BMW Planning as Many as 20 Front-Wheel Drive Cars, Including M

BMWBMWGermany, 1918 > present87 models
8471 photos
43 videos
Group has big plans for front-wheel drive cars in the very near future. We already know that it is planning a front-wheel drive variant of the 1 SeriesBMW 1 Series Gen.2 [F20] Germany, 2011 > present130 versions
247 photos
, and the next generation Mini CooperMINI (BMW) MINI Gen.2 [56]Germany, 2007 > 201377 versions
225 photos
2 videos
has been caught testing as well. But BMW could have as many as 20 front-wheel drive cars in its range by the end of the decade, over double what it has now. These plans include a possible front-wheel drive M car. 

“We’ve got plans to produce up to 20 new models on this platform. Not all of them have been approved yet – we’ve got approval on 10-12 new models,” said Ian Robertson, head of sales at BMW Group.

The 10-12 confirmed cars are likely replacements to the current range of MiniMINI (BMW)Germany, 2000 > present15 models
2211 photos
7 videos
products, plus the front-wheel drive 1 Series and X1 sub-compact crossover. 

BMW currently offers eight Mini models that are all available with front-wheel drive. 

The front-wheel drive M car would use the same platform as the 1 Series, but a name has not been confirmed yet. It would compete against the upcoming Mercedes A45Mercedes-Benz A-Class Gen.3 [W 176]Germany, 2012 > present33 versions
107 photos
AMG with 350hp and Audi S3Audi S3 2.0 TFSIGermany, 2012 > present28 photos
with 300hp. BMW would likely follow the same course with a high performance version of its 2.0-liter turbocharged modular engine also with about 300hp. 

The current version of the engine in the 128i has 242hp. 

According to BMW insiders, these plans are not firm yet. The company sees two ways to build its future compact sports sedan. One option is the 300hp, front wheel drive 1 Series. The other option is to use the rear-wheel drive 1 Series platform than can accommodate the company's six-cylinder engines with rear-wheel drive. This would allow for more in excess of 300hp but at the cost of economy, interior space and at a higher price. 

Source: Auto Express and Autocar