With the new one, BMW is changing from rear-wheel to front-wheel drive and says goodbye to the six-cylinder series. That may bring some traditionalists on the palm, but the compact model is better than ever.
It was to be expected that critics once again raise their finger and accuse BMW of abandoning its traditional values. That was already the case with the threesome. Here it was said on some models: say goodbye to the six-cylinder in-line engine. With the new one, internally F 40 called, say the Munich car manufacturer even never again to the six-cylinder and the standard drive (engine front longitudinally, drive behind), so far an absolute unique feature in the compact class. The F40 switches to the platform UKL2, which means: engine transversely, maximum four cylinders and front-wheel drive. "For the customer, it is not a purchase-critical criterion, where the drive sits on a vehicle," it says from the marketing department at BMW.
However, the layout of the UKL2 platform does not offer any underestimating advantages in the package: with the same vehicle size, there is more room for occupants and luggage. Just here the one against the competition had the disadvantage. And on the subject of driving dynamics, the engineers seem to have pulled out all the stops of their skills, even promise a better agility than its predecessor F 20.
At the market launch at the end of September, the new one will start with five engines. All have been redesigned, do more and use less. The entry-level diesel 116d (85 kW / 116 PS) with its 1,5-liter three-cylinder is the only one in the model range that complies with the Euro 6d emissions standard. At the top are the 118d (110 kW / 150 PS) and the 120d xDrive (140 kW / 190 PS). Somewhat later, BMW supplements the diesel line with the 125d with 170 kW / 231 PS.
How much the sales place on the diesel, shows the gasoline side. At first, only the 118i with its 103 kW / 140 PS is available, except for the 306 PS strong M135i xDrive. Under its hood is a newly developed four-cylinder, which replaces the former six-cylinder in the M140i (250 kW / 340 PS). Again, the traditionalists are promised at least identical driving values. In between BMW still sets the 120i with 140 kW / 190 PS and the 128i. He should like the 125d also have 170 kW / 231 PS. As the smallest gasoline engine announced for next year nor the 116i with about 85 kW / 116 PS.
The subject of electrification has to wait for the new one. For reasons of efficiency, the 48 Volt mild hybrid system will only introduce BMW in higher classes. A plug-in hybrid as 125xe with e-motor on the rear axle but there should be 2020.
The production of the F 20 takes place in Leipzig, as of November also in Regensburg. The five-door hatchback is not the first one based on UKL2. In China is already running a one-saloon from the tape. Export to Germany? Locked out. Just like the Chinese X1 with a longer wheelbase. He would be ideal for a plug-in hybrid due to the larger battery capacity, but this does not exclude a X1 25xe basically. Officially, BMW has not announced anything, but the upcoming facelift (LCI) of the X1 also includes this type of electrification for 2020. In addition, the latest generation of battery cells promises electric ranges of over 50 kilometers. The facelift of the X1 is extremely visually in a new front, new taillights and in the cockpit by a larger display. For 2023, the next generation of the X1 is on the agenda. It will also be available as an electric variant iX1.
Already for spring 2020, BMW has announced the four-door two-door Grand Coupe. It is based unlike the coupe not on a shortened tripartite architecture, but also on UKL2. Targets should be the Coupe Coupe (Premiere in November in Los Angeles) mainly on the Mercedes CLA coupe.
Remains still the Bavarian counterpart to the B-class. BMW holds despite declining demand for the van. The Active Tourer is likely to be renewed 2021, but then in only one version. The Gran Tourer receives no successor.