The times, they are a-Changing sang Bob Dylan, and they did. And for the most part, it’s for the better –or we’d still be living in caves. But when one of the staples of the motoring world embraces a new philosophy, be prepared for the purists to cry “FAIL”. The news of BMW adopting front-wheel-drive for its future compact models is the perfect example.
For decades Munich has bombarded us with its naturally aspirated in-line engines, be that with 4, 6, 8 or 10 cylinders along with 50/50 perfect weight distribution and the “ultimate driving machine” tag.
Now turbos are all the rage, even in the M-division and they are trickling down to the rest of the lineup in the name of fuel economy and CO2 emissions. But a FWD BMW? Where is this world coming to?
BMW Group board member Ian Robertson has a perfect counterargument: “In the last 10 years we have built nearly two million front-wheel-drive Minis and no one has ever told me the driving dynamics are questionable”, Robertson told Australia’s Drive magazine at this week’s 6 Series coupe launch in Germany.
And true enough, he does have a point there as the Mini is one of the most fun to drive hatchbacks on the market. Robertson is confident about the new direction his company is taking:
“I think we are very, very capable of developing a front-wheel-drive platform that has certain advantages in terms of design and the use of space, and at the same time will be a BMW as you always expected it to be,” said Robertson.
“Take the badge and the heritage out of it and put the capability into it. Capability is what is important. The whole essence of what you experience from a rear-wheel drive, all-wheel drive or front-wheel drive, customers expect it to be a BMW … and that is what is driving us,” he added.
The reasons behind the change of heart, at least for smaller models in the range, are the obvious advantages of FWD vs RWD in packaging, interior space and, of course, cost. Besides, even Mercedes-Benz and Audi, with their A-Class and A1 respectively, insist on the benefits of this layout.
Therefore, the recently launched second generation of the 1-Series may well be the last small BMW with RWD, as its successor will most likely adopt the firm’s new FWD platform architecture.
31 Comments:
FWD is only acceptable if you are using a forklift.
Audi has FWD in use for all of its models, with an optional 4WD. So not only in the A1 ;)
Boss's wrong, so very wrong.
If you're not taking the car to the track I don't notice a difference in fwd or rwd for a daily driver. Fwd is better in the snow anyways. Not a big deal for compact cars.
What a brazen, but devoutly ignorant statement by Robertson. Oh, wait a minute—he's a board member—hence he's only interested in lining his pockets.
Two things. When or how can BMW claim their cars are the "ultimate driving machine"? Maybe if you are looking for a BMW. Secondly, front wheel drive is a cost saving measure. It's fine for people just wanting to go from point A to B without ever pushing the car. But I don't think you can claim, with a straight face, a front wheel car is the "ultimate". Just more BMW marketing.
http://www.idale.co.za/2010/01/14/bmw-rear-wheel-drive-adverts/
Oh what a slap in their own face...
It's BMW! Be perhaps the leading advocate of RWD and denouncing FWD as not all that but wait, now they're looking at the advantages of FWD for most drivers and they find they must change their tune. RWD may be the hot setup on the track but for 90% of street drivers will benefit more from FWD as noted in the article. I say ain't no big deal but the BMW faithful will surely cry FAIL. Let them.
But 90% of street drivers aren't suppose to be BMW type drivers. They are supposed to be enthusiasts, which is BS anyway. So yes, most BMW drivers couldn't tell a different in FWD or RWD.
I can definitively tell the difference when I am driving a FWD car as apposed to a RWD. Two different driving characteristics.
The kind of buyer that doesn't care if it's FWD is the kind of buyer that doesn't care if it's the ultimate driving machine
As for getting around better in the snow with AWD I actually got around better with a RWD with a manual transmission. I could slip the clutch and go to a higher gear when I felt the tires beginning to break loose. When I added sand bags in the rear I never got stuck.
FWD will never be the ultimate driving experience because:
1. It involves a lot of under-steer
2. It can only handle up to 250 HP efficiently
3. You cannot drift properly
Therefore the big boss in the BMW is talking rubbish. The only reason BMW wants to make FWD is to increase their profit margin by lowering their production costs; besides it is far more cheaper to make a FWD car than a RWD one. As a result BMW will disgrace its reputation and elegance by making FWD (Fail Wheel Drive!!)in the near future...
I don't need to drive the "Ultimate Driving Machine". There are plenty of competent drivers I find very satisfying to drive. I have both, and yes can tell the difference when pushed, but that doesn't make FWD bad. Realize that by pushed I mean beyond legal speed limits. So many cars are awfully good up to and beyond that limit anyway to own the UDM isn't the same as if racing on the track. I think BMW is making a good choice for their smaller platform but this decision will certainly FAIL with the faithful. Get over it.
The majority of people buying a compact car are not looking for RWD. They are looking for a practical A-to-B car.
I drive a FWD Fiat and when it rains, or during the winter I am constantly stuck behind slow moving BMW cars! I live in a climate where a BMW is only the ultimate driving machine for 1/3 of the year. For the rest of the time, they are a road hazard.
