CarWale
    AD

    BMW's five and seven-seater MPVs spotted

    Authors Image

    Fleme Varkey

    4,677 Views
    BMW's five and seven-seater MPVs spotted

    Spotted testing once more were the well-camouflaged new models of the BMW 1-Series. The UKL1 platform, a major investment by the Bavarian automaker, supposed to be powering the new generation MINIs, will be seen in the 1-Series. There is also speculation that the next batch of X1s might also go FWD.

    The new BMW 1-series GT will offer a choice of wheelbases for five and seven-seat options. This could go on sale as early as early 2014, as a rival to the Mercedes B-Class.

    About four years ago, BMW decided to start building front-drive cars under its own badge, a decision that came after a lot of deliberation since the luxury carmakers did not want themselves associated with ‘cheap’ in any way. But due to the economic conditions in its international markets it was forced to rethink its stance. By building two ranges of front-wheel-drive (and all-wheel-drive) cars, BMW hopes to increase its profitability.

    The platform which makes the new FWD change possible is a typically modern modular architecture that will come in three wheelbases and at least two different seat heights. The UKL1 will underpin a very wide range of compact vehicles, from 3.8m to about 4.4m in length.

    Looking at the cars that have been well camouflaged one can barely make out anything. Both body styles of the series will use BMW's new generation of 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol and diesel engines, which have already been tested on the current 1-Series hatchback. The one which is the bigger of the two has a different hatch, but there appear to be similarities between the car's bodywork. Though the duo will not be getting the ‘series’ tag, they will be getting some really catchy codenames like FAST (Family Active Sports Tourer) for the smaller car and CAT (Compact Active Tourer) for the other.

    It is likely that such vehicles have been aimed at newer markets like India, Russia and Brazil. Due to the difference in the purchasing behaviour of these markets as compared to BMW’s traditional strongholds in Europe and USA they will be significant for the German automaker. So significant  that we expect  BMW will start local assembly for them right from day one.  

    Gallery

    2018 Mini Countryman Launched Explained in details
    youtube-icon
    2018 Mini Countryman Launched Explained in details
    By CarWale Team04 May 2018
    18893 Views
    22 Likes

    Featured Cars

    • Popular
    • JUST LAUNCHED
    • Upcoming
    Skoda Kylaq
    Skoda Kylaq
    Rs. 7.89 Lakhonwards
    Avg. Ex-Showroom price
    Show price in my city
    JUST LAUNCHED
    6th NOV
    Tata Curvv
    Tata Curvv
    Rs. 9.99 Lakhonwards
    Avg. Ex-Showroom price
    Show price in my city
    Mahindra Thar Roxx
    Mahindra Thar Roxx
    Rs. 12.99 Lakhonwards
    Avg. Ex-Showroom price
    Show price in my city
    Tata Nexon
    Tata Nexon
    Rs. 8.00 Lakhonwards
    Avg. Ex-Showroom price
    Show price in my city
    Maruti Suzuki Fronx
    Maruti Fronx
    Rs. 7.51 Lakhonwards
    Avg. Ex-Showroom price
    Show price in my city
    Hyundai Creta
    Hyundai Creta
    Rs. 11.00 Lakhonwards
    Avg. Ex-Showroom price
    Show price in my city
    Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder
    Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder
    Rs. 11.14 Lakhonwards
    Avg. Ex-Showroom price
    Show price in my city
    Mahindra XUV 3XO
    Mahindra XUV 3XO
    Rs. 7.79 Lakhonwards
    Avg. Ex-Showroom price
    Show price in my city
    Skoda Kylaq
    Skoda Kylaq
    Rs. 7.89 Lakhonwards
    Avg. Ex-Showroom price
    Show price in my city
    JUST LAUNCHED
    6th NOV
    Mercedes-Benz AMG G-Class
    Mercedes-Benz AMG G-Class
    Rs. 3.60 Croreonwards
    Avg. Ex-Showroom price
    Show price in my city
    JUST LAUNCHED
    22nd OCT
    Volvo EX40
    Volvo EX40
    Rs. 56.10 Lakhonwards
    Avg. Ex-Showroom price
    Show price in my city
    Mercedes-Benz E-Class
    Mercedes-Benz E-Class
    Rs. 78.50 Lakhonwards
    Avg. Ex-Showroom price
    Show price in my city
    BYD eMax 7
    BYD eMax 7
    Rs. 26.90 Lakhonwards
    Avg. Ex-Showroom price
    Show price in my city
    Nissan Magnite
    Nissan Magnite
    Rs. 6.00 Lakhonwards
    Avg. Ex-Showroom price
    Show price in my city
    Kia Carnival
    Kia Carnival
    Rs. 63.90 Lakhonwards
    Avg. Ex-Showroom price
    Show price in my city
    Kia EV9
    Kia EV9
    Rs. 1.30 Croreonwards
    Avg. Ex-Showroom price
    Show price in my city
    Maruti Suzuki Dzire 2024
    LAUNCHING SOON
    Nov 2024
    Maruti Dzire 2024

    Rs. 7.00 - 10.00 LakhEstimated Price

    11th Nov 2024Expected Launch

    Get Launch Alert on WhatsApp

    Mercedes-Benz AMG C 63 S E-Performance
    LAUNCHING SOON
    Nov 2024
    Mercedes-Benz AMG C 63 S E-Performance

    Rs. 2.00 - 2.10 CroreEstimated Price

    12th Nov 2024Expected Launch

    Get Launch Alert on WhatsApp

    Mahindra BE 6e
    Mahindra BE 6e

    Rs. 17.00 - 21.00 LakhEstimated Price

    26th Nov 2024Unveil Date

    Get Launch Alert on WhatsApp

    Mahindra XEV 9e
    Mahindra XEV 9e

    Rs. 50.00 - 52.00 LakhEstimated Price

    26th Nov 2024Expected Launch

    Get Launch Alert on WhatsApp

    Audi Q6 e-tron
    Audi Q6 e-tron

    Rs. 1.00 - 1.10 CroreEstimated Price

    Dec 2024 (Tentative)Expected Launch

    Get Launch Alert on WhatsApp

    Mercedes-Benz G-Class with EQ Power
    Mercedes-Benz G-Class with EQ Power

    Rs. 3.04 - 5.00 CroreEstimated Price

    Dec 2024 (Tentative)Expected Launch

    Get Launch Alert on WhatsApp

    Honda New Amaze
    Honda New Amaze

    Rs. 7.50 - 10.00 LakhEstimated Price

    Dec 2024 (Tentative)Expected Launch

    Get Launch Alert on WhatsApp

    Mahindra XUV.e8
    Mahindra XUV.e8

    Rs. 21.00 - 30.00 LakhEstimated Price

    Dec 2024 (Tentative)Expected Launch

    Get Launch Alert on WhatsApp

    Popular Videos

    2018 Mini Countryman Launched Explained in details
    youtube-icon
    2018 Mini Countryman Launched Explained in details
    By CarWale Team04 May 2018
    18893 Views
    22 Likes
    Mail Image
    Sign up for our Newsletter
    Get all the latest updates from the automobile universe
    • Home
    • News
    • BMW's five and seven-seater MPVs spotted