For AutoExpress, Ian Robertson, BMW board member for sales and Marketing, has confirmed that company will produce 11 vehicles based on the new front-wheel drive platform. The UKL1 platform also offers a four-wheel drive configuration.
The new MINI, revealed last month, will be the first model to benefit from the new platform with a second model, BMW ActiveTourer, to follow in 2014. The three-cylinder powered Active Tourer will debut at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show.
“The Active Tourer will be the first front-wheel drive BMW, the first to use a three-cylinder engine and you’ll see it at a motor show early next year,” Robertson revealed. “You’ve seen the concept, and the actual car is extremely close.”
Robertson says that 8 models of the new MINI are expected, including three and five-door hatchbacks and replacements for the Cabriolet, Clubman, Countryman and Paceman. A sporty MINI MX-5 rival, to replace the slow-selling Roadster and Coupe models, is also planned along with an MPV and a sedan for the Chinese market.
The BMW Active Tourer will be sold under the 2 Series badge, so essentially it will be labeled BMW 2 Series Active Tourer. The car will be offered with a five and seven-seat configuration. Another FWD to join the lineup will be a small SUV sitting below the X1 (just a rumor at this point) and possible a super MINI to compete with the A1 (even though the JCW MINI might be enough).
[Via IndianAutosblog]