"As for getting around better in the snow with AWD I actually got around better with a RWD with a manual transmission." I meant I can get around better with a manual RWD in the snow than a front wheel drive. What helps with FWD is the weight being on the drive wheels. Add some weight to the rear and work the clutch. I think some people just need to learn how to drive their cars better.
Sure they will talk about the benefits of FWD vs RWD. They just want to squeeze more profits out of their cars. FWD = cost savings. I bet they won't pass the savings on to their customers, they will pocket the money. The MSRP will stay the same even though they will be building a much cheaper car. But I am sure the marketing will work wonders, it has before. "FWD = the ultimate driving experience!" It does if you know little about driving.
Just drive these models in reverse and stop worrying about it. Rear engine, RWD...what's the problem?
doesnt anyone else think that cars got an ugly face...maybe bmw realised this and have actually created a rear engine RWD rear wheel steer ultimate driving machine?
Renault Megane RS(FWD, 265 horsepower) ran a Nürburgring lap time of 8:07 http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2011/06/renault-sets-new-nurburgring-lap-record.html
Meanwhile, 1 M Coupe(RWD,335 horsepower) did it in 8:15. http://www.thetorquereport.com/2011/06/bmw_1_series_m_coupe_laps_the.html
Just sayin'...
What would the Megane do if it were RWD? It would probably faster. Just sayin :-)
BMW is the ultimate marketing machine. Ahh .. now they realize that people are finding out, so the - "Take the badge and the heritage out of it and put the capability into it. Capability is what is important." - line.
A good FWD small car handles immaculately around corners and can smash a larger AWD or rear wheel drive car. I've gone from Saab Aero (FWD - terrible around corners) to a XJ8 (great fun but tail happy) to AWD Jag X-Type to a Mini JCW and there I was thinking it'd be torque steer and under steer, but I cannot explain to you how incredible and composed this small car takes corners. If BMW can make their 1 series handle like the mini (and I've heard they'll use the same platform) then BMW purist won't have to worry - unfortunately don't expect a 3 litre engine in there, because I think it'll ruin the balance - and perhaps there's the problem, BMW won't be able to shoehorn in an engine from 3 series to create an M car.
"What would the Megane do if it were RWD? It would probably faster. Just sayin :-)"
Again, worlds away from actual street use and street conditions. One can always cite examples on the race track and the Renault is a good example of what FWD is capable of. So again, for street use there will be no problem at all and it will only be the BMW fans and those insisting that RWD is the only way to go will cry foul. Not to worry, all will be just fine. Open your mind that not all stays the same, technologies do improve the breed.
Last year, a survey showed that 80% of the 1 Series drivers in Germany thought their car was a FWD...
somebody stop that idiot
BMW Boss Says Front-Wheel Drive Bimmers will be “The Ultimate Driving Machine”, Not if they look like that! And the ultimate driving machine everyone knows is the Ferrari.
Boo hoo hoo... boo hoo hoo...
How can I be snooty if my car is the same as other cars without the elitist marketing catch phrase of - ultimate driving machine?
I drive a BMW myself (an older one but still in pretty good mechanical condition), but I also have greatly enjoyed various front wheel drive cars...
I have taken the front wheel drive cars to the limit more often and more comfortably than the couple of rear wheel drive cars that I find the limits of mostly in the rain...
I have drifted (four wheel drift, not hang the tail out Japanese drift) a couple of front wheel drive cars in pretty good comfort whereas balancing the rear wheel drive cars where I am trying to keep the car neutral through a corner is a little edgier...
Yes, but if you were a real man then that edginess is what you enjoy... in fact, that is why a rear engined car is the ultimate macho machine for real men that enjoy driving unlike you commuters with your fwd cars... blah blah...
A lot of what you guys (guys is gender neutral) complain about is weight distribution. And I don't think that the 50/50 of the BMW that I commute to work in is "perfect." That seems silly to me. From what I have read, it seems that a nice 46/54 (Maserati) to the rear will make a car easier to balance because you have the extra messages of the extra weight at one end to tell you what is going on. The numbers towards the rear can get higher like 41/59 if the masses are centralized...
Today front engined cars (Corvette), rear engined cars (911), and of course mid engined cars (Ferrari 458, to me the most magical of these) can be made to handle beyond what most of us can experience or can afford (all rear wheel drive).
But a nice front-wheel drive car like the Renault Megane RS Trophy can also be made to handle in fun controllable and exciting manner where it is actually faster than say a BMW 1 Series M Coupe at the Nurburgring. Faster is not necessarily better, but still interesting that a lowly Renault front wheel drive coupe is faster than the latest M car from BMW.
And that has caused them at least 4 sales in the past 25 years.
Would love to own an Audi 'RS' model, but don't want 'AWD' or 'FWD' due to handling issues. There is a difference, and it is significant to the serious driver. Those who claim other wise, just don't know what they are talking about.
Who has he been talking to? Anyone who really knows how to drive and nuance the edge of a vehicle's dynamic limits, sure doesn't want to do it in a 'FWD'.
And Mini's really aren't great drivers, only to those who don't know any better. The Fiat 500 is a lot more nuanced and fun to drive then the Mini.
And car dealers typically list BMW's as being V-6's go figure.....%&^@$%&&*z*xz32=6,.,.<*>
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