BMW Canada going AWD exclusive for future models?

OSK77 · 09-17-2010, 01:39 PM

Just read this news piece yesterday. Frightening to say the least. Also, read on to find out about future M models going AWD - I'm speechless.

BMW Canada counting on all-wheel-drive models

Auto maker plans to phase out rear-wheel-drive performance vehicles

Michael Bettencourt
Globe and Mail Update
Published on Wednesday, Sep. 15, 2010 1:09PM EDT

The days of rear-wheel-drive BMWs in Canada may be numbered, BMW Canada president and CEO Franz Jung says, because Canadian buyers – even performance-minded BMW customers – simply see rear-drive as too much of a negative in the winter.

“Our aim is not to bring any rear-wheel-drive cars to Canada any more,” Jung said last week at briefing at BMW’s new Canadian LEED-certified headquarters in Richmond Hill, Ont., provoking gasps of shock among the journalists present, most of whom were enthusiast drivers that have long associated fine handling with RWD BMWs.

“Most of the cars we sell are all wheel-drive, all over the world actually,” said Jung. “We sell more AWD product around the world than our colleagues from Ingolstadt [Audi] – even though nobody knows that.”

Early next year, there will be a seeming tidal wave of all-new AWD crossovers from the company, Jung confirmed. There will be the striking new BMW X3, promising to be the first vehicle to offer Blackberry users e-mail to speech technology; the smaller X1, which is already proving popular in Europe, that will slot in just below the X3, and the Mini Countryman will also appear, in either front or AWD versions, for the most family-oriented Mini ever.

There will be news on the car side, although nowhere near as radical. The 5-Series sedan that BMW Canada can’t get quick enough from Germany will see an AWD version arrive in early October, followed by a diesel version to counter that of main rival Mercedes-Benz’s E-Class; there will also be a hybrid version (possibly in 2012). All of these will drive major traffic to BMW and Mini dealers, Jung predicted, and help the company surpass its record sales of 2008.

Seemingly contradicting Jung’s anti-RWD stance, Canadian buyers are especially passionate about BMW’s M-branded and rear-drive-only hot performance cars, purchasing the highest number of M products per capita, especially the M3 and M5. Jung acknowledged that an M version of the 1-Series Coupe will be joining the sub-brand, but also threw out the possibility that an M vehicle may not be synonymous with RWD for much longer.

“We will have the first AWD M products in the future,” he declared, not counting (or momentarily forgetting) that current M versions of the all-wheel-drive X5 and X6 SAVs are already on the market.

So will BMW Canada’s aim to phase out rear-wheel-drive mean the end of lurid tail slides on track days or in deserted wet or snowed-over parking lots? Not at all, Jung asserts.

“BMW DNA is practically only about performance,” he said. “If we have all-wheel-drive cars, they will still perform like BMWs.”

Last updated on Wednesday, Sep. 15, 2010 1:35PM EDT
Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe...rticle1708525/

machine · 09-17-2010, 01:42 PM

... and stop telling us what we want. I guess more cross border shopping lol!

BRAISKI · 09-17-2010, 01:42 PM

Can't wait for the M3 AWD! They will need to have the same or similar technology as Audi to have a better AWD system.

I would get one!

scooby9 · 09-17-2010, 04:22 PM

Shouldn't this announcement come out on April 1st... ?

cfabluenose · 09-17-2010, 09:53 PM

No more BMW's for me then. May as well get an Audi.

samchoi604 · 09-17-2010, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BRAISKI

Can't wait for the M3 AWD! They will need to have the same or similar technology as Audi to have a better AWD system.

I would get one!

No offense but M3 AWD????

If this becomes reality, I will boycott BMW and buy the 370Z.

schnell325 · 09-17-2010, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scooby9

Shouldn't this announcement come out on April 1st... ?

johnsonz1122 · 09-18-2010, 02:34 AM

bwm has changed. form n/a +rwd to turbo + awd. um. that sounds like they become an audi wanna be ? and does awd mean that the 50/50 weight distribution no longer exist?? tho i drive a xi now. but was planning to get a rwd in the future. had enough of awd.

schnell325 · 09-18-2010, 03:40 AM

|Buy your M3 now and be happy..................I hope....

