BMW Compactive Tourer - spy pics & info

[Foxfire]

I have to say I agree. The problem with the reasoning that "more choice is always better" is that the curve drops after a certain number of choices and in fact, the total net result may even be negative after a point. That's the intuitive and empirically confirmed phenomenon called "Choice Paralysis" (quick google search result). You don't want to be overwhelmed with choices when making a decision... the magic number where there is added value in choice is somewhere between 3 and 7. How many new acronyms will BMW offer by 2015?

Also, keep in mind that new market segments have a tendancy to dillute a company's focus. If BMW was about sporty cars, just how does that value translate to mini vans? Where's the synergy in that vision? I'm not talking about synergy from an accountant's view (who's mantra is more parts sharing -> greater economies of scale), but from product design view.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

I am not joking or exaggerating but I felt a little sick after seeing the word "COMPACTIVE".

I can imagine it now, BMW proclaiming loudly that this hideous creation is the world first 'compactive' vehicle for those active individuals seeking to distinguish themselves from others lesser beings by throwing money at this this awesome lifestyle accessory. It is the combination of a SUV+SAV+MPV+GT+sports coupe in one innovative shape that will bring pants wetting joy to anyone within a 1000000km radius. Sorry rant over.


Anyway will this car be part of the i-BMW sub brand?

LMAO! Whatever it is, and no matter how good the car ends up being, 'Compactive' just sounds ridiculous! I hope it fails just by consequence of its name.

 

[Beemer B773ER]

The BMW brand has always had the image of "the ultimate driving machine". Their image/brand was very strong and made them stand out from their competitors. This wasn't just marketing, it was fact, as they had rear wheel drive on every car.

'The Ultimate Driving Machine' is BMW marketing at its ultimate best. As an absolute statement, it wasn't/isn't even close to being a fact. Needless to say there are many other brands that offer a vehicles with superior driving experience. But as a statement relative to its direct competitors, yes BMW's usually offer a better driving experience. With this 1er CT, I fully anticipate BMW will offer a better driving experience than the MB B-class.

I don't fully agree with your point that it is RWD that validates BMW as The Ultimate Driving Machine. Many others have RWD but BMW is still superior in driving dynamics. Also, let's remember that FWD on a BMW will be limited to the 1 series range. No 3er, 5er, or 7er is being developed as an FWD. Also recall one particular survey concluding that 85% of owners thought their 1 series was FWD. Forget about bean-counting...common sense tells you that the target market for 1 series owners doesn't even care about FWD/RWD, they barely even know the difference. I agree it's somewhat diluting the BMW brand, just the A/B-class diluted the Mercedes-Benz brand IMO. But, it's cheaper to produce, provides greater rear-space, and on a car as small as a 1er the 'RWD is > FWD' difference isn't as magnified... so do you decide to forgo this successful market (B-class selling well, premium compact market expected to grow considerably), let competitors take their slice of the cake, let competitors offer yet another 'entry to brand' product, ....and yes of course forgo easy profits. Forgo all that just to avoid a very small dent in the company's brand image?

For now I don't like the car, I'd never be interested in it....but I still think it'll be a success since it's a Europe-focused model.

Why they have to use the BMW badge when Mini has it's own brand and is doing very well, I don't know.

Why an Audi R8 when there's Lamborghini to cater to the sports car market ?

 

[Betty Swollocks]

Why an Audi R8 when there's Lamborghini to cater to the sports car market ?

You make some good points. I would say the R8, even the V10, is one rung below the Gallardo despite them being in essence the same car.

 

[Beemer B773ER]

You make some good points. I would say the R8, even the V10, is one rung below the Gallardo despite them being in essence the same car.

I agree with that. With regards to the the 1er CT and a comparable Mini model, I'd say the Mini would be half a step below, and 1 step to the right of the BMW...mainly because the Mini brand is so deeply built on cultural appeal rather than BMW's status appeal.

