements but exterior and interior is very much what you will see if you add the more realistic elements.
This Active Tourer also provides an insightful insight into how the other BMW FWD vehicles will turn out as they will share the same design elements and bloodline.
And nothing in exterior or interior with MINI. What lies underneath is engineered to accomodate both brands , each with a different character with MINI going for the great to drive fun factor with BMW aiming for a more serious sporting edge.

[Harold Wood]

Warming to the design, how about a 3 door GTI rocket!

[Superspeed]

It does look better than feared. Not too bad for a car this type. Wether it's a BMW or not is yet to prove in driving tests.
About FWD and driving pleasure: I do own a Cooper S which is a ton of fun, but with half a ton of handicaps as well.

[blacknbean]

looks like a small mini van, but overall better looking than the current f20. glad they changed the headlights. there is hope for the 2 series then!

[sonicbimmer19]

Originally Posted by Sol01

like it or not BMW is a mass car producer. exclusivity image went a long time ago. wake up and smell the coffee

+1

I'm not particularly against BMW broadening their range all the way to compact sedans. I mean, Mercedes does it with A class and B class. So do Audi (A3 and even A1) and Lexus (CT hybrid).
I'm not too happy about FWD, but as long as it stays to 1 series cars only, it's ok.

[JulieDriving]

Originally Posted by Harold Wood

Warming to the design, how about a 3 door GTI rocket!


Attachment 750960

[EdwinF10]

not bad for a van

[GregD]

Originally Posted by Harold Wood

Warming to the design, how about a 3 door GTI rocket!


Attachment 750960

So nice.. Could you make one of the regular version with the same wheels and different color?