Fiat to jump into bed with BMW, too?
Click above for a high-res gallery of the BMW 1 Series
Dang. We've all met our fair share of individuals who get around, but Fiat seems to be taking things to new levels. Aside from its various joint ventures in emerging markets, the Italian automaker was first in bed with General Motors. That fell apart a while ago already, but now they've jumped into the sack with Chrysler. A partnership with ally Tata's Jaguar subsidiary was also rumored to be in the mix, while French auto group PSA could join in on the action, too. But the latest reports suggest that Fiat is preparing to announce another partnership, this time with BMW.
The partnership is expected to involve Fiat borrowing the platform from either the 1 Series or the MINI for Alfa Romeo's upcoming replacement for the 147 hatchback. Previous reports placed the two automakers potentially partnering on a new platform, while teaming up for sales of Alfa Romeos in North America, and but the latter will fall on Chrysler's shoulders now. Codenamed 149, the five-door counterpart to the front-drive MiTo was expected to employ Fiat's new C-Evo platform, but a switch to the MINI platform could save it the trouble, while the BMW 1 Series' architecture could put Alfa back on the rear-drive performance map.
[Source: Car and Driver via eGMCarTech]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Mr.Oak 9:07AM (1/28/2009)
The proverbial "Automotive GangBang" I once dated a hot Italian girl, she was not like this.
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Mazdamia 5:17PM (1/28/2009)
Sounds like someone is going to end up with an STD...
Hike15 9:13AM (1/28/2009)
this sounds good to me
use bmw's rwd chassis on the alfa's with alfa engines and tuning and style and you have a car i cant even imagine
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3seriesisking 12:53PM (1/28/2009)
I agree. Sounds like a good match to me.
Adam 9:30AM (1/28/2009)
What nonsense. The 149 has already been spotted testing (http://www.worldcarfans.com/9080121.009/new-alfa-149-spied-winter-testing); you can't just lift up the body and drop it on another platform without delaying the program 2-3 years (not to mention the manufacturing implications). And the Mini platform is too small--it's more appropriate for the just-launched MiTo, not the 149 (which is Golf-sized).
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RT 9:00PM (1/28/2009)
You stole the comment from me. The 149 is supposed to debut in March at Geneva; it's going to be awfully difficult to get a car produced in such a short time.
Now, I COULD see the next generation Brera being the product of such a union.
ken_aisin 9:35AM (1/28/2009)
2-timer ;)
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haudit 10:14AM (1/28/2009)
I think any tie up between BMW and Fiat would potentially be more beneficial to BMW and MINI than it would be to Fiat.
The rumour a little while ago was that Fiat would supply the next generation Grande Punto platform to BMW for use in the next MINI, thereby saving BMW hundreds of millions of Euro's in design and development costs for a dedicated front-drive with relatively limited volume or economy of scale - something that BMW can't really afford.
I don't really see much benefit to Fiat in halting the 149's development on the C-Evo platform only to restart it on the startlingly space inefficient 1-series or current MINI platform. They've already stated that they think front-drive platforms are more suitable in the small-medium segments, spanning the Mi.To to 159 in terms of size, with rear-drive being suited to sportscars like the Brera and Spider replacments, and the eventual 169 flagship saloon, which is likely to be based on either the Maserati Quattroporte or Jaguar XF platform.
As for Fiat being an automotive slut, they're just making deals that make good business sense, either by saving them money on development costs (the GM partnership, their van & MPV alliance with PSA) or make them money thanks to increased production volume (i.e supplying the Panda/500, Grande Punto and C-Evo architectures to Chrysler).
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Mobius_1 9:55AM (1/28/2009)
FIAT is a whore! :P
Anyways, that would make an amazing hatchback, Italian style and BMW handling?!? w00T!
Anyone caught buying a 1 after that must be really blind and snobbish.
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Pino 3:28PM (1/28/2009)
But an Italian Whore is the Best kind
Quuppa 4:24PM (1/28/2009)
hope not bmw handling...
Mobius_1 4:48PM (1/28/2009)
@ Pino, yes, I know ;)
@Quuppa (damn you have a weird name) what's wrong with BMW handling? It's usually acknowledged as the best in the business (for premium but nevertheless affordable cars).
aii 10:35AM (1/28/2009)
Ah, the 1-series. Even that ugly, if substantially lighter and less expensive than a 3-series, I would already own one. Not the case. Disappointing.
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jg 2:41PM (1/28/2009)
+1.
Colin Smith 10:45AM (1/28/2009)
As has been said, the 149 is nearly ready for launch already, and the BMW 1 Series chassis is hopelessly short. That car is practically a two seater and consequently is selling badly. The Mini also is too small in the back for its chassis to spawn a true four seater. Rumours, rumours.
Doubtless there will be much sharing between the auto makers, but I don't think this one is a runner. This is the year too don't forget that Fiat brings its new Multiair valve technology and twin cylinder engines to market. Between them these advances should improve both performance and economy by a factor of between ten and twenty percent. Come the certain increase in fuel prices Fiat will be well placed in 2010.
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jim3480 11:03AM (1/28/2009)
My next car is going to be the 149. I am so, so happy that Fiat will not be putting a Chrysler badge on it and will be selling it as an Alfa instead.
As for 1-Series, I don't get it at all. Small, cramped, heavy, ugly, overpriced.....WTF
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Gardiner Westbound 11:07AM (1/28/2009)
Reminds of a girl I knew in high school. Everybody got a piece of her.
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Coco 12:10PM (1/28/2009)
Why not, bimmers are about as reliable as Fiats anyway. good match.
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jg 12:02AM (1/29/2009)
Mine is reliable. What's wrong with yours?
Shiftright 3:57AM (1/29/2009)
Then they should be pretty reliable. Seriously, update your stereotypes. The whole unreliable Italian car thing is so 80s.