[bp_germany]

Well, Frank Weber (Head of Development) gave an interview where he made clear that conventional body shapes will be retained - even when building electric-only vehicles.
I like that, the Mercedes EQ style isn't my fav choice.

So, traditional coupés and sedans seem to be part of the offer in the future as well.

I would say that the i2 is nearer to the 1 series, X1 and so on due to the code (NB) - so maybe the next Active Tourer (not so realistic) or the future electric Gran Coupé.

If it was the the successor of the 2 series Coupé (G42), it may have a NA internal number.

Just my guess...

Thank you for this great information, ynguldyn

[rwdbmwonly]

Such a shame that Neue Klasse will get FWD derivatives as well. BMW should stick to it's core of RWD and AWD versions. FWD is for Mini's.

I was never against the launch of first FWD 2AT because of it's completely different audience compared to rest of BMW, but 1 Series attracted those keen on driving. Current FWD 1 series is a poor substitute in comparison to previous gens and the scheduled arrival of the F70 gen doesn't address the main issue with current car: it being FWD. Sad news for which we have the current buyers of FWD BMW to blame...

A short wheelbase RWD 5d car with low center of gravity is epic. Any usp that small BMWs (besides for those just buying for the badge) had is completely lost now. 1 Series should be a small 3 Series like the G42 2 Series Coupe. All hope has been lost if Neue Klasse for the lower end of the product line will be FWD based. It's a Mad World when other brands start doing electric RWD's and BMW instead moves away from it's dna.

[MadBimmeRad]

Originally Posted by rwdbmwonly

Such a shame that Neue Klasse will get FWD derivatives as well. BMW should stick to it's core of RWD and AWD versions. FWD is for Mini's.

I was never against the launch of first FWD 2AT because of it's completely different audience compared to rest of BMW, but 1 Series attracted those keen on driving. Current FWD 1 series is a poor substitute in comparison to previous gens and the scheduled arrival of the F70 gen doesn't address the main issue with current car: it being FWD. Sad news for which we have the current buyers of FWD BMW to blame...

A short wheelbase RWD 5d car with low center of gravity is epic. Any usp that small BMWs (besides for those just buying for the badge) had is completely lost now. 1 Series should be a small 3 Series like the G42 2 Series Coupe. All hope has been lost if Neue Klasse for the lower end of the product line will be FWD based. It's a Mad World when other brands start doing electric RWD's and BMW instead moves away from it's dna.

The 1 series is practically a Mini Cooper now

[rwdbmwonly]

Originally Posted by MadBimmeRad

The 1 series is practically a Mini Cooper now

Indeed. In merging the two brands onto one platform they ruined the character of both.

[ynguldyn]

Originally Posted by rwdbmwonly

Such a shame that Neue Klasse will get FWD derivatives as well. BMW should stick to it's core of RWD and AWD versions. FWD is for Mini's.

With a pure EV platform, the long list of distinctions between FWD and RWD cars (engine placement, transmission placement, front suspension design, etc etc) disappears. You simply get an electric motor on one or the other axis or both.

[rwdbmwonly]

Originally Posted by ynguldyn

With a pure EV platform, the long list of distinctions between FWD and RWD cars (engine placement, transmission placement, front suspension design, etc etc) disappears. You simply get an electric motor on one or the other axis or both.

You're saying clever things as ever. I don't disagree with your points but I do think two other distinct ones remain firmly upright though:
- being pushed rather than pulled
- dividing the tasks of driving and steering over different axles. I know we won't feel any driving forces in the steering wheel on FWD cars in the future because of drive-by-wire but driving a car with the throttle, the weight being shifted to the back during acceleration, all that basics remain despite engineering some solutions for them like active damping and clever braking on a single inner wheel.

From what I hear BMW is defending their FWD choice for lower-end BMWs on Neue Klasse with the statement that those buyers are more used to FWD handling. Besides a lame excuse in my book, this also confirms the FWD character of future NK BMWs and fuels my dislike of them.

People that love RWD BMW's but do buy FWD ones aren't helping in this debate and help cementing the thought at BMW that they are right. More customers desire RWD than they're aware of. Few are vocal about it, sadly. BMW needs to know.

Even so, in the meantime the un-BMW-like F40/F44 will be replaced with similar cars, still FWD and leaving loyal RWD-customers no family car alternative below 3 Series. That's just not right on so many levels.

