Early in 2010 the chairman of management of BMW sparked a frenzy of rumours when he announced that the Bavarian company would develop front-wheel drive BMWs in the smaller vehicle classes in the future.
Now a news story on Worldcarfans.com states that no fewer than three new vehicles will kick-start BMW’s venture into front wheel drive vehicles. The Compact is a small hatchback that will compete with the likes of Audi’s A3, while the Compactive Sport Grand Tourer will cater for those looking for a stylish MPV-esque offering, and the Family Activity Sports Tourer will be a cross between an MPV and a BMW X vehicle.
Various reports suggest that these new vehicles will be based on the Mini Countryman platform and that the hatchback version will be a 1 Series variant that is powered by new 1,5-litre, 3-cylinder petrol and diesel engines. Also floating about the rumour-mill is the speculation that BMW will rename the rear-wheel drive 1 Series to 2 Series, but nothing is as yet confirmed.
The new BMW 1 Series will début in March at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show and is due to arrive in South Africa in November.