BMW unveiled its concept car, the Active Tourer a couple of months ago. It is the first front-wheel-drive crossover from the German carmaker. The production version of the car is anticipated to reach the dealerships in the United States of America by early 2015. Also with the Active Tourer, rumours are that it might sport the 1-Series moniker.
Ian Robertson, BMW Group's board member for sales and marketing, confirmed to Automotive News that the new BMW/Mini architecture will be shared by the Active Tourer and also its three-and four-cylinder engines. Though it is primarily a front wheel-drive, the architecture has also been designed for an all-wheel-drive. The Active Tourer will be constructed with a new lengthy wheelbase as well, apart from the regular one, leading to increased passenger space at the back of the vehicle.
Robertson also added, "If I look at the first generation 1 series in 2004, 80 percent of the customers were new to the brand. You will see BMW push into segments where we haven't been before. With the Active Tourer, we will get a lot of new customers again. They will come out of the premium segment and from some of the volume players."
BMW’s plan is to get the Active Tourer to compete with the GLA crossover from Mercedes-Benz which is scheduled to go on sale in the US by end of next year. The 1 Series, a rear-wheel-drive variant, is currently sold only as a coupe and a convertible in the US. With this new crossover, the platform is predicted to be changed. BMW will considerably reduce its costs with the front-wheel-drive and such a car should enjoy a good demand in developing car markets like India.
