CAR: BMW Z2 (2016) and 1-series Gran Turismo (2014)

[1230vani]

As posted on Car Magazine's website (unfort something was wrong on the website as I could not upload pictures in bigger size, will try again later as it is a common problem on car magazine's website):

"The February 2011 issue of CAR Magazine spills the beans on a new generation of small BMWs. They're radical on many levels: they're front-wheel drive for starters. But they also reflect the downsizing trend, stretching BMW's line-up into hitherto unknown small-car niches.

These artist's impressions commissioned exclusively for CAR Magazine reveal two of a planned 13 new baby BMWs and Minis. Five will wear the BMW roundel, the remaining eight are Mini spin-offs - and CAR's European correspondent Georg Kacher reveals the lot in our special cover story.

We're concentrating on two here: the Z2 is a baby roadster tucking in well below the Z4 to take aim at the Mazda MX-5. The 1 GT does what it says on the tin, creating a Gran Turismo version of the next-gen 1-series, following in the footsteps of the 5 GT.

BMW Z2: in detail

You'll have to read the February 2011 issue of CAR for the full story, but allow us to whet your appetite here. The Z2 is a two-seater and Munich product planners are considering coupe and soft-top roadster versions.

Both models are based on the UKL1 front-drive transverse architecture, standing for untere klasse in German. It's at the core of BMW's plans to become more efficient at making small cars - Munich hopes to push production up by as much as 1 million units a year by the end of the decade and will reap the benefit from a shared platform.

Power for the new UKL1 front-drive BMWs comes from three- and four-cylinder engines, spinning the front wheels, although four-wheel drive is enabled by UKL1 as it's required for the Countryman. Getrag will build the 4wd, as well as a twin-clutch transmission.

The Z2 is pencilled in for a launch in 2016, at around £20,000-£25,000. That's top-end MX-5 territory, nudging into Audi TT ground.

BMW 1-series GT in detail

The next 1-series hatchback family will be shown later in 2011, and that car and its coupe/convertible siblings are spun off the existing rear-drive platform. The real change happens from 2014, when the first front-drive 1-series models arrive.

Codenamed F45, the 1-series GT revealed here in CAR's exclusive images (the pics circulating on the web are scans from CAR Magazine) will therefore be sold alongside the rear-drive Ones, as Munich soft-launches the new architecture.

The 1 GT is a compact activity tourer in Munichspeak. Think A3 Sportback rival then. But other front-wheel drive small BMWs are under consideration, including a high-roof Merc B-class rivalling model dubbed FAST (Family Activity Sports Tourer) and a cut-down, 0-series style JOY hatchback twinned closely with the Mini.

Front-wheel drive BMWs: the risk
Munich is acutely aware of the risk of launching front-wheel drive cars, after decades of carefully nurtured rear-drive Ultimate Driving Machines. But company execs are confident that the Mini proves they know a thing or two about front-wheel drive too.

We're now about to find out if Joe Bloggs really gives a stuff about which axle is driven. We suspect they won't."


http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/Secret-...-Turismo-2014/

[1230vani]

some bigger photos

[tranquility]

I like how small the Z2 appears to be. Should be interesting.

[alex2364]

FWD?? I thought it was going to be RWD!

[tommy]

It also says it will be launching in 2016, so a couple of "new" items. Though I doubt that both of them are accurate.

[Hedoniste]

The Z2 is going to be sexy but I will NEVER buy a FWD car.

[Jblack4083]

Z2 looks like a toy.

[epiphone3]

I actually really like these 1-GT pictures, but would not buy a FWD car. Hopefully it is rear drive or the 3-series GT will be close to this.

[mkoesel]

I'm pretty skeptical that the Z2 will use the FWD UKL platform. It makes sense for the GT, the next X1, and whatever other people small movers they can dream up. But for a roadster it would make a lot more sense to use the RWD F2x platform. I'm pretty sure that most roadster buyers understand the difference between FWD and RWD, and many (though not all of course) will specifically seek out a car with the latter.

We need some clarification on this from SCOTT.

[Diver]

We still don't know for sure if there will be a 2013 1 series coupe or an I6 in any F20 varient, or did I miss something?

[Klier]

Isn't the Z2 going to be based on the next 1er, and thus be RWD???

[Adj5633]

Don't see a reason for a FWD roadster. I agree with mkoesel.

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by Klier

Isn't the Z2 going to be based on the next 1er, and thus be RWD???

The next 1er (F2x) will remain RWD. But this Z2 will probably be based off of the F2x replacement, which WILL be FWD. Alles Klar?

Btw... in addition to this 1er GT, BMW has plans for a mini-van. The current Auto Motor und Sport has a blurb on it. I will upload the photos soon.

Dackel

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by Adj5633

Don't see a reason for a FWD roadster. I agree with mkoesel.

BMW needs an entry level roadster - thats why.

