BMW has finally done it - Front Wheel Drive - but why?

Wait. Really? That has to be a joke. Well that was my first response, and probably yours as well. It sort of makes sense though. We all know that companies make the most money on their high volume low end cars, and BMW doesn't really have a proper "low end car" - nor should they. That's what sub-brands are for. At least that was their philosophy until now. If I recall correctly, that was the line of thinking behind acquiring MINI - to help lower certain mileage and emission averages for BMW as a company. The new MINIs sold like hot cakes, regardless of what anyone thought about them. In fact they sold too well, which lead to various unsavory incarnations like the SUV version.

Enter the new BMW 1 series, which will apparently have a sideways motor and front wheel drive. That's not to say that FWD cars can't be fun, quick or just good all around. For example I own a Fiesta ST - along with an old M3 and a Tesla. The ST very much holds its own in many categories - you just can't beat the lightness and lively handling. This of course doesn't mean that lightness is exclusive to front wheel drive, but the overall design and size of the vehicle. Either way, it's a fun car and I think Ford knocked it out of the park, for what it is and what it costs.

What will happen is this new 1 series will go down as the weirdest BMW in recent history, not only the first but also the last of its kind. Eventually and inevitably BMW will go all in with electric cars. They will return to RWD and AWD - which is very easy to do with EVs. In fact, it's the same trans-axle concept, which saves weight and costs - but mounted in the rear. No transmission tunnel. The traction is better -  especially with the weight transferring to the back when you floor it, no torque steer, ability to induce oversteer with the throttle. Front wheel drive can be made good, but rear drive is always going to be a bit better - even more so for spirited driving or competition.

Legacy car makers are scrambling to bring a range of EVs to market as we speak. By the time this thing will be at the end of it's model-year run and due for a redesign, most people will be going after EVs. At least in the North American market.

My prediction is this: I'm sure the car will be good in every way. If they can lower the price, it can be attractive to many people. While it remains to be seen how it will compare to the best FWD cars out there, a large chunk of people who might buy such a car probably don't know the difference. It'll be a great car for an average person. They want something nice at a good price point and don't care about wheel hop or torque steer. They couldn't tell you what that means and aren't particularly interested in learning about it. This is the majority of car buyers today, so not a bad market to go after.

However there won't be a successor. This isn't the start of a long bloodline, this is a stop-gap measure while the automotive industry turns on its head. I just don't see traditional FWD layouts having any purpose in the electrified future.