 

[K-A]

In contrary: the future is brighter then ever with those things. For MB, and for BMW.

Admit it: nobody would make noise about such cars if BMW had a supercar or any similar exotic halo car in its portfolio.

But without supercar in BMW portfolio some think such cars are making BMW a less sporty brand.
MB has cars like R-class, B-class, van-like A-class in its portfolio, but nobody is complaining about. Because there is SLS (or SLR in the past), and AMG galore incl Black Series.

Why not picking on MB since they have no luxury car beyond S/CL - and cars like A-class (definitely not a luxury car) can hurt MB as luxury brand?

Double standards?

Just like B-class this BMW Compactive Tourer is targeting specific customer pool - if you are not part of it, why complaining? If you like 3er, buy a 3er. If wanting Z4, buy Z4. Lusting for M5 - get M5. Etc. And those who want a family-friendly BMW will pick the Compactive Tourer.

Anyway its a Europe-centered model, so what's the point eg US & other non-European members whining about it. Don't know ... BMW, MB & Audi has quite different image in Europe (especially in domestic German market), and are not per se perceived as luxury. There are many base models sold in Europe - with stark standard equipment. Eg. MB has no problem selling A-class & B-class -without any harm done to MB luxury image. Same case with BMW - selling cars like 116i, 116d or 316d (which are hardly sporty & featuring great performance) without hurting BMW sporty image. And not even sub-1er would not hurt it, nor the minivan. At least not in the markets they will be sold in.

MB, BMW, Audi etc are global companies, and has to cater different tastes & different customer needs. So, some markets get models other don't (eg. 5er/A&/E-class LWB in China; A1, A-class, B-class, A3 3dr, 1er hatch, even A5 Sportback not available in US etc).

Why dissing models that target different markets then your own?

Speaking for myself, I give a lot of grief to M-B for making these cars. More than I do BMW, since I care more about M-B, having a car from them, etc. But they've already crossed this road, and they are unfortunately continuing to cross it further.

I like these brands for what got them here in the first place, exclusive lineups (little dilution, ability to concentrate and perfect their core models) of cars that were far and away more developed than anything out there. M-B and BMW aren't the brands they once were, they're becoming better versions of Toyota, and that's NOT what got them to where they are in the first place! Car Manufacturers are so OBSESSED with growth, market share, and competition, that they seem to forget who they work for, why who they work for are where they are, and what their forefathers intended to do with these brands.

But I digress. As long as the core models aren't dragged down by parts sharing with these cheap/entry/goofy models (which they are in many cases), then I just concentrate on the nice stuff they put out, and consider the small stuff as business necessities to keep the big players alive and with enough $$$$ to R&D them.

..... On a side note, I always loved when M-B and BMW were brands that the young kids dreamed of owning, "when they get rich", that's what made them so premium! Now they're cars that any kid can own as a first car if they have a few bucks more to spend than a well equipped Honda. Makes it nice that more of us can afford the cars, but again, this isn't what made M-B "M-B", or BMW "BMW", so of course the future's perception of these brands will be very different.

 

[EnI]

No it won't.

Ask kids & youth to define luxury & premium. The perception changes with generation. So does the definition of "true sportiness". Brands has to adapt as well since such perception is broader social phenomenon, not under eg. certain industry's (eg. automotive) control.

And companies has to look into the FUTURE, not into the PAST. Nostalgic dreamers will be left behind. Except they are stinky rich - then perhaps their wishes will be pleased. For quite a price.

 

[Mr Robert]

Too bad BMW built its image around these, now obsolete, values and it now has to find a way to say that what BMW used to stand for hasn't changed at all and that what we, the customers, thought made BMW so special was, in fact, a misconception

That said. I think the Compactivity will be a hit. Many new customers will find their way to the brand and maybe stay there for their next car.

 

[klier]

As long as they keep making cute little ridiculously embarrassing marketing-schtick names, they can be more "innovative" in these "niche markets" than their competitors I guess.

