• Next generation BMW X1 will be front wheel drive and share its platform with the Mini Countryman

                    
      		   
      Published on 07-16-2012 12:01 AM
      3 Comments Comments
      BMW's acquisition of Mini has unquestionably done great things for the Mini brand. Is it doing the same thing for the BMW brand? Before Mini the thought of a front wheel drive BMW was so absurd it was not even entertained and mocked in advertisements. Times have changed and it is about profit above all else. BMW will clearly be saving money putting Mini and BMW models on the same platform. They are stretching their dollars and many will defend this as simply business.

      Well, the next generation Mini Countryman and the X1 will share the same platform. Jokes about the X1 being a rebadged Mini that can not be applied to the current X1 will be right on target with the next one. Essentially, the X1 will be moving downscale as will the BMW brand itself especially considering the X1 is expected to share the interior components of the Mini was well. Front wheel drive SUV's are the future. Yes, not the end of the world as there likely will be an all wheel drive option and this no doubt makes room in the lineup for an X2 which was already trademarked. Still seems weird to us that BMW is taking on characteristics from Mini and not the other way around.


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      This article was originally published in forum thread: Next generation BMW X1 will be front wheel drive and share its platform with the Mini Countryman started by Sticky View original post
      Comments 33 Comments
      1. singletrack's Avatar
        singletrack - 07-16-2012, 08:13 PM
        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by Sticky Click here to enlarge
        How?
        My understanding is that BMW is solely responsible for the execution of the modern Mini.
      1. Sticky's Avatar
        Sticky - 07-16-2012, 08:25 PM
        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by singletrack Click here to enlarge
        My understanding is that BMW is solely responsible for the execution of the modern Mini.
        Yes but it is a modern Mini not a modern BMW.
      1. singletrack's Avatar
        singletrack - 07-16-2012, 09:11 PM
        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by Sticky Click here to enlarge
        Yes but it is a modern Mini not a modern BMW.
        I guess I just mean that it is a very high quality automobile. It's not as though they are taking a Toyota city car, re-badging it an Aston Martin, and doubling the price. ; )
      1. Sticky's Avatar
        Sticky - 07-16-2012, 09:41 PM
        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by singletrack Click here to enlarge
        I guess I just mean that it is a very high quality automobile. It's not as though they are taking a Toyota city car, re-badging it an Aston Martin, and doubling the price. ; )
        True, it is high quality due to BMW's involvement. It isn't a BMW though.

        Heh yes but that is the best example of badge whoring I think I have ever seen.
      1. singletrack's Avatar
        singletrack - 07-16-2012, 10:12 PM
        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by Sticky Click here to enlarge

        Heh yes but that is the best example of badge whoring I think I have ever seen.
        Yup. I think I prefer the Toyota version honestly as well. The AM version is so cheesy.
      1. M3GTtt's Avatar
        M3GTtt - 07-17-2012, 03:04 AM
        The Mini has a BMW WIN number (serial).

        Porsche did venture into the "cheap" end .. remember the 924 and the 944, later the 968 (which is probably the boxter now).

        Like BMW's FWD comments a long time a go Porsche has also made claims in the past like "there will never be a diesel Porsche".. well, times change. I don't have the numbers in front of me but I am pretty sure that the highest selling 911 Porsche today is the Carrera4 or the 4S. I would ALWAYS get the 2WD version, and rather spend the extra money on the "S" and not the "4" but this still shows us what the mainstreem buyer is thinking, and the mainstreem buyer pays the way for companies to be able to develope special things for us nutters.

        We even have a 4wd Ferrari now.

        As someone said .. BMW sales numbers are at a record high, so I still say that BMW knows best what a BMW is, or at least what sells. Think of it this way, as long as BMW is making decent money they will be more likely to come out with high end high performance special cars.

        I agree that the fake sound in the M5 is a bit lame, but what can you do when the new one just does not sound as good as the one its replacing. E60M5>F10M5 sound wise.
      1. Sticky's Avatar
        Sticky - 07-17-2012, 09:26 AM
        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by M3GTtt Click here to enlarge
        Porsche did venture into the "cheap" end .. remember the 924 and the 944, later the 968 (which is probably the boxter now).
        Porsche is specifically protecting the brand by not building anything below the Boxster: http://www.porscheboost.com/content....-protect-brand

        They most certainly are not taking a Golf or cheap VW and re-badging it a Porsche.

