BMW May Offer One Front-Wheel Drive Model in US

In an interview with Automotive News, BMWBMWGermany, 1918 > present87 models
8471 photos
43 videos
North America CEO Ludwig Willisch said that it will also introduce the 3 SeriesBMW BMW 3 Series Gen.6 [F30/F31]Germany, 2012 > present115 versions
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GT, 4 Series coupeBMW Concept 4 Series CoupéGermany, 2013 > 201319 photos
and new X5BMW X5 Gen.3Germany, 2014 > present12 versions
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later this year. The X4BMW X4 ConceptGermany, 2014 > 2013 will come in the first half of next year. It will also add updated diesel engines to the 3 Series and 5 SeriesBMW 5 Series Gen.6 [F10]Germany, 2010 > 2016180 versions
475 photos
this year. 

Willisch insinuated that the future for front-wheel drive BMW's in the US is slightly unclear. It will definitely get the third generation MiniMINI (BMW) MINIGermany, 2001 > present3 series
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, but the only front-wheel drive model in the BMW lineup will be the Concept Active TourerBMW Concept Active TourerGermany, 2012 > 201240 photos
.

"The next car that we are going to launch in that [front-wheel drive] segment is the car that you have seen, the Concept Active Tourer. That car will hit the market in the foreseeable future but not this year.

There are customers that want a car that is good looking and has more versatility. You can fold the seats down for cargo and drive with five people. A concept that has a drivetrain with front-wheel drive is much more helpful as far as interior space than one where you have the engine in the front and the rear axle is driven," said Willisch.

Europe will get a much wider range of BMW front-wheel drive models

Willisch also clarified how the iBMW i3Germany, 2011 > present26 photos
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cars would be sold in the US.

"It is a module for the showroom made out of wood. You can have two sizes -- one for i3 and the other that combines i3 and i8. It is a separate area, a light-colored wooden display. It curves around and covers the wall. It's a special environment where you show the cars," he said.

Source: Automotive News Europe