What the freak do you care btw, it's not like this car is coming to BMW's secondary market.

 

[K-A]

It'll be here soon enough, especially if it's a hit. M-B is gearing up to release the A-Class and other cheap/entry models out here, so obviously it's only a matter of time before BMW follow suit.

If BMW were crazy enough to dare let the 5 GT into American Dealerships, they can release the "Compactive" nonsensical name to us as well.

And ENI, it's not a matter of future and past that I'm talking about. You can build upon the future while maintaining the integrity of the past that made the brand what it is today. There's a difference between completely changing up the values and core of a brand, and building/evolving upon it. If this is something BMW needs to do (and Mercedes) to stay alive in order to build the more serious cars, and if it's something they need to do to pass new emissions regulations, then there's nothing we or they can really do about this, but to just accept it and make the best of it.

And I'll say it again, if these manufacturers are so willing to throw away their core values to "revolutionize for the future" or whatever, then why not release a Pickup Truck in the U.S? I mean, if dignity is already out the window, and there's admittance that money is all that's considered when planning future models, I don't see why this wouldn't be a possibility.

On another note, I'm starting to think that platform sharing has been the worst thing to happen to Premium automakers. Yes, I understand why they're a necessity in the profitability and even maybe life of these companies nowadays, but I feel that the R&D and heavy thought-processes that used to be mandatory aren't anymore. Marketers can think up some random "nu-segment" car, and the company will build it, because it costs so little to make anyway, now that it's basically just a rebadged and re-skinned version of another car. Then if it fails, chalk it up as a mere flub and embarrassment, and build the next one, etc. etc.

 

[EnI]

New spy photos:

2013 BMW Front-Wheel-Drive prototype spied again

BMW Family Activity Sports Tourer (2013) scooped | Secret New Cars | Car Magazine Online

 

[klier]

So fugly

 

[Mr Robert]

I think it looks nice but far from BMW stance and proportions. It looks a lot like a Civic (probably down to that wing) and if they could make something like a Type-R from it, then wow

 

[KiwiRob]

Wow all the hate towards this car, astonishing, if you don't like it don't buy it, easy really.

 

[martinbo]

Let's just hope the car isn't rubbish because everyone will then start calling it BMW's Garbage Compactive. That ought to do wonders for the brand image.

 

[SCOTT27]

Actually this car is very important for BMW. It's platform which is shared with MINI will spawn five FWD BMW models and 10 new MINI models. This is about BMW increasing it's profitability in the UKL segments. By the end of the decade combined BMW and MINI UKL sales will surpass the 3er and 1er .

 

[EnI]

A bit less camo ... More on: www.worldcarfans.com

Source: 2013 BMW FWD prototype spied with less camouflage

 

[K-A]

Wow, I've never seen anything that looks so un-like a BMW before!

 

[Human]

And if this thing is not priced competitively - BMW badge or not it will NOT sell.

This is a VERY Occupied/busy and ULTRA competitive segment where big players i.e. VAG, Toyota, Honda, Hyundai/KIA, Nissan, Chevrolet, Opel, Renault, Citroen, Peugeot, Mazda etc.etc. has been competing in for a very long time...

BMW will have to 'steal' sales from M-B's B-Class to sell but just a few units if the car is priced premium.

 

[EnI]

EVERY segment has a premium niche. Even in mini-van segment. Some people who are buying a mini-van are willing to pay more just for the badge only - just to prove they can do better than owning an Opel, Ford, Renault etc. Clientèle? Young small families, mid-age women (second family car), elderly people etc. Mind semi-command sitting position is very popular in Europe (mini-vans, vans, small SUVs & crossovers etc). And some segments lack premium offers ... especially the semi-command type of vehicles. Therefore B-class will sell well (even the current Mk does), and so will the BMW Compactive (= compact + active) Tourer. And so will all the premium small & mini SUVs & crossovers.