Along with the development of the BMW`s front-wheel drive based on Concept Active Courier, the compact MPV was expected to arrive under the badge of a 1-Series.

But the BMW`s compact MPV was just spotted wearing a 225i badge, which is a confirmed statement that the vehicle will arrive under the new 2-Series range.

A senior manager at BMW has let word that the decision was made due to the fact that the compact MPV is significantly bigger that the present 1-Series hatchback sold in the U.S., and it that it will cost more.

So, the full name of the compact MPV would be BMW 2-Series Active Tourer. To confuse us even worse, there was also a seven-seat version in works, to bear the name 2-Series Gran Coupe.

But we will be able to find out more about this confusing news, as the new compact MPV is preparing its grand debut at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show, early this March. Sales are expected to hit the US market in the first part of 2015.

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Marcus M.

http://www.bmwcoop.com

The post BMW FWD Active Tourer possibly the Next 2-Series appeared first on BMWCoop | BMW Blog, BMW News, BMW Reviews.

BMW is breaking new grounds with the vehicles they have launched this year or plan to launch soon.

From the full CFRP chassis of the i3 to the first ever front wheel drive model, 2013 is the year of change for BMW.

While the excitement is building among enthusiasts, BMW engineers are busy working out the changes brought. One of the problems consists of the transmission. So far, BMW only had to worry about sending the generated power to either the rear wheels of all wheels.

So with the new configuration of the drive system, they must also develop a new transmission to go with FWD, and the debut of the gear box will be on the i8 hybrid sportscar.

“We will develop a new automatic gear box for future front wheel drive vehicles and transversal engine concepts. First outcome will be with the all new BMW i8 plug-in hybrid. The number of gears is due to the best possible torque level. With future plug-in hybrid models not as many gears might be needed to feature the best possible shifting point”

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Marcus M.

http://www.bmwcoop.com

The post BMW i8’s gearbox is another first for the car maker appeared first on BMWCoop | BMW Blog, BMW News, BMW Reviews.

BMW Concept Active Tourer is the first BMW that has front-wheel drive (FWD). This model is a MPV (Multi-Purpose Vehicle) that will compete with B-Class from Mercedes.

It was presented at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show where it was greatly appreciated by all visitors. BMW Active Tourer will be released in about 2 years.

BMW claims a fuel consumption of just 1.5L/100km because of EfficientDynamics, all this consumption of a 3-cylinder gasoline engine which outputs 190hp (140kW) on a hybrid plug-in platform eDrive architecture.

The future BMW Active Tourer will be able to accelerate from 0 to 100km/h in only 7.9s which is very good considering the weight at which we expect to be higher than the normal BMW cars, that because to battery present inside it.

Once this BMW Active Tourer remains only battery, its autonomy will be somewhere for just 30km, which means you should be headed to the nearest place where you have to fuel with gasoline.

The design of BMW Concept Active Tourer is very futuristic with dynamic design lines as well we can see in the pictures.

The interior is illuminated with a red-orange tint, a warm light with glossy plastic and leather board with a modern color.

BMW Concept Active Tourer videos with its exterior design and interior:

Photo Gallery with the BMW Concept Active Tourer:

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Marcus M.

http://www.bmwcoop.com

The post BMW Concept Active Tourer appeared first on BMWCoop | BMW Blog, BMW News, BMW Reviews.

It is well known that the Germans from BMW are planning to introduce models benefiting from a front-wheel drive system, somehow against the tradition of the brand. Of course, we are not talking about the biggest and more important models in the range, BMW planning to fit some small-segment vehicles with the FWD system. Starting 2014, the Germans will reveal the 1 Series GT, a model adopting a front-wheel drive system. Later on, BMW might introduce the new traction system to other variants of the 1 Series range such as the Coupe and Convertible models.

However, this doesn’t mean that all the 1 Series models will be front-wheel drive as the Germans announced that the range can get up to six different body styles.

According to the first details, BMW will use the same platform that will underpin the next-generation Mini, scheduled to enter the market somewhere next year. We talk about the new UKL1 platform developed by BMW Group which will be also used by the British sub-brand most probably due to financial reasons.

Another important detail is that the first model within BMW’s range will be the 1 Series GT, a more practical version of the range, one of the six body variants BMW plans to introduce. However, we can’t predict if the new 1 Series GT will attract the customers or it will disappoint as the 5 Series GT in the United States. Well, the poor sales of the model mentioned above are mainly due to the fact the U.S. customers were waiting for a Touring variant.

The new UKL1 platform uses the Z-axle multilink rear suspension and MacPherson struts, the latest rumors announcing that a four-wheel drive system is more likely to be present too. Klaus Draeger, BMW Head of Development claimed that the German company will manufacture up to 800,000 units each year benefiting from the FWD system. Moreover, the same source adds that around 20 models in the range will benefit from the UKL1 platform in the next few years.

*The photo gallery consists of new images with the current BMW 1 Series

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Marcus M.

http://www.bmwcoop.com

The post First BMW models with the FWD system to debut in 2014 appeared first on BMWCoop | BMW Blog, BMW News, BMW Reviews.