1 Series [Renders] BMW 1 Series Sport Cross

[Rainer271]

 

[Giannis]

Nope, nope, nope, nope. Oh no...

 

[Rolf]

I really think they are going over the top to bring cars out to create new segments is there a point when the number of so many different vehicles won't add up to serious buyers and they will have to say enough is enough?

 

[Rainer271]

The question for me is if BMW plans really a car like the Sport Cross. In the last about 35 years since I read car magazines there are a lot of allegedly planned cars but many of this were never introduced.

 

[bmwownage]

in the future i think we can customise our own design, send it to BMW and they'll make it, given UKL platform which apparently they can build anything on.

 

[Star&Car]

What kind of car will this car to be? I'm confused.A sporty version of the X1?but the fat body doesn't look even sporty at all.

 

[Centurion]

Cross as in cross-dresser?

I can't tell whether it's a 2-Series Active Tourer dressed as an X1 or vice verse.

 

[EnI]

It's 1er-based crossover. It's still not greenlighted. But I guess it's about to be in the next 6 months.

Regarding the sub-1er expansion plans the BMW Board is the most fond of a crossover model since the crossover market is the hottest right now.

Therefore a proposal of UKL 1er-based compact crossover (riding on standard length 1er hatch wheelbase - mind X1 wheelbase is longer, and the one of X2 will be even longer than X1's!).

In the end this crossover could end up being a direct GLA (since the GLA is smaller, less parctical, even less off-roadish & sportier looking than X1) or upcoming Audi Q1/Q2 rival. Yet not wearing a special badge but just being 1**i or 1**d - just like the 3dr & 5dr hatch models.

But ... when it comes to crossover models. The X2 is coming first. Just after X1. In a bit unconventional way: being a longer, lower and less boxy 5dr vehicle than X1. We have already seen the spy pics of X2 prototype out there (it's the so called FAST or X1 LWB -as reported in various media).

And there will also be a X2 Sport version (BMW have just registered an X2 Sport trademark - beside the X2): a true SAC version of X2. Most probably coming in a 3dr version only.

Btw, 2er Gran Tourer (LWB Active Tourer) is just about to be launched.

And beside 5dr 1er crossover, 1er sedan, X2 , X2 Sport also a 2er GT is proposed: as 5dr coupeish 2er fastback.

So, in the next few years the 1er / 2er family will include:

1er 3dr hatch,
1er 5dr hatch,
1er 5dr compact crossover,
2er 2dr coupe,
2er 2dr cabrio,
(2er GranCoupe)*
2er 5dr 5-seater minivan,
2er 5dr 7-seater minivan,
2er 5dr fastback,
X1 5dr SAV,
X2 5dr Crossover,
X2 (3dr?) SAC.

Most of them will be based on UKL FWD platform.

While just lately BMW Board is considering to make future 2er coupe & cabrio a part of 35up RWD platform models (meaning it will have the size of a 3er while 4er will grow in size a bit!). In this case 2er coupe & cabrio will stay RWD (and will directly rival C coupe by MB), * and then the line will also incorporate a GC model. The decision is about to be made in the 1st half of 2015.

 

[SF Dede]

While just lately BMW Board is considering to make future 2er coupe & cabrio a part of 35up RWD platform models (meaning it will have the size of a 3er while 4er will grow in size a bit!). In this case 2er coupe & cabrio will stay RWD (and will directly rival C coupe by MB), * and then the line will also incorporate a GC model. The decision is about to be made in the 1st half of 2015.

Thanks for all this info. I wonder how it will play out and which models will come the the US. I also don't like the idea of the 2er coupe growing in size. By growing in size to a 3er, the point is lost. It will no longer be a small RWD coupe. I hope that doesn't happen.

 

[EnI]

It's a Catch 22.

Going FWD would allow next gen 2er coupe / cabrio to stay compact in size ... but some RWD fun factor won't be there. This would especially be noticed in M2 version - which would then get an RWD biased AWD but would stil ride on FWD platform. M2 would just become a direct rival to CLA AMG and RS3 - while there would be no compact RWD BMW anymore.

Staying RWD and putting next gen 2er (coupe / cabrio) on 35up RWD platform would make those cars bigger - unless BMW do introduce another version of the modular platform just for 2er: a smaller one. Which I guess would be too costly due to niche nature of 2er coupe & cabrio and the low entry price of those two cars - meaning the profit margin would be too thin to make this business case viable.

Putting 2er coupe & cabrio on the UL platform is much more tempting - business wise. Since the profit margins will be HUGE. But then - the BMW aficionados would be scarified again: completely stripping them of a compact RWD BMW vehicle offer.

I guess it will be a very hard and crucial decision. I think the next 2er will be FWD, unfortunately. I really doubt they will change the 35up platform to 25up.

 

[as7920]

Just hope this doesn't push the price of the 2er GC up too much.

 

[SF Dede]

Going FWD would allow next gen 2er coupe / cabrio to stay compact in size ...

The argument seems to be more about platform needs than vehicle needs. Meaning that BMW needs a platform for the next her, and they only have two to choose from: UKL and 35up with only the later being RWD. The brief for the 2er is that its RWD and small. So to get RWD it would have to grow (and everything above it as well). Seems like a poor answer, like the flea on the tail wagging the dog of BMW's RWD portfolio.

