11-15-2018, 11:00 AM | #354 |
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Things were already confusing enough that two completely different cars, the F22 and F45 were both called the 2 Series. Trying to fit all the variants that BMW are wanting to make into a base 10 numeric system has become quite a mess.
Maybe as the cars got bigger and bigger, they should have bumped their class numbers up. The 3 would become the 4 and the 1 coupe could become a 3 instead of a 2. Then just make a coupe and sedan version of both the 4 (current 3/4) and the 3 (current 2 coupe) and reserve 1 and 2 for the FWD variants of sedans and hatchbacks. They threw the whole 4 doors odd, 2 doors even out the door when they started doing the GC stuff. Isn't the 2 GC really just a 1 series sedan (like every GC) with less headroom for rear passengers? |
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11-15-2018, 04:43 PM | #355 |
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So there will be an M Performance M235i xDrive Gran Coupe.
Following on from the X2M35i xDrive. M Performance now breaks that forbidden taboo. Fwd. In China they have just updated the F52 1er Sedan and introduced the first M Packet.
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11-15-2018, 05:11 PM | #357 |
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exactly, if it doesn't have straight 6, RWD and manual, then we should just get an audi. Golf R for that matter.
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11-16-2018, 06:16 AM | #358 |
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The pics Scott posted don't look too bad. How this sells versus the new 3 series will come down to price. This needs to be price competitive with other cars in its class to draw new buyers in the brand. It has to be at least $5K less than the starter 3 series. I'd like to see this with a M sport aero kit, a sight drop, and different wheels. It has potential in M235i form for around town use... not the track. I could see myself being drawn to this as a dad helping out his recent college grad son. After all, he sure isn't getting my M2!
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11-16-2018, 09:33 AM | #359 |
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See, now I happen to think that looks really good. Looks properly aggressive in front, and much better proportioned than the A3. I don't understand why BMW made this a China-only model. Audi and Benz each sell 2-3k A3's and CLA's here per month. Benz is bringing over a new A-class sedan IN ADDITION to a new CLA, that's how well they've done. Why won't BMW bring this here? Give it a nice interior, all the tech stuff, and make sure it drives well, and they'd sell.
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11-16-2018, 10:06 AM | #360 | |
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I guess a nail in the coffin for BMW making a hatch with a high-output four. No-one will buy them, because other manufacturers are already making them Well, I've always said that car design is basically converging on singular ways of doing it... |
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11-16-2018, 12:11 PM | #361 |
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I was hoping for a RWD 2GC. Didn't plan on having passengers of the human kind--just my two lapdogs on the rear seat. Didn't want the silhouette of a sedan--just the coupe.
Oh well, next. |
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11-16-2018, 03:29 PM | #362 | |
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My concern is whether would mess with the 2 series which is great the way it is now. |
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11-16-2018, 07:06 PM | #363 |
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Next generation 2 series two door with still be rear drive with a longitudinal engine, just the GC will be on the transverse engine platform. People say that the minis handle well. This will be on the mini platform. It'll probably handle well.
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11-16-2018, 07:50 PM | #364 | |
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Although my wife has an X1 so I kind of do already, lol |
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11-17-2018, 08:36 AM | #366 |
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11-17-2018, 11:06 AM | #367 |
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The US gets this 2 series Gran Coupe instead of the 1-series sedan. I mean, it's basically like a BMW-badged four-door Ford Probe. I don't think that's a terrible thing, it's just a thing.
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11-19-2018, 12:17 AM | #368 | ||
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11-19-2018, 12:43 AM | #369 |
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Then again...I understand why bmw is moving in this direction. Enthusiasts tend to overestimate our impact on the broader automobile market. While I think enthusiasts still comprise a market of some significance, that market is shrinking on a global scale, and even within car enthusiast strongholds such as the U.S. My impression is that emerging markets like China value brand reputation and technology more than driving dynamics and track ability. That's not to say that motorists in emerging markets don't value a car that handles well, but they tend to prioritize other attributes over performance as an end in itself. With rising fuel costs, increasingly stringent regulations, and higher traffic volume, I expect that enthusiast models will become ever more niche. From a purely business perspective, I suppose one could just as easily critique bmw for not doing more to adapt in earlier iterations of their line up. As much as I'm loathe to admit this.
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11-19-2018, 09:58 AM | #370 |
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When I read this from the Model Pipeline thread:
"F40 M135i xDrive: I don't usually report on non-US models, but I feel I should make an exception here since the US M235i GC will be virtually the same car in a different body. So, here's what to expect: same engine as X2 M35i (300hp version of transverse B48), sport automatic only, xDrive only, M Sport configuration includes as standard: bodywork, suspension (non-adaptive), brakes, steering rack, 18" wheels. Regular sport seats will be standard, with upgraded M Sport seats optional. "This doesn't strike me as a car that will lack for driving dynamics. I mean, people race Minis and do pretty well. The 228iGC will be softer, sure, but this M-performance version should be set up pretty well. |
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11-19-2018, 07:12 PM | #371 | |
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11-19-2018, 07:28 PM | #372 |
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I am admittedly pretty interested in the reality of this car, as my e90 328 has to wear out eventually, and I'm not excited about how much the 3 series has enlarged in its recent generations.
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11-20-2018, 05:15 AM | #373 | |
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