BMW Compact Sedan Concept unveiled, previews the 1-Series Sedan

[SF Dede]

The BMW holds up quite well in this comparison

 

[bum-man]

I am not digging the extra long front with truncated rear end; no pun intended. Even as a concept it looks every bit as cheap and econo like it is intended once it goes on sale. That doesn't bode well for the production look at all.

 

[tomazino]

I am not digging the extra long front with truncated rear end; no pun intended. Even as a concept it looks every bit as cheap and econo like it is intended once it goes on sale. That doesn't bode well for the production look at all.

Mercedes "das karikatur" CLA looks even cheaper, and sells well. So, nothing to worry for BMW...

 

[Zafiro]

I have no problem with this. Doens't look worse than the competition. I can see myself in car like the 1-series sedan.

 

[martinbo]

It looks great, for anything OTHER than a compact BMW saloon. How does the adage go? Burn down your...?

 

[SCOTT27]

The BMW designers have lost their inspiration in headlights design for some time,these headlights are so mediocre once again.

Isn't every Mercedes using the same headlight design?

 

[Rainer271]

Isn't every Mercedes using the same headlight design?

Touche!

 

[sanpt7777]

They are going this way to appeal to a customer that doesn't appreciate the brand for what it really is. BMW is and should be RWD, I don't even care for X models.

While doing this, they end up alienating existing fans and customers. I, for one, would rather buy an A3 than this 1. If only it was RWD, I'd be all over it because it would actually be within my reach, but being FWD, I find the Audi more appealing.

I really look forward to see this car in person, but right now, I'm almost sure the Audi will stay the prettiest in its class. Looks bigger than it is, and inside it's very nice looking in S Line trim.

 

[sanpt7777]

I'd like to add I'm not against FWD for the sake of being against it. I'm a fan of FWD cars.

BMW has proven themselves with MINI in the FWD department, I just hope this car is not a wannabe of the competition.

Make it something unique and I'll shut my mouthole. Would be cool if it drove like a Honda Type R in a German package

 

[Betty Swollocks]

If only it was RWD, I'd be all over it because it would actually be within my reach, but being FWD, I find the Audi more appealing.

Why are you not all over a 1 Series?

 

[sanpt7777]

Why are you not all over a 1 Series?

Because most likely will be FWD, and in that case I like the A3 better.

 

[Betty Swollocks]

Because most likely will be FWD, and in that case I like the A3 better.

Ah, thought you were talking in the very near future, as in if the 2 Series Sedan was available right now.

 

[sanpt7777]

Ah, thought you were talking in the very near future, as in if the 2 Series Sedan was available right now.

Sorry man, I don't know what you are talking about

You meant why don't I like the current 1 Series?

 

[martinbo]

1 Series LCI is the prestige* hatch of note now.

* Yes, yes, I nicked that word from @Giannis.

 

[Fido]

Its part of the ongoing strategy to have around 20 UKL based cars under BMW and MINI in which projection estimate that total sales of compact cars under UKL will be around 600,000 units for the Entire group.

The plan is to extend the 2er family allowing for the 1er to be more city orientated.

There will be surprises on the way to determine the balance.

It is initially intended for sale and manufacture in China. Especially the youthful demographic at the entry end of the market. Such a car has excellent potential in China which is BMWs no 1 market.

But they are developing the car for global response, hence why you see it testing in Europe as well as China. And should the strategy change? We have to consider sales potential in other markets predominately within the compact segment as Russia,India and North America prefer their compacts with a boot. I would like to think this car has serious potential in other markets especially with sDrive,xDrive and eDrive options.

I think this car will be sold very good for BMW in a lot ot markets in the world.

Isn't every Mercedes using the same headlight design?

They are going this way to appeal to a customer that doesn't appreciate the brand for what it really is. BMW is and should be RWD, I don't even care for X models.

While doing this, they end up alienating existing fans and customers. I, for one, would rather buy an A3 than this 1. If only it was RWD, I'd be all over it because it would actually be within my reach, but being FWD, I find the Audi more appealing.

I really look forward to see this car in person, but right now, I'm almost sure the Audi will stay the prettiest in its class. Looks bigger than it is, and inside it's very nice looking in S Line trim.

Audi A3 Sedan is one A4 more little. At least, this 1-Series Sedan doesn´t look like one 3-Series more little. Looks bigger? I think you can be confused with A4. I don't see A3 Sedan bigger, I see it very little, more that one CLA and this model from Mercedes is little.

I don´t believe this one will be more or less attractive with FWD or RWD. I think this car will be sold very good for BMW in a lot ot markets in the world. For example, for me the interior from this concept is more attractive that the A3 Sedan. In fact, I see the interiors from BMW better that Audi and Mercedes's models.

Please, you can explain me (or give any reason to tell "BMW is and should be RWD"? Because I don't understand why one car producer as BMW cannot offer FWD and RWD cars? Mercedes should offer only RWD cars too?

 

[Monster]

Please, you can explain me (or give any reason to tell "BMW is and should be RWD"? Because I don't understand why one car producer as BMW cannot offer FWD and RWD cars? Mercedes should offer only RWD cars too?

