It was only a matter of time till the current economic conditions and upcoming fuel consumption standards start to have a major influence on what type of vehicles manufacturers will introduce into the market in the interim. BMW is one of many auto makers to make drastic changes when it comes to more efficient vehicles by primarily using forced induction. Now they will introduce their very first front-wheel-drive vehicle at the upcoming Paris Auto Show.
Reportedly, BMW will debut its new front-wheel-drive 1 Series late September of this year at the Paris Auto Show. What is said to be under the development code UKL, an acronym for the Garman word “unter klasse” meaning “entry level” in English, is a BMW 1 Series GT. The 1 Series GT will feature a front-wheel-drive platform powered by a choice of a three or four cylinder turbo engine. Plans to offer a Hybrid and xDrive version is said to be in the works as well. The new powerplants will be used in future MINI vehicles also.
The new BMW 1 Series Gran Turismo will be one of many new front-wheel-drive BMW vehicles to come down the pipeline. We expect the new BWM front-wheel-drive vehicles to be among the most efficient in the vehicle lineup with a potential of reaching US shores to compete with similar offerings from other auto brands.