If BMW won't build us a proper handling swb 5 door with RWD, who will?

If you ask me: the only solution will be to not buy FWD BMWs. Sales numbers are the only thing BMW listens to. There is still time to correct this, but not much I'm afraid.

[ynguldyn]

Originally Posted by rwdbmwonly

- being pushed rather than pulled

Determined more by software than the platform bias on AWD cars.

- dividing the tasks of driving and steering over different axles.

True for RWD-biased AWD cars, not just FWD cars.

Your alias suggests that this is a religious issue for you. Let it go. This is not 1995.

[Erebor]

Any info on when the F40 LCI will drop?
Or are the prototypes driving around already the new F70 for 07/24?

[ynguldyn]

Added 08/24 as the likely (not yet confirmed) changeover date for M2 to M2 Competition.

[atl_1M]

Originally Posted by ynguldyn

Added 08/24 as the likely (not yet confirmed) changeover date for M2 to M2 Competition.

Any idea of manual will be offered on competition? And what other changes may be coming with it?

Important question for some of us deciding whether or not to place orders for M2 after the unveil next week. Thanks as always.

[Tag]

Originally Posted by ynguldyn

Added 08/24 as the likely (not yet confirmed) changeover date for M2 to M2 Competition.

Curious on your wording. Are we to understand that 'changeover' means there will only be an M2c from that date going forward or will both an M2 and M2c be on offer?

[RPM33]

If the M2 Competition is coming in August 2024, when is the G87 M2 CS/M2 CSL coming?

[Doctor///M]

Curious that BMW can create all these variants and not homologate an estate version of their high-performance vehicles.

[mbanck]

Originally Posted by Doctor///M

Curious that BMW can create all these variants and not homologate an estate version of their high-performance vehicles.

They did exactly that, the G81 will go intro production next month.

That it's not coming to the US market is something you should ask BMWNA about, not BMW or M.

[12nine]

Maybe because it is not only homologation. I guess there are more changes in the exhaust system required, which make it more expensive.

[mbanck]

Originally Posted by 12nine

Maybe because it is not only homologation. I guess there are more changes in the exhaust system required, which make it more expensive.

What kind of changes?

So far, we thought exactly because the G81 has the same exhaust system as the G80/G82/G83, there's no tow hitch possible as it won't fit with that diffusor and exhaust system.

[fala]

thz

[MarcF10]

In my time, car things were much simpler.
BMW had series 3,5 and 7 - also the odd 6 series from Moonlighting (Bruce Willis - Cybill Shepherd).
Having lived in a time capsule for so long, when I decided to start owning and driving cars again (1-2 years ago) I looked at BMW's as my childhood memories were those of mighty sports cars with impeccable quality.
So I started paying attention at traffic lights and auto shops, only to notice the BMW's were now so many, coming in different shapes and sizes and usually driven by women and young lads.
The old 3 sized car that could take my family on a long trip and back, has now become the new 1 or 2 series or X,Y,Z series - you name it.
The old 5 series that was a statement for the middle aged white collar person, has now become the new 3 series with so many electronics, my son's XBOX looks like a remote control. And so on.
But what stayed true, was some -very few- cars delivered by some passionate old timers at the M department, who refused to let electronics and luxyry designers take control, over the brand's traditional priorities: Fun to drive, focus on driver, focus on road dynamics and performance.
These are the cars I will be looking to buy when my old F10 commits suicide, fed up with my tuning and modding attempts. At least the older generations could take some upgrading, some experimenting - even though you need a good techie to properly tune any injector these days..
BTW tuning is about optimising air flow - not always increasing boost or complicated mapping of the ECU..
Now I am looking at the recent BMW cars announced. The M2 looks quite hardcore despite the overly protruding rear side and pumped arches. You can easily tune the car to deliver 100hp more. And you can easily upgrade the appearance. I do anticipate this car will be the new racing platform for BMW almost resembling the old E30 M3 in terms of agressiveness.
And that's all from me folks. Enjoy the rest of your day driving your cars and dreaming electric dreams

[Markz815]

Do you know when m4 will get id8？

[vj123]

Originally Posted by Markz815

Do you know when m4 will get id8？

MY24, in line with 4 series update.

[Markz815]

Originally Posted by vj123

MY24, in line with 4 series update.

Thx, is that means the new interface package is id8?

[vj123]

Originally Posted by Markz815

Thx, is that means the new interface package is id8?

Yes.