Because BMW told us so, back then BMW build their brand value on cars being RWD and they were the "ultimate driving machine" It was a hugely successful and effective campaign because what they said was true, people can see and actually experience the merit of RWD cars with sporty handling characteristics. This message was entrenched into the minds of car enthusiasts around the world. Now it is all about "individuals" living "unique lifestyle"

Mercedes build their brand value on setting the best in luxury, safety and engineering. Things didn't go well in the early 2000s but now they are back on track.

 

[sanpt7777]

I think this car will be sold very good for BMW in a lot ot markets in the world.





Audi A3 Sedan is one A4 more little. At least, this 1-Series Sedan doesn´t look like one 3-Series more little. Looks bigger? I think you can be confused with A4. I don't see A3 Sedan bigger, I see it very little, more that one CLA and this model from Mercedes is little.

I don´t believe this one will be more or less attractive with FWD or RWD. I think this car will be sold very good for BMW in a lot ot markets in the world. For example, for me the interior from this concept is more attractive that the A3 Sedan. In fact, I see the interiors from BMW better that Audi and Mercedes's models.

Please, you can explain me (or give any reason to tell "BMW is and should be RWD"? Because I don't understand why one car producer as BMW cannot offer FWD and RWD cars? Mercedes should offer only RWD cars too?

Because the ultimate forces of nature intended BMWs to be RWD, just like the rest of it's creations. I don't even care for x-Drives.







But seriously, Mercedes and Audi are different. Audi has sold cars under the idea that they are fast VWs, turbo quattro awesomeness, and Mercedes-Benz sells their cars as the engineered like no other German cruiser.

.- I do find Audi interiors to be superior to BMW, at least on the lower end, and at least on the newer ones; but that's just me.

.- BMW has sold their cars as the ultimate driving machine, and that means, in order of importance RWD>Manual>Naturally aspirated.

They used to pride themselves on making NA I6 engines that equalled the performance of the turbocharged competition. I raced an E90 325i with My turbo Volvo and, while I did win, it was very close. That is impressive.

There is a video where they say "but always with a manual gearbox, because the M5 is above all, a driver's car"
Here it is

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Tailor made to meet the driver's needs. That's the point of a BMW, not for the poser who wants the badge. Want a FWD BMW? Get a MINI or an Audi, that simple. No offense inteded to you man.

I'm fine with FWD, turbocharging and automatic boxes, just not in a BMW. In fact my Volvo was a FWD Manual turbo.


.-BMW should be trying to make the current customers and loyal fans happy, not trying to steal customers from Audi. What's next? A RWD A4? If they want to make a quick buck, that's what SUVs are for.
In fact, I see a lot of 320i's driving around, which means a basic no frills RWD compact BMW would be a viable option as a competitor.

With these FWD cars BMW is basically saying "alright, I can't win with my values, so I'll make a car with your values to compete while alienating my current customers".

That's the way I see it.

 

[sanpt7777]

Look man, BMW explains it better

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[Fido]

BMW should be trying to make the current customers and loyal fans happy, not trying to steal customers from Audi. What's next? A RWD A4? If they want to make a quick buck, that's what SUVs are for.

With these FWD cars BMW is basically saying "alright, I can't win with my values, so I'll make a car with your values to compete while alienating my current customers".

That's the way I see it.

The car industry, and almost all industry, doesn't work that you're telling. All car producers want to be the no. 1 selling cars and to get this they have one option, to steal customers to the competitors. And this is that BMW and Mercedes are doing with FWD cars. BMW is producing RWD cars with the sames typical values from them, but too X-models and FWD cars. They need a very big range with different options to get more customers ad they choose. You can buy one RWD and other customer one FWD, but this is not a treason to their customers.

Porsche had a lot of financial problems in the past and the first Cayenne saved to them. If they had kept totally faithful to theirs values, I'd ask where they'd be now.

I'm sure that we'll see to Audi doing any RWD car in the future.

 

[sanpt7777]

The car industry, and almost all industry, doesn't work that you're telling. All car producers want to be the no. 1 selling cars and to get this they have one option, to steal customers to the competitors. And this is that BMW and Mercedes are doing with FWD cars. BMW is producing RWD cars with the sames typical values from them, but too X-models and FWD cars. They need a very big range with different options to get more customers ad they choose. You can buy one RWD and other customer one FWD, but this is not a treason to their customers.

Porsche had a lot of financial problems in the past and the first Cayenne saved to them. If they had kept totally faithful to theirs values, I'd ask where they'd be now.

I'm sure that we'll see to Audi doing any RWD car in the future.

Hey, I never said it worked that way. I in fact mentioned that if money is what they need, SUVs are where it's at. Besides, BMW is nowhere near where Porsche was financially at the time.

You fail to see that this is the entry level to the brand, and they are selling new customers a first experience that is not what BMW should represent as the brand values. Mercedes is doing the opposite

thing, and selling its brand values with the CLA.

If they want to be #1 they might as well keep being good at what they are instead of losing focus and trying to do everything at the same time just because of greed.​