Will ever take place a RWD, hatchback challange between Alfa Romeo and BMW?
For years the question was nearly: will Alfa ever come back and deliver again RWD cars? A segment C hatchback for sure would give a run for its money to the sharp BMW 1 Series.
Nowadays the issue could be reversed.
Reportedly the actual BMW 1 Series is supposed to be the last BMW RWD hatchback beacause as worldwide reported, the next generation should share the UKL platform with the new Mini models and with the sort of minivan 2 Series Active Tourer. On the other hand Alfa Romeo and Maserati CEO Harald Wester officially declared that no new Alfa Romeos will be front wheel driven any more. Point of fact, the new Giulietta will not be an exception. He added: "if others changed their mind, will be better for us".
The good news is that customers will have in any case the possibility to purchase and enjoy an RWD car in the C segment.
But there is still a chance to see a competition between the german and italian manifacturer.
BMW official, Klaus Fröhlich, boss of BMW R&D in an interview, said that there is still a chance to mantain the future 1 Series on the noble and driving pleasure oriented RWD platform. While the cheaper UKL will in any case suit the Mini roster and the BMW minivan. The final crucial decision will be taken in within the end of 2015.
Here what he said: "If rear drive, we would lose advantages of luggage space. But if one sort of customer wants space, he can get the (FWD) 2 Series Active Tourer. The 1 Series is about conquest sales, so it has to be a true BMW. We don't have to decide until the end of this year."
There are thousands of good reasons to explain why switching the 1 Series to FWD would be a bad move for BMW in the medium and long term. The almost unique technical feature of the RWD, can represent a precious asset for sales and premium brand's perception in the competitive C segment.
But the board of directors could in any case be attracted by the savings of a cost cutting policy with benefits only in the short period. How many car guys they have in the board in Munich?
For years the question was nearly: will Alfa ever come back and deliver again RWD cars? A segment C hatchback for sure would give a run for its money to the sharp BMW 1 Series.
Nowadays the issue could be reversed.
Reportedly the actual BMW 1 Series is supposed to be the last BMW RWD hatchback beacause as worldwide reported, the next generation should share the UKL platform with the new Mini models and with the sort of minivan 2 Series Active Tourer. On the other hand Alfa Romeo and Maserati CEO Harald Wester officially declared that no new Alfa Romeos will be front wheel driven any more. Point of fact, the new Giulietta will not be an exception. He added: "if others changed their mind, will be better for us".
The good news is that customers will have in any case the possibility to purchase and enjoy an RWD car in the C segment.
But there is still a chance to see a competition between the german and italian manifacturer.
BMW official, Klaus Fröhlich, boss of BMW R&D in an interview, said that there is still a chance to mantain the future 1 Series on the noble and driving pleasure oriented RWD platform. While the cheaper UKL will in any case suit the Mini roster and the BMW minivan. The final crucial decision will be taken in within the end of 2015.
Here what he said: "If rear drive, we would lose advantages of luggage space. But if one sort of customer wants space, he can get the (FWD) 2 Series Active Tourer. The 1 Series is about conquest sales, so it has to be a true BMW. We don't have to decide until the end of this year."
There are thousands of good reasons to explain why switching the 1 Series to FWD would be a bad move for BMW in the medium and long term. The almost unique technical feature of the RWD, can represent a precious asset for sales and premium brand's perception in the competitive C segment.
But the board of directors could in any case be attracted by the savings of a cost cutting policy with benefits only in the short period. How many car guys they have in the board in Munich?
Update: as per revised FCA Business Plan update (dated January, 27th 2016) the new RWD Hatchback will be ready by December 2020.
FCA Business Plan update. Alfa Romeo. January, 27th 2016