OSK77 · 09-18-2010, 05:03 PM

My first BMW was a 07' 335i, my next one will be a 2010 M3 Sedan - nominated by Car and Driver as the world's best car.

Screw AWD.

BTW: The majority of Audi's sold in the US are Front wheel drive not AWD.

Irishace · 09-18-2010, 06:55 PM

This is absurd, wtf are BMW Canada thinking.

islandbimmer · 09-19-2010, 03:34 AM

these are the same idiots that came up with the 500$ tarriff on importing BMW"s from the US something Audi doesn't impose. They are worried about Audi ' no question. Their 500$ recall letter BS defines there lack of vision. they have peeved me off so much my next car will be an Audi. Wake upyou eggheads let the customer have choices wether it be RWD or AWD or a US car.

Steven L · 09-19-2010, 10:33 AM

Oh!!!NOOOOOOOOOOOOO~~~~~~~~~~

///M3Lover · 09-19-2010, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by islandbimmer

these are the same idiots that came up with the 500$ tarriff on importing BMW"s from the US something Audi doesn't impose. They are worried about Audi ' no question. Their 500$ recall letter BS defines there lack of vision. they have peeved me off so much my next car will be an Audi. Wake upyou eggheads let the customer have choices wether it be RWD or AWD or a US car.

Agreed +1.

I would want a E90 M3 AWD tho if they didn't discontinue the E90 M3 version. I am only wanting an AWD bcuz of the snow.

peanuboy · 09-19-2010, 02:55 PM

might as well change your logo to 4 rings, nice one BMW
my next car: 2014 S4

beeema_girl · 09-20-2010, 11:01 PM

NO WAAAYYY!

335BBS · 09-21-2010, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by samchoi604

No offense but M3 AWD????

If this becomes reality, I will boycott BMW and buy the 370Z.

R8, Lambo, Veyron 911 Turbo.............those arent bad cars. Buying a 370 Z makes a lot of sense.......................

335BBS · 09-21-2010, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnsonz1122

bwm has changed. form n/a +rwd to turbo + awd. um. that sounds like they become an audi wanna be ? and does awd mean that the 50/50 weight distribution no longer exist?? tho i drive a xi now. but was planning to get a rwd in the future. had enough of awd.

If you tried Audis quattro with sport suspension you might change your mind . BMW awd is brutal by comparison.

Rossland · 09-23-2010, 09:49 PM

I love my AWD, But has BMWCA never heard of giving the customer a choice? Then they will be complaining about all the Canadians buying cars in the US.

Bimmer Al · 09-23-2010, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rossland

I love my AWD, But has BMWCA never heard of giving the customer a choice? Then they will be complaining about all the Canadians buying cars in the US.

BRAISKI · 09-23-2010, 10:44 PM

Unfair advantage...

hubble bubble · 09-26-2010, 12:41 AM

I read this post, an e-mailed BMW to complain. The response I got back claimed Mr Jung has misspoken. BMW Canada's "official" version is that they will soon cease impoting RWD ONLY cars, but will continue to import RWD versions of cars that come either RWD or AWD. They gave a specific example of the 3 series being availabe in either AWD or RWD for the forseeable future.

That sounds better than the article. Maybe my current 335i isn't my last BMW.

