BMW Plans to Continue RWD Platform for the 2018 1-Series

 MANILA: Until now, it was supposed that the BMW 2018 1-Series will be based on front wheel drive platform, but the twist in the story comes with the interview conducted with the BMW's Research and Development Chief where he stated that he wants the 1-Series to be based on the rear wheel drive platform only.

In a talk with Motor Trend, BMW AG Board of Management member Klaus Frohlich stated that the company is not yet sure of whether to make its next-generation 5-door hatchback an FWD car. But the 1-Series is a kind of car that the RWD enthusiasts would look forward to, besides its 3 and 5-Series model.

"If rear drive, we would lose advantages of luggage space. But if one sort of customer wants space, he can get the 2-Series Active Tourer. The 1-Series is all about conquest sales, so it has to be a true BMW. We don't have to decide until the end of this year," said Frohlich. This reflects that the decision is not firm yet. Moreover, BMW also has a choice of two platforms for its 1-Series. First is the UKL platform that supports front wheel drive and the second is CLAR platform that supports rear wheel drive. But since the brand is focusing on modularity, nothing concrete can be said about the platform yet. When comes the engines, both petrol and diesel variants are expected.

As of now the things are sounding good! Let's see what lies in the reality and what platform the car is actually based on.