BMW is planning to introduce its 5 Series ActiveHybrid next year and deliver a 3 Series hybrid after that. BMW chief Norbert Reithofer told company shareholders yesterday in Munich that, “As early as next year, the new BMW 5-series will also be available as a full hybrid. And we are anticipating the hybridisation of further models series, such as the BMW 3-series.”

The 5 Series ActiveHybrid isn’t likely to change much from the concept, which debuted at the Geneva Auto Show earlier this year. The concept is powered by a 300-hp inline-six mated to a twin-scroll turbocharger – the same unit found in the 535i. This is then combined with a powerful 40kW electric motor (the motor in the 7 Series hybrid is just 15 kW) enabling this version to operate as a full two-mode hybrid. As a result, the Concept 5 Series ActiveHybrid can operate on electric power, gasoline power or a combination of both. The transmission used is an eight-speed automatic.

Currently BMW offers both the X6 and 7 Series hybrids for sale in North America, although the U.S. market is not the main reason for the increased focus on hybrids. According to Reithofer, market pressure in Japan has led to the decision to increase hybrid production.  “Sales of hybrid vehicles [in Japan] have skyrocketed,” he said. “If you don’t have a hybrid in your portfolio, soon you might not be selling any cars in Japan at all.”

[Source: AutoCar]

They don’t call BMW the “ultimate driving machine” for nothing. Or do they? According to a new statistic released by BMW, the company’s rear-drive performance philosophy might not be all that important to buyers. Or at least buyers of the entry-level 1 Series.

In a recent conference call, BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer said that 80 percent of 1 Series drivers think their car is front-wheel drive.

While this statistic certainly says something about 1 Series buyers, Reithofer was using it to show how BMW believes its customers will accept front-drive models. Currently BMW does not offer any front-drive models (although BMW’s MINI brand does), but BMW is planning to introduce a front drive vehicle to its lineup in the near future. This new platform would be shared with the next-generation MINI Cooper and would be used by BMW to compete with the recently released Audi A1 – itself a front-driver.

Traditionalists might scoff at the notion of a “wrong-wheel drive” BMW, but considering the incredible handling BMW has managed to deliver in its MINI models, we’re pretty sure the German automaker will keep its tag-line.

[Source: Automotive News via WCF]

So far we have heard several reports of a new front-drive model from BMW, but now comes confirmation from BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer. “There will be front-wheel-drive BMWs in the smaller vehicle classes in the future,” said Reithofer during a press conference about the German automaker’s finances.

The architecture will actually be both front-drive and AWD capable and will be used for a new lineup of BMW and MINI cars – meaning MINIs are also set to get AWD. Currently all BMW models are rear-wheel or all-wheel drive.

According to Automotive News, the new platform will arrive in 2013 with the third generation of the new MINI hatch. Up to 20 different BMW and MINI models are set to ride on this new architecture.

[Source: Automotive News]

BMW will produce a new front-drive model that will slot in underneath the 1 Series in the company’s lineup. According to a report by AutoCar, the news comes direct from BMW chairman Norbert Reithofe.

This new BMW will share its architecture with a the next generation MINI Cooper and will be separate from the upcoming Mega City car. Reithofer commented that both front and all-wheel drive versions of the architecture will be available. In addition, the same architecture could be adapted to rear-wheel drive and used for the next 1 Series as well. This is a bit of a long shot, but the whole idea behind the shared BMW/MINI platform is to reduce production costs by sharing parts across brands.

Reithofer also confirmed that BMW is working on a competitor to the Audi A1, which was just unveiled at the Geneva Auto Show, although it is not clear if this new front-drive BMW will be that car’s direct competitor as the MINI Cooper seems to already have that market tied down.

The new “0 Series” could hit the market as early as 2013, with the third-generation new MINI Cooper due out a year later.

[Source: AutoCar]

BMW will bring a small electric vehicle to market in the United States by 2012 according to BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer. The car will be a small (very-small) three door, four-seater hatchback. In fact, it’s so tiny that it will not only fit under the 1 Series and the MINI Cooper, it will slot in under sub-compact cars as one of the very few mini cars on U.S. roads.

Reithofer did not say if this is the vehicle that will bring back the Isetta name. In fact, it may not even use the BMW brand name, or the MINI one. Regardless, the design of the BMW City EV will be much more appealing than the Isetta with a coupe-like profile and typically-BMW short overhangs.

The upcoming BMW EV City is the first of several vehicles to come from BMW’s Project i. It will use a lithium-ion battery pack with a range of 100 miles. Gas and diesel versions will also be produced but likely for sale in developing economies, like China and India.

[Source: LeftLaneNews]

[Photo Credit: Deus ex Machine]