[esqu1re]

Even the miata is RWD. Yes, I understand shared platforms and that a 16 year old barbie getting her new BMW from daddy is not going to care what wheel drive it is....but......ultimate driving machine not really...

[Nikki]

I am not a fan of the FWD direction, but I suppose the strategy may work for BMW in order to increase sales in colder areas and offer a cheap entry roadster. Are there even any FWD roadsters available anymore?

My first car was a 1997 Honda del Sol and it was really fun to drive. My parents only let me get it due to that fact that it was FWD since I lived in Connecticut where the winters were pretty bad. I could see this new Z2 being a smart idea for younger buyers in cold climates that can't afford the Z4 and prefer FWD in the snow. Honestly though, I've had three BMWs with RWD in the snow and never had any issues getting around (all with winter tires of course).

I have heard reports that the Z2 would compete against the Miata, but that is RWD and I think the Z2 as a FWD would be a hard sell for the enthusiast type that typically would buy a Miata.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by Diver

We still don't know for sure if there will be a 2013 1 series coupe or an I6 in any F20 varient, or did I miss something?

Not sure which point you were addressing with this post, but BMW has confirmed an all 4 cylinder lineup for the F20 1 series, and the same is pretty certain to apply for all F2x as well (including the 1M). There will be a 2013 1 series coupe (E82). The F22 will be MY 2014 I believe, and might possibly be called the 2 series - nothing confirmed yet.

Originally Posted by Dackelone

BMW needs an entry level roadster - thats why.

So a entry level roadster must be FWD, but an entry level four seat convertible can be RWD?

[dmboone25]

Originally Posted by epiphone3

I actually really like these 1-GT pictures, but would not buy a FWD car. Hopefully it is rear drive or the 3-series GT will be close to this.

+1

[dmboone25]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

The next 1er (F2x) will remain RWD. But this Z2 will probably be based off of the F2x replacement, which WILL be FWD. Alles Klar?

Btw... in addition to this 1er GT, BMW has plans for a mini-van. The current Auto Motor und Sport has a blurb on it. I will upload the photos soon.

Dackel

Mini-van?

I would love to see that go around corners...

[SCOTT26]

The Z2 is originally based within the Modular architecture from the upcoming 1er and 3er but shortened to accomomdate. Whether the two projects have been merged I cannot say as I have not been in Munich much since I returned in early January.

Where the confusion lies is possibly that with the Compact cars so far three are set in stone. The City Compact , Gran Turismo CST and the FAST.
But they are thinking ahead in terms of growth. By the end of the decade BMW hope that combined MINI units and BMW FWD units will be selling at the rate of 800,000 units between the two families.

A smaller Roadster is one idea under discussion to increase the family circle.
And again they are looking at what can happen under Project-i .
Could a similar concept bring more interest in a smaller sports car project?
After some key BMW people got behind the Active E and realising how far you can get a very good dynamic car that is great to drive but under sustainable methods.

The BMW Vision Connected Drive is purely a template. It is not a future model per se. It is more a template to show how design and technology can be a synergy in the future . Although when the time comes you will recognise some design elements of the concept within the next BMW X5 (rear) and 3er Coupe and Cabrio (side character sculpture). The technology is not that too far away although some features you can get in your BMW today but the concept is purely a future lab for design and technology. Although BMW have now turned their attention to their premium markets having completed this decades strategy of preparing BMW for the growth of the compact , Premium Compact , Premium Entry segments and of course Project-i.

Whilst the Z2 design is finalized. The larger Roadster planned for the Premium Segment is still not finalized although the car remains in competition with the designers behind the Vision Connected Drive being in the competition.

The BMW Mini-van takes it's approach from the BMW FAST which for the 3er is known as AFAST Advanced Family Activity Sports Tourer. The idea is to mix the space of an MPV , The solidity of an SAV with the shape of a larger Touring model but have it remain more car-like in it's appearance.
When BMW talk about FAST And AFAST the question is why do customers have to conform to a single concept which is a typical eurobox or a van with windows if they require space and flexibility? BMW's ideas are to reinterpret the concept to be more car like but without compromise of space, flexibility and how the car drives.

The 3er unlike the FAST 1er will be Rear wheel drive and for cost effectiveness will be based on the LWB platform of the Chinese only market BMW 3er Li which will be introduced for the first time with the F30.

AFAST is if you can put it the reincarnation of BMW's RFK project that morphed into the BMW 5er Gran Turismo. That rendering on AMS turns the car into a van which it certainly will not be.
@ BMW some concepts might not be suitable for some segments but can work in others where there is demand for a BMW Concept of this type.

To describe the order in size for BMW space Concepts in height - First would be Shooting Brake(6er) , Touring (3er,5er) , Gran Turismo (1er,3er,5er) and then FAST/AFAST (1er,3er).

[Diver]

Scott26, I am feeling information overload.

[Ash83]

Toy car