Front-drive BMW to be previewed at Paris

As previously reported, the second-generation 1-Series is set to be last small BMW to be rear-wheel drive.

The first ever front-wheel-drive BMW is expected to be unveiled as a concept car in September as part of the Paris motor show.
The underpinnings of the Mini brand’s five-door hatch forms the basis of a broader front-wheel-drive platform strategy instigated by parent company BMW.
Developed under the internal working name UKL (an acronym for the German words “unter klasse”, or entry level), it aims to not only increase the number of front-wheel-drive models offered by Mini but also provide the basis for a ground-breaking new front-wheel-drive BMW that is planned to form part of an increased number of 1-Series models by the middle of the decade.
Likely to be called the 1-Series GT, the new entry-level BMW reported previously by Drive is set to be previewed in concept form at the Paris motor show in September, ahead of a planned introduction in late 2014 or early 2015.

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As well as running the front-wheel-drive underpinnings developed by Mini and BMW, the new Mercedes B-Class-rivalling hatchback will use the firm’s new turbocharged 1.5-litre, three-cylinder petrol engine, which will also be used in the next generation of Minis.
Relying on the same modular construction techniques evident in its diesel engines, the new petrol engine shares its 500cc individual cylinder capacity and other key elements with BMW’s classic 3.0-litre straight six-cylinder petrol unit.
The new 1-Series GT will represent a radical departure for BMW, which has long boasted of the dynamic and performance advantages of rear-wheel-drive cars.
However, front-wheel-drive cars bring benefits in packaging and reduced weight, which helps reduce fuel use and improve environmental performnance.
Then it’ll be up to the marketing department to convince buyers a BMW driving the front wheels still lives up to the “ultimate driving machine” promise.