BMW 1 Series GT Coming to Paris Motor Show with Front-Wheel Drive

BMWBMWGermany, 1918 > present87 models
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is about to begin a huge experiment. At the Paris Motor Show, it will debut the 1 series GTBMW 1 Series Gen.2 [F20] Germany, 2011 > present130 versions
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, the first front-wheel drive BMW-branded vehicle ever offered. Will buyers latch on to a BMW that is not rear-wheel drive? The platform will also be used for the next generation BMW X1BMW X1Germany, 2009 > present51 versions
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and next generation Mini CooperMINI (BMW) MINIGermany, 2001 > present3 series
123 versions
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. 

“A front-wheel-drive BMW will definitely come. We have a lot of experience. We know how to make the car turn-in sharply to corners and we know how to tune the steering so that there isn’t much torque steer," said Dr. Klaus Dräger, BMW head of supply and purchasing. 

The 1 series GT will fill the gap in size between the current Mini Cooper and standard 1 series. The next Mini will be a slightly sportier car in terms of handling to differentiate it from the 1 GT further. The BMW will have a power advantage over the Mini, but both are reported to use three- and four-cylinder engines. One further difference will be that the GT will get an optional eight-speed automatic while the Mini will have an optional six-speed automatic. 

The engines will be based around BMW's new modular engine architecture that allows engineers to add cylinders in 500cc increments. It means that BMW will be able to build engines more cheaply because parts will be shared among them starting at a 1.5-liter three-cylinder and ranging to a 3.0-liter six-cylinder. 

The Paris Motor Show begins on September 29. 

Source: Auto Express