Comments on: Rumor: BMW and PSA to build new modular front-wheel drive platform

By: atr_hugo

atr_hugo — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 01:58:17 +0000

One more piece of useless trivia – there was a post WW II prototypew with an internal number of 513. It looked like a Topolino with a 600cc engine. Not much info available on it; it’s mentioned in Halwart Schrader’s, “BMW A History”, but I’ve not seen anything else on it. BMW Dimensions, “BMW SInce 1916″ doesn’t mention it either (at least I didn’t find it in there).

The 513 may have been FWD, but it could have been rear-engined RWD as well.

The pre-war FWD projects in the 1920s came to naught due to lack of CV joints (there are some real issues using U-joints in an FWD application).

By: atr_hugo

atr_hugo — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 00:03:51 +0000

Actually, before BMW bought Dixi, they had a FWD prototype running. But that was a long time ago, 1927 IIRC.

By: :p

:p — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 17:02:35 +0000

I agree with you. BMW has made its own cars for the last several decades. It has made its own platform and engines. I hope it stays that way

By: travelgeek

travelgeek — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 13:20:06 +0000

Don´t expect a joint platform, that would hurt BMW – Peugeot would love it though. There was always a behind the scenes cooperation in terms of technology, like with the start of Diesel engines.

What is the key technology to the next gen car world? Electrical engines, batteries, the infrastructure for it. That´s a huge effort and car manufactures are looking to share the development costs, so its a must.

BMW doesn`t need any of the existing Peugeot technology. Front wheel drive? Mini. Compact rear wheel drive? 1 series. Compact SUV all wheel drive? X1.

By: paul

paul — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 20:56:01 +0000

I have been a bmw customer for almost 30 years and if in fact bmw went ahead with this fwd business they would loose a loyal customer. I am a bit fed up with this green obsession within bmw people these days…

By: Giom

Giom — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 16:33:02 +0000

True, but hybrids could be all wheel drive. As in the Vision, all wheels get to play along. I just don’t think that the engine would end up in the back if they make it a four seater family car, so, with the engine up front, the front wheels would be turning off it, and electricity would drive the rears.

Could be fun powersliding with electricity from the back… he he.

By: :p

:p — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 14:20:02 +0000

I agree, but even with hybrids, Dont end up like Mercedes Benz and its A and B class. Keep a Rear Wheel Drive and AWD and only those.

By: Giom

Giom — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 06:08:07 +0000

I agree that a FWD 1 series is unlikely. Why else would Project-I exist other than to give BMW a FWD car – probably a hybrid of some sorts. Think about this, if they change the One into FWD for economic purposes, then they’ll have to change the entire family to FWD. This just won’t happen.