09-17-2010, 01:39 PM	#1
OSK77 Private First Class 38 Rep 107 Posts Drives: '07 BMW 335i Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Ontario iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 335i [0.00]	BMW Canada going AWD exclusive for future models? Just read this news piece yesterday. Frightening to say the least. Also, read on to find out about future M models going AWD - I'm speechless. BMW Canada counting on all-wheel-drive models Auto maker plans to phase out rear-wheel-drive performance vehicles Michael Bettencourt Globe and Mail Update Published on Wednesday, Sep. 15, 2010 1:09PM EDT The days of rear-wheel-drive BMWs in Canada may be numbered, BMW Canada president and CEO Franz Jung says, because Canadian buyers – even performance-minded BMW customers – simply see rear-drive as too much of a negative in the winter. “Our aim is not to bring any rear-wheel-drive cars to Canada any more,” Jung said last week at briefing at BMW’s new Canadian LEED-certified headquarters in Richmond Hill, Ont., provoking gasps of shock among the journalists present, most of whom were enthusiast drivers that have long associated fine handling with RWD BMWs. “Most of the cars we sell are all wheel-drive, all over the world actually,” said Jung. “We sell more AWD product around the world than our colleagues from Ingolstadt [Audi] – even though nobody knows that.” Early next year, there will be a seeming tidal wave of all-new AWD crossovers from the company, Jung confirmed. There will be the striking new BMW X3, promising to be the first vehicle to offer Blackberry users e-mail to speech technology; the smaller X1, which is already proving popular in Europe, that will slot in just below the X3, and the Mini Countryman will also appear, in either front or AWD versions, for the most family-oriented Mini ever. There will be news on the car side, although nowhere near as radical. The 5-Series sedan that BMW Canada can’t get quick enough from Germany will see an AWD version arrive in early October, followed by a diesel version to counter that of main rival Mercedes-Benz’s E-Class; there will also be a hybrid version (possibly in 2012). All of these will drive major traffic to BMW and Mini dealers, Jung predicted, and help the company surpass its record sales of 2008. Seemingly contradicting Jung’s anti-RWD stance, Canadian buyers are especially passionate about BMW’s M-branded and rear-drive-only hot performance cars, purchasing the highest number of M products per capita, especially the M3 and M5. Jung acknowledged that an M version of the 1-Series Coupe will be joining the sub-brand, but also threw out the possibility that an M vehicle may not be synonymous with RWD for much longer. “We will have the first AWD M products in the future,” he declared, not counting (or momentarily forgetting) that current M versions of the all-wheel-drive X5 and X6 SAVs are already on the market. So will BMW Canada’s aim to phase out rear-wheel-drive mean the end of lurid tail slides on track days or in deserted wet or snowed-over parking lots? Not at all, Jung asserts. “BMW DNA is practically only about performance,” he said. “If we have all-wheel-drive cars, they will still perform like BMWs.” Last updated on Wednesday, Sep. 15, 2010 1:35PM EDT Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe...rticle1708525/
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09-17-2010, 01:42 PM	#2
machine is also an E46 Fanatic 40 Rep 538 Posts Drives: E70 35D Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Vancouver, BC iTrader: (0)	... and stop telling us what we want. I guess more cross border shopping lol!
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09-17-2010, 01:42 PM	#3
BRAISKI Colonel 140 Rep 2,517 Posts Drives: '11 335xi e92 M-Pak Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: GTA/KW, Canada iTrader: (3) Garage List 2011 BMW 335xi [7.00]	Can't wait for the M3 AWD! They will need to have the same or similar technology as Audi to have a better AWD system. I would get one!
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09-17-2010, 04:22 PM	#4
scooby9 Major 63 Rep 1,120 Posts Drives: 2007 E90 BMW 335xi Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada iTrader: (6)	Shouldn't this announcement come out on April 1st... ? __________________ *2007 BMW 335xi 6MT TiAg*
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09-17-2010, 09:53 PM	#5
cfabluenose Lieutenant 39 Rep 430 Posts Drives: 2009 BMW 328i Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Wolfville iTrader: (0)	No more BMW's for me then. May as well get an Audi. __________________ 2009 328i
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09-18-2010, 02:34 AM	#8