        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by M3GTtt Click here to enlarge
        Like BMW's FWD comments a long time a go Porsche has also made claims in the past like "there will never be a diesel Porsche".. well, times change.
        In that context it was referring to the 911 and sports cars. An SUV necessitates a diesel option by default.

        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by M3GTtt Click here to enlarge
        We even have a 4wd Ferrari now.
        Not a front wheel drive one based on a FIAT though.

        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by M3GTtt Click here to enlarge
        As someone said .. BMW sales numbers are at a record high, so I still say that BMW knows best what a BMW is, or at least what sells.
        Quantity is not quality.
      1. singletrack's Avatar
        singletrack - 07-17-2012, 09:50 AM
        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by Sticky Click here to enlarge
        Porsche is specifically protecting the brand by not building anything below the Boxster: http://www.porscheboost.com/content....-protect-brand

        They most certainly are not taking a Golf or cheap VW and re-badging it a Porsche.
        Hmmm. Yah but Porsche has always been a higher level marquee than BMW, at least in terms of cost. It is really only the US where BMW *only* sells as a "luxury brand". I mean you have been able to get very basic BMWs for a long time in Europe.

        However, I do agree with you that having "cheaper" BMWs in the US will probably dilute the brand to some shoppers.



        Quantity is not quality.
        But what is a large quantity of solid quality? : )

        Seriously though, more money = better chance some crazy engineers can get a hold of it and build an amazing super-car. : O
      1. Sticky's Avatar
        Sticky - 07-17-2012, 10:59 AM
        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by singletrack Click here to enlarge
        Seriously though, more money = better chance some crazy engineers can get a hold of it and build an amazing super-car. : O
        Call me crazy but when BMW was not focusing on squeezing in every variant they could the cars were better and received more attention. M cars were also much more special.
      1. xbox_fan's Avatar
        xbox_fan - 07-17-2012, 03:43 PM
        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by 654 Click here to enlarge
        Porsche is just one of the marketing brands of Volkswagen group which is the worlds largest Fwd car manufacturer Click here to enlarge
        Well they still seem to be the only german car brand that is still somewhat true to their heritage, but yes they do build the SUVs and the Diesel Panamera, so it seems they are being a little loose as well...
      1. singletrack's Avatar
        singletrack - 07-17-2012, 10:47 PM
        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by Sticky Click here to enlarge
        Call me crazy but when BMW was not focusing on squeezing in every variant they could the cars were better and received more attention. M cars were also much more special.
        That is 1 part reality and 1 part nostalgia. : )

        I wouldn't trade my e92 M3 for any other M3. : O Never driven the E30 though; but would love to, and would love to own one also I imagine...

        The auto industry has changed so much, it is very hard for me to compare cars across generations - for me. I'm more interested in where they are going. I understand the pause based on the current direction, but I think it is too soon in the next gen M cars to declare the cause lost just yet. Yes I know I am a broken record. ; )
      1. Sticky's Avatar
        Sticky - 07-19-2012, 12:37 AM
        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by singletrack Click here to enlarge
        That is 1 part reality and 1 part nostalgia. : )

        I wouldn't trade my e92 M3 for any other M3. : O Never driven the E30 though; but would love to, and would love to own one also I imagine...

        The auto industry has changed so much, it is very hard for me to compare cars across generations - for me. I'm more interested in where they are going. I understand the pause based on the current direction, but I think it is too soon in the next gen M cars to declare the cause lost just yet. Yes I know I am a broken record. ; )
        It isn't nostalgia as the M3 is still being produced. I just see these new models and don't believe they are better than what they used to produce as well as what they still could had their ideals remained in tact.
      1. Puerto Rican 335d's Avatar
        Puerto Rican 335d - 07-19-2012, 07:30 AM
        The Mini has the BMW blueprint for the engine and the engine is made in FRANCE!!(Prince) if not mistaken as was the old mini the engine was the Chrysler Pentagon 1.6 engine which BTW was a GREAT engine!! which was specifically made for BMW!! back then. The new Mini is almsot completely a BMW and NOT a true Mini sad to say, I drove the old mini 02 mcs for 9 years(128K) and i can attest to it , the new one I drove was the Countryman for a test drive so imagine the X1 will be the same ride, for which I DID enjoy and would not mind ordering a DIESEL version
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