REPORT: BMW developing new 0 Series on Mini platform
Mini Clubman JCW in the Autoblog Garage – Click above for high-res image gallery
The BMW 3 Series, once the smallest car in the company's catalog, has grown tremendously over the past few generations. So to meet demand for smaller vehicles, the Bavarian automaker has been continuously cranking out smaller models to slot in below it. Reports now indicate that BMW is preparing a new 0 Series to bridge the gap between the 1 Series and the Mini.
According to the reports, BMW will base the new 0 Series on the next Mini's platform, which tells us two things: first, that it will break with company convention and go front-wheel-drive, and second, that they're planning on developing the next Mini in-house, instead of co-developing it with another automaker. Meanwhile the 0 Series is expected to arrive in three- and five-door hatchback body styles, and potentially (as is usually the case with BMW rumors) breed a compact roadster as well. The point of the 0 Series is to help the company bring down its environmental impact overall, while flipping the same coin to offer premium buyers a smaller, more efficient package.
[Source: CAR Magazine via MotoringFile]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Chris 2:34PM (10/08/2009)
Minis are too cartoonish, so sign me up!
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chconline 3:57PM (10/08/2009)
Which brings to the question, when would they make the -1 series?
I personally would love to get my hands on a new radical BMW such as the sqrt(7) series.
Sea Urchin 2:36PM (10/08/2009)
The ultimate biking machine?
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DP San Diego 4:34PM (10/08/2009)
Is there actually a gap to be bridged between the 1 series and the Mini? Really?
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Art 2:41PM (10/08/2009)
No...NO. there is NO demand for this
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yosh 2:52PM (10/08/2009)
I agree, all it's going to do is tarnish the BMW name. They aren't utilizing the MINI brand effectively. IMO the 3-series should be the smallest BMW and MINI should handle the rest.
MixiM 3:05PM (10/08/2009)
Totally agree with you, makes no sense that they want to lower their emissions quota since MINI still is under the BMW umbrella?! Front wheel drive BMW, Blasphemy! They will simply cannibalize each other...
3 series should be the smallest one, although... A better or simply much lighter one-series would be really interesting!
nomercy346 3:22PM (10/08/2009)
All those people craving for a European like market and gas taxed to $4.00 should put their money where there mouth is and get one of those. Preferably with a sub 100hp diesel. This is as European as they come. Overpriced subcompact with lots of features. Low fuel consumption, cosmopolitan cool etc. Bet you could get the holy manual trans too.
What? No one wants it? Why?
LOL
Bloke 3:46PM (10/08/2009)
"All those people craving for a European like market and gas taxed to $4.00 should put their money where there mouth is and get one of those. Preferably with a sub 100hp diesel. This is as European as they come. Overpriced subcompact with lots of features. Low fuel consumption, cosmopolitan cool etc. Bet you could get the holy manual trans too."
There's nothing to indicate that a proposed 0-series will be sold in the United States. The B-segment there is simply too minute to accommodate it. But if it was to be, the only manner in which BMW could pitch it at a price point acceptable to Americans would be to follow Ford's route with the original Focus - vastly dumb down the specification, use far inferior quality materials and have it built by a bunch of Mexicans earning a few Pesos an hour. Ultimately, you get what you're prepared to pay for. If you want inexpensive, you'll almost certainly get cheap.
Sandok 4:02PM (10/08/2009)
Ever since the 1 series gave the option of a "traditional" look, I see a LOT of them around! And not just any 1 series but 135i are quite common so people seriously love the look, which means there is a market for a smaller BMW than a 3 series.
As for canabilizing sales, I doubt it. Minis are too popular here in CH (I've seen them all from Mini GP to the latest JCW) and people are finally opting for other similar cars just to avoid the badge. If BMW brought out 0 series, then those people who still want a fancy small hatchback with badge appeal can still give BMW their money!
Win-win!
Chris 4:54PM (10/08/2009)
I would never buy a Mini, but would love a 0-Series. How's that for cannibalizing?
Randy915 12:52AM (10/09/2009)
Ha you'd be surprised what people will buy with a BMW badge on it.
StickShift 2:41PM (10/08/2009)
This would make a good Isetta, but not a proper BMW.
Then again, the X1/X3/X5/X6 aren't proper BMWs either. Oh well, its their brand cachet to do with as they please.
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Bloke 2:53PM (10/08/2009)
Given that the very first BMW car was a rebadged Austin Seven built under licence, it makes you wonder what actually constitutes a "proper" BMW, eh?
jg 3:00PM (10/08/2009)
'Given that the very first BMW car was a rebadged Austin Seven built under licence, it makes you wonder what actually constitutes a "proper" BMW, eh?'
Good point. IMO a BMW is a car that's more fun to drive than it is to look at.
Franz 3:01PM (10/08/2009)
People said the same thing about the Cayenne not being a real Porsche... but it hardly matters: Porsche sells more of them than any other model I think. I'm pretty sure lots of people would buy a small fwd BMW. The purists won't (neither would I) but I wouldn't bet against them finding plenty of takers.
Matt 2:42PM (10/08/2009)
NO! I refuse to accept a front-wheel-drive BMW. Garbage if this is true.
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Steven 2:45PM (10/08/2009)
Good thing my enthusiasm for BMW waned 5 years ago...or I'd be pissed.
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Phil Perman 2:45PM (10/08/2009)
I think just as likely as a FWD BMW is an RWD or AWD mini, so all might not be lost just yet
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Matt 2:55PM (10/08/2009)
we could only hope!