[Jason]

BIMMERPOST NEWS

Spied: BMW 1 Series GT (Production Version of Concept Active Hybrid)

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The last time we posted photos of the FWD 1 Series GT in testing, it was nearly a year before the debut of the BMW Concept Active Tourer [official info] at the recent 2012 Paris auto show.

Here, we see it with less camouflage than ever and although some fairly heavy and tricky camouflage remains, one can look to the concept model [photos below] for a very good idea of what the production model will look like. BMW has a strong track record of keeping production models extremely close to the concept versions.

We expect that the 1 Series GT models may come with 3 cylinder, hybrid 3 cylinder, and possibly also a 4 cylinder powertrain options. The plug-in hybrid eDrive system on the concept model pairs a 1.5L petrol engine (twinpower 3 cylinder turbo) with an electric motor. The front wheels are driven by a 1.5L petrol engine [engine details]. The electric motor designed as fully-fledged power unit and powers rear axle, if necessary.

It will also likely be available in M Sport form.

No official word yet on whether the 1 Series GT will be available in North America, but we expect it to be. It should hit the market in Spring-Summer of 2013.

[SCOTT26]

The production Active Tourer is 90% the concept which bodes well as BMW have taken thousands of requests of interest in this new model.

The concept has been entirely successful in showcasing the direction BMW have for this new class of car even though the car is FWD.

[emulajavi]

Waiting to see where does the hood line get to:
- to the kidney grilles as all BMWs until F01 (the way it should be)
- well above the kidneys like F01 and beyond (ugly!!)

[fratz]

a little ironic with Volvo sign in front of it...used to expect designs like this from them.

[juice13]

I think this will create a conundrum for purists who want a smallish BMW with some utility - RWD X1 or possibly a more fun to drive FWD four door hatch?

Assuming it comes to the U S of A.

[Majdnoon]

Looks like a normal hatchback...

[wdeerfield]

i doubt the us will get this..

[bimmerjph]

Would be even better if it was RWD... just sayin.

[RWD4Life]

The ultimate appliance machine...

[ORIGIN M.]

I am not buying it...

[Antares]

I don't find it that similar to the concept. The rear doors are quite different, the window behind the rear doors is apparently missing, the boot doors opening is completely different.
Looks like a classical European market Van.

[Zadjali]

Standard Dual Side Exhausts! So Weird! Not happen even with the 7 series!

[chriscecc914]

Originally Posted by Antares

I don't find it that similar to the concept. The rear doors are quite different, the window behind the rear doors is apparently missing, the boot doors opening is completely different.
Looks like a classical European market Van.

That's because the camouflage is doing its job properly on you. That's all just the camo tricking you.

[Antares]

Originally Posted by chriscecc914

That's because the camouflage is doing its job properly on you. That's all just the camo tricking you.

right; and when it gets into the showroom it's going to be "Fata Morgana" effect

[SCOTT26]

The prototype is still extensively camouflaged. Although in some pictures the light actually hits the elements that appear on the concept such as the dramatic sharp glasshouse and the lower flanks triangular surface design element. The bootlids as per all BMW's are extensively camouflaged when they do not run the full light units .

The finished car is 90% of the concept.
If the concept is shown at LA later this month then it will give an idea whether the car will be offered in the US.

The twin exhaust on each side actually betrays the MINI origins as various MINI models showcase this and will continue to do so with the next generation. The MINI Cooper S of course will retain the characteristic central twin exhaust.

Having seen that Mercedes-Benz are preparing the AMG B-Klasse B45 AMG , friends have asked will we see the M badge in front of the Active Tourer? I would say at this time possibly not an M badge but there could be an M Performance, there will definitely be a M Sport packet for the new car.

The issue regarding the FWD cars is that first of all the priority is establishing the product before venturing to the vanity side of marketing. Potentially the upcoming 3dr City hatch with its sportier looks could be a candidate as a hypothetical M car after establishment to offer something with more potential should the car be a success. M likes a challenge and an attempt to make an M FWD small hatch could very much be successful as the MINI JCW.

However that is hypothetical at the moment but BMW's management are clear not to fall into the trap of vanity like Audi's A1 quattro - its sold out but the media extend that the car still suffers from the driver related issues as the standard hatch. Should M go down that route then it has to be different from the standard car in every way possible which is what M excell at anyway.

