The latest print edition of Car Magazine features a story on BMW’s plans to build a 0-Series model based on the next generation MINI platform. The rumor – yes..still a rumor to us – is certainly not new, back in 2007, Forbes reported that a new BMW City vehicle will roll out in the future as a response to Audi’s A1 model.
The so-called “BMW 0-Series”, a naming convention that we find hard to believe it will ever see the daylight, will be based on the third-generation MINI platform, therefore, it will be a front-wheel drive car. Internally the project is refered as UKL1, short for Untere Kompactklasse, and is scheduled for a market release in 2013.
0-Series will slot between the new 1 Series and MINI, and will directly competing with aforementioned Audi A1 and Mercedes A-Class.
The “0-Series” will supposedly come in three different body styles: a three-door hatch, five-door hatch and a two-seat roadster. Power would come from brand new 3 and 4 cylinder engines, a measure of compliance with the latest fuel efficiency requirements.
To speculate even further, the magazine mentions that the BMW 0-series will likely be built at the MINI plant in Oxford, U.K.
We’re classifying this as a rumor at this point, but there were plenty of reports in the past suggesting a similar vehicle. We also know that BMW’s plans tend to change quite often and also, the 0 Series naming convention does not make sense from a marketing perspective.
[Source: Jalopnik ]
Author: Horatiu B.
Source: http://www.bmwblog.com/2009/10/07/rumor ... -platform/