BMW to introduce fwd models

Luckily it doesn't look like the 3 series will be affected. May be on the 2 series though which is a bummer. I was looking forward to that car.

FailWheelDrive?

I'd never buy a FWD car, but BMW wouldn't be the first. Audi sells FWD models, even their quattro systems are FWD-biased. And there are some good small cars like the Focus ST that can handle decently.

It'll help their smaller volume cars stay profitable, for the soccer mom that just drives to the mall, she probably wont even notice. Keeps BMW making money, so they can invest in other areas. Necessary evil, like the Cayenne/Pajun/Panamera to the Porsche die-hards.

2 series is rear drive, the 1 will be front drive next gen (4 years away?).

Originally Posted by ChrisF02

FailWheelDrive?

I'd never buy a FWD car, but BMW wouldn't be the first. Audi sells FWD models, even their quattro systems are FWD-biased.

The latest quattro is biased 40% front and 60% back under normal conditions. It's been this way for a few years now.

Cool. The article just said that 12 models have been approvedand that they were lower that the 3 series. Didn't specify which model.

Originally Posted by bmw_or_audi

The latest quattro is biased 40% front and 60% back under normal conditions. It's been this way for a few year now.

I think he might have meant Audis have FWD platforms to which they add AWD, vice BMW which are RWD platforms to which they add AWD. Both cars have AWD, but they just started from different designs.

Hmm. I drive a FWD bimmer all the time..




























Whenever I select reverse.

But unlike Fwd, and like a proper car, power+turn=oversteer

Originally Posted by dunderhi

I think he might have meant Audis have FWD platforms to which they add AWD, vice BMW which are RWD platforms to which they add AWD. Both cars have AWD, but they just started from different designs.

I don't agree with that characterization anymore for the latest generation Audis, at least for the A4 and higher models. I think they are developed as AWD platforms right from the beginning. I consider the FWD versions to be derived from the AWD ones, not the other way around. But it doesn't really matter how it was developed. What matters are the end products.

Originally Posted by bmw_or_audi

I don't agree with that characterization anymore for the latest generation Audis, at least for the A4 and higher models. I think they are developed as AWD platforms right from the beginning. I consider the FWD versions to be derived from the AWD ones, not the other way around. But it doesn't really matter how it was developed. What matters are the end products.

So does theat mean they can just as easily make their as cars RWD?

A FWD BMW is MINI.

Originally Posted by dunderhi

So does theat mean they can just as easily make their as cars RWD?

I don't know if it is easily doable on the existing platforms, but I don't see why they couldn't. Older quattro versions were able to direct 100% of the power to the rear axle when required ( I think the latest one is limited to 70-80%). There are also rumors the next A8 with be offered as RWD & quattro, not FWD and quattro as it is now.

I think it is more work to develop an AWD car from an existing RWD model than it is to derive a RWD model from an AWD design. With an AWD car, you really have a car that has both FWD and RWD. So you just drop one. But you would probably come up with a more efficient design if you targeted RWD from the beginning.

I think Audi is smart with its current strategy. FWD cars are cheaper to manufacture and are more efficient than RWD designs, so Audi can target the market right below the traditional BMW/MB segment. With the quattro versions, it competes in that segment, but by trying to distinguish itself with a different approach instead of offering the same thing as its two other rivals.

FWD will be 1 and 2 series

Merc have A and B as FWD

BM have to "keep up-to-date" with competitor

Originally Posted by dunderhi

So does theat mean they can just as easily make their as cars RWD?

They have longitudinal layout so yes.

In the latest bond film there was an a5 that the movie people made rwd by disabling the front linkage

Main reason they don't just offer them is way less people would buy quattro which they are known for

BM used to say....

1. we never make Turbo M cars..... they lied
2. we never make FWD ..... they also lied

they are not making ultimate driving machines... anymore.....