[RWD4Life]

Originally Posted by Sol01

that's all we need. first a FWD BMW and now FWD M car. never thought I would see the day. obviously not satisfied with diluting BMW brand by creating this van ( although a good looking one ) now they want to do the same with M division. so now BMW are copying everything that Merc does. what is next then? Mercedes make trucks also, are we going to see a BMW truck soon ?

+1

[tony20009]

So now BMW are making compact minivans?

[ovekvam]

Originally Posted by Sol01

obviously not satisfied with diluting BMW brand by creating this van ( although a good looking one ) now they want to do the same with M division.

Isn't that train already gone? We have heavy M-SUVs (yes, I know BMW calls it SAV) with automatic transmissions, and now also M-diesels. I would say that the exclusivity of the M letter is lost a long time ago.

[snipe]

Originally Posted by ovekvam

Isn't that train already gone? We have heavy M-SUVs (yes, I know BMW calls it SAV) with automatic transmissions, and now also M-diesels. I would say that the exclusivity of the M letter is lost a long time ago.

LOL. Do you remember the days, 40 years ago, when M meant 'Motorsport'? They made homologation specials like the E9 CSL, were busy with motorsport and even produced their own model, the M1.
Later they wanted to make money with fast versions of every-day-saloons, like the M535i, made for rich people who wanted to preted they're racedrivers. However, the cars were still handmate at BMW M. When BMW decided to produce the M's at the normal production lines, people were complaining, because this certainly would cause the end of days (and the end of the exclusivity of BMW M).
BMW Motorsport started with homologation specials, but the new M's were only fast. People who wanted to use their M on the track suddenly had to buy special editions, like the E36 M3 GT, E46 M3 CSL and E92 M3 GTS.
M wanted to make more money, so they decided to build cars for rich bastards (and their wifes), like the X5 M and X6 M. M5-owners without any tracktime started complaining: these rich-bastard-M's could never be used on the track, this certainly would cause the end of the world (and the end of M in particular). Later BMW introduced the 1 M Coupe, the first 'normal' M with turbo power. M-fans started complaining because anyone (and even Audi) could make turbo engines. Disaster! M needed atmo-power to satisfy owners, although they never went to a track.
Now the rich-bastards-with-motorsport-bimmers-that-aren't-designed-for-motorsport are complaining, because BMW might introduce a FWD-M-minivan. Certainly the end of the world and the end of BMW M. In a few years, owners of the FWD-M-minivan will complain, when BMW wants to introduce a diesel-M (eh...), an AWD-M (eh...) or an electric M. That certainly would cause the end of the world and the end of BMW M. Well, it is 2012 anyway.

[Antares]

It's not about FWD being bad. It's about differentiation; BMW could build the only Van with the RWD.
Marketing is half the sales success.

Anyway, I think that such a Van is a great idea and that BMW should make an additional bigger Van (with RWD).

Now, who knows when we are going to see first test mules pics of the new 2 series?

[jippii ensio]

This looks great. I'll buy one for sure. I hope they can retain the similarity with the prototype as much as possible.

[AusF20/F48]

This will be BMWs volume seller (if they can keep it price competitive with gadgets)
FWD is much cheaper to produce.

All the other car manufactures build them.
In the small car (hugh volume) market, a hundred dollars difference in the on road price means loosing the sale. The cost difference between FWD and RWD would be too great.

If you look at how many people bought the previous A Klass by Merc over the past 10 years because it had the badge on it, you will now understand the need for a FWD car from BMW.

BMW is under pressure from several makers building lower cost FWD small entry level cars.

In these price brackets, people do not care if the car is FWD or RWD. It is now the price and goodies they consider. The only premium they will pay slightly more for is the badge on it. Mercs new A Klass is being bought because of that big badge on the front.

The reality is that a lot of People just want a A to B car (there are millions of them out there) and will not pay thousands extra for a proper RWD. They do pay more for a badge on the car, so they drive the cheapest version with the badge on it.

BMW is in the real world and in the small commuter car world FWD is the only solution.

The funny thing is that both BMW and Merc now have a problem with what to call an even smaller car as you cannot go lower than 1 and there is not a letter before A.
It will be interesting to see how both deal with this.