johnsonz1122 First Lieutenant 19 Rep 347 Posts Drives: f30 335xi Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: vancouver iTrader: (3)	bwm has changed. form n/a +rwd to turbo + awd. um. that sounds like they become an audi wanna be ? and does awd mean that the 50/50 weight distribution no longer exist?? tho i drive a xi now. but was planning to get a rwd in the future. had enough of awd.
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09-18-2010, 03:40 AM	#9
schnell325 Bored at work.... 951 Rep 5,480 Posts Drives: 2016 F82 M4 GTS//2022 M235iGC Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Comox Valley iTrader: (8)	\|Buy your M3 now and be happy..................I hope.... __________________ Grey Matter:2008 E92 M3:608/425. SG/PS SOLD! Dark Matter:2015 F80 M3:495/505. SOLD! Anti Matter :2016 F82 M4 GTS 2024 U11 X1 2.8i
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09-18-2010, 05:03 PM	#10
OSK77 Private First Class 38 Rep 107 Posts Drives: '07 BMW 335i Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Ontario iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 335i [0.00]	My first BMW was a 07' 335i, my next one will be a 2010 M3 Sedan - nominated by Car and Driver as the world's best car. Screw AWD. BTW: The majority of Audi's sold in the US are Front wheel drive not AWD.
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09-18-2010, 06:55 PM	#11
Irishace ElevenPointFive 334 Rep 2,449 Posts Drives: E90 335 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Toronto iTrader: (1)	This is absurd, wtf are BMW Canada thinking. __________________ 2008 E90 335xi - N54 Daily Driver MHD Stage 2+ ~ CPE DPs ~ BMS Intake ~ AMS FMIC
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09-19-2010, 03:34 AM	#12
islandbimmer First Lieutenant 17 Rep 346 Posts Drives: 2007 e92 SG Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Victoria BC Canada iTrader: (1)	these are the same idiots that came up with the 500$ tarriff on importing BMW"s from the US something Audi doesn't impose. They are worried about Audi ' no question. Their 500$ recall letter BS defines there lack of vision. they have peeved me off so much my next car will be an Audi. Wake upyou eggheads let the customer have choices wether it be RWD or AWD or a US car.
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09-19-2010, 10:33 AM	#13
Steven L Private First Class 11 Rep 160 Posts Drives: BMW 09 335XI and 08 328i Join Date: May 2009 Location: Ontario iTrader: (0)	Oh!!!NOOOOOOOOOOOOO~~~~~~~~~~
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09-19-2010, 02:55 PM	#15
peanuboy Captain 64 Rep 799 Posts Drives: G80 M3 6MT Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Toronto, Canada iTrader: (2)	might as well change your logo to 4 rings, nice one BMW my next car: 2014 S4 __________________ 2022 Lexus LC500 2021 BMW M3 6MT 2020 Porsche 911 C4S Cab PDK 2018 Audi R8 V10 RWS RTronic 2017 Porsche 911 C4 Cab 7MT 2009 BMW E93 M3 6MT 2008 BMW E90 335i 2004 Audi A4 1.8t 6MT 2001 VW GTI 1.8T
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09-20-2010, 11:01 PM	#16
beeema_girl New Member 0 Rep 5 Posts Drives: 2007 BMW 328i Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	NO WAAAYYY!
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09-23-2010, 09:49 PM	#19
Rossland Second Lieutenant 6 Rep 297 Posts Drives: US 06 330xi Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Ontario iTrader: (0)	I love my AWD, But has BMWCA never heard of giving the customer a choice? Then they will be complaining about all the Canadians buying cars in the US.
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09-23-2010, 10:44 PM	#21
BRAISKI Colonel 140 Rep 2,517 Posts Drives: '11 335xi e92 M-Pak Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: GTA/KW, Canada iTrader: (3) Garage List 2011 BMW 335xi [7.00]	Unfair advantage... __________________ My 2011 ED @ BMW Welt, one of the best days of my life! Full front PPF!
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09-26-2010, 12:41 AM	#22
hubble bubble Captain 17 Rep 680 Posts Drives: 2008 335i Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Calgary, AB, Canada iTrader: (0)	I read this post, an e-mailed BMW to complain. The response I got back claimed Mr Jung has misspoken. BMW Canada's "official" version is that they will soon cease impoting RWD ONLY cars, but will continue to import RWD versions of cars that come either RWD or AWD. They gave a specific example of the 3 series being availabe in either AWD or RWD for the forseeable future. That sounds better than the article. Maybe my current 335i isn't my last BMW.
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