There've got to be better solutions out there. One could be to partner with other manufacturers, a strategy not new to BMW. Another might be to introduce a smaller platform but produce it for more than one line. Maybe BMW could do both. Perhaps I don't understand platforms well but I would say a platform portfolio made of UKL, 23, and 5up makes more sense to me - at least from a size perspective. The 3er has already grown too much which is why I'm not buying another.

The only thing I think might help the 2er size wise, is if it were slightly wider for a third narrow seat in back. I could also easily be convinced that such a change is not necessary.

Would be a shame to watch BMW destroy again the formula that made BMW what it is, especially having just rediscovered it. The 2er is a to a degree a halo car in its own right.

 

[SF Dede]

It's a Catch 22.
....M2 version - which would then get an RWD biased AWD but would stil ride on FWD platform.

Additionally, how would rear wheel biased AWD on a FWD platform work? I thought the best you could do was 50:50 in that scenario.

 

[SCOTT27]

UKL is modular and can be accommodated for RWD. The Architecture utilises a central section in which additional sections can be applied such as extending the wheelbase or accommodate another drivetrain.
This is why the decision is ongoing. There is a solution and the arguments are being heard.
I have voted for RWD.

@ ENI - will you be posting the other trademarks recently applied for ? Or are you saving that for later.
If you have seen them , then I think many people will be thrilled to see what is coming down the line.

 

[SF Dede]

UKL is modular and can be accommodated for RWD. The Architecture utilises a central section in which additional sections can be applied such as extending the wheelbase or accommodate another drivetrain.
This is why the decision is ongoing. There is a solution and the arguments are being heard.
I have voted for RWD.

If the UKL platform can accommodate RWD, I see no reason for the 2er to be on the 35up platform. It does not need to grow to the size of the 3er. Just my vote. Thank you.

 

[EnI]

UKL is modular and can be accommodated for RWD. The Architecture utilises a central section in which additional sections can be applied such as extending the wheelbase or accommodate another drivetrain.

By default he UKL platforms are made for FWD layout. The UKL architecture is a typical FWD architecture. As opposed to 35up platform which remains as a typical RWD platform with RWD specific architecture.

The modular mid-section of UKL platform you're talking about is flexible to accommodate additional drivetrain parts to make the car AWD. Or in some limited cases even RWD, yes (eg. in some hybrid models when driven in pure electric mode, or in AWD models in some cases when power is sent to rear axle only for a moment in some situations). But still - the UKL platform remains typical FWD platform in it's architecture. That doesn't make a car based on UKL platform a RWD car - despite it can be driven by rear wheels only in some cases.

@ ENI - will you be posting the other trademarks recently applied for ? Or are you saving that for later.
If you have seen them , then I think many people will be thrilled to see what is coming down the line.

Most of them are already mentioned in the dedicated thread. The latest, and most notably is the X2 Sport.

 

[KiwiRob]

UKL is modular and can be accommodated for RWD.

I find that somewhat difficult to wrap my head a round, unless the engineers make some major changes to the orientation of the engine, i.e. from transverse to longitudinal I can see this happening. Leaving the engine in it's original orientation will not make it easy to convert to RWD.

As far as I know only Ford tried this, that was the BTCC Mondeo back in the 90's, they tried unsuccessfully to convert the AWD Mondeo to RWD, but due to the rules the engine had to remain in is existing orientation, this required some tricky gearbox magic which never worked.

 

[Rainer271]

BMW allegedly planning 1-Series Sport Cross to slot below X1
Riding on the UKL platform
German media is reporting BMW is cooking up a small crossover to slot below the X1.

According to Auto Bild, the entry-level BMW crossover will allegedly get the 1-Series Sport Cross moniker and will ride on the UKL front-wheel drive platform. It will be part of an enlarged FWD 1-Series family that will also include a sedan version already spotted by our spy photographers and set to be sold alongside three- and five-door versions of the hatchback.

The 1-Series Sport Cross will act as a smaller and cheaper alternative to the second-generation X1pictured here and confirmed for a 2016 launch. Since the next-gen 1-Series is scheduled to come out in 2018, don't expect the Sport Cross derivative sooner than 2019.

Source: Auto Bild via bmwblog

 

[Wild Allen]

It seems not my type. Lol

 

[martinbo]

I have voted for RWD.

If all that you have stated in your post is as truthful as can be reasonably expected, then, as a BMW customer, I sincerely thank you.

That being said, I'm battling to envision how an engineered-for-FWD platform like UKL (and MQB for that matter) can be engineered for longitudinally mounted RWD without significantly impacting on the cost-effectiveness of a fixed geometry frontal substructure. This being the raison d'etre of a modular platform of course - economies of scale and, ultimately, profitability. The engine and transmission mounting points for longitudinal vs. transverse powertrain orientations are so different that they would more than likely require entirely different frontal substructures for FWD and RWD. Of course, if it is entirely feasible to have this and then "bolt on" to the remainder of the platform then fully cool.