Next BWW 2 Series Could Be Built In Mexico For America

And yes, it'll likely remain RWD.

The current generation BMW 2 Series still has a few years of life left in it, but there are active discussions taking place at this very moment regarding its successor. For starters, it appears it’ll retain its rear-wheel-drive architecture despite some earlier rumors saying it’ll switch to a front-wheel-drive setup. That’s obviously good news for purist BMW fans who view the 2 Series as the current spiritual successor to the likes of the old school 2002 and E30 3 Series.

But BMW Blog has learned from one of its Munich-based sources that the next-gen 2 Series will no longer be built in Europe for the US market but rather Mexico.

There just so happens to be a new production plant in San Potosi, Mexico that BMW is considering. This facility will also just so happen to build the all-new 3 Series. Like the new 3 Series, the next 2 Series will also ride on the CLAR flexible architecture. One of the main reasons BMW is probably considering Mexico instead of Europe is due to the ongoing trade war between the US and the EU. While the US, Mexico, and Canada recently renegotiated the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), no such equivalent has happened yet regarding Europe.

Because production planning requires a few years advanced notice and for the necessary tooling, BMW simply can’t afford to wait on this one. Production is currently scheduled to get underway in mid-2021. As far as we know, there probably won’t be another 2 Series convertible due to slow sales.

Interestingly, the 2 Series Gran Coupe will likely launch in late 2019 as a 2020 model, meaning it’ll overlap with the next generation coupe. However, it’ll be FWD and not RWD. Why’s that? It’ll compete directly with the also FWD Mercedes-Benz CLA and Audi A3 sedan. All-wheel drive will certainly be optional.

Will There Be Something To Rival The Volkswagen T-Roc R In America?

BMW? Volvo? Here’s your opportunity.

Think of the Volkswagen Golf. Great car. Think of the Golf R. Awesome hot hatch. Now imagine what the Golf R would look and possibly drive like as a compact crossover? The VW T-Roc R is likely that very vehicle. As we already know, the T-Roc is not sold in the US and more than likely never will be. That’s kind of a shame because we’ve seen the T-Roc in the flesh at European car shows and it’s a great-looking vehicle. It’s even built on the same MQB platform as the current and next Golf. But for whatever reason(s), VW has opted to keep the T-Roc and the upcoming performance version from reaching America’s shores.

Our spy photographers recently snapped several images of what’s clearly a nearly ready to go T-Roc R prototype getting some exercise at the Nurburgring.

This hot compact crossover is expected to come powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with just over 300 hp. The Golf R, by comparison, has 292 hp. We also figure the T-Roc’s power will be distributed to all four wheels through a dual-clutch transmission. Sounds pretty good, right? Too bad we can’t have one, but there are some alluring potential alternatives.

Just off the top of our heads, there’s the BMW X1, specifically the X1 M Sport. Any BMW dealership in the US will be more than happy to sell you one. It also features a turbocharged 2.0-liter turbo four, though it produces 228 hp. It’s also pretty expensive, ringing up at least $40,000. Not in the market for something German?

There’s also the Volvo XC40. Like the VW and BMW, it’s also powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four, though output is rated 248 hp. If BMW and Volvo were to offer an X1 M and XC40 with Polestar assistance, then there’d be little craving for the T-Roc R. The downside, of course, would be the premium price tags. We honestly wouldn’t be surprised if the hot compact crossover segment became a thing in the near future, given the already massive popularity of crossovers in general in both America and Europe.

Is This The End Of European-Built Luxury Convertibles In America?

One word: tariffs.

There’s a certain irony to what you’re about to read. Before he was President of the United States, Donald Trump owned European luxury cars. Now that he’s the man in charge, he wants to slap a 20 percent tariff on vehicles imported from and assembled in the EU. Nothing is final just yet, but if those tariffs are imposed, certain niche vehicles simply won’t survive, Reuters reports. “The tariffs, if they materialize, would call into question the business case for many niche models we currently sell in the United States,” said a senior executive at one carmaker.

“Convertibles are a particular headache. With Brexit and US tariffs, this market could shrink further.” One potential way to save convertibles is for automakers to forge alliances to share production costs, exactly what BMW and Toyota did for the upcoming new Z4 and reborn Supra. Unfortunately, China is of no help if US-imposed tariffs happen. High pollution and a scorching hot sun are the worst conditions for convertibles, hence the reason nobody in Asia buys them. Europe, especially once Brexit goes into full effect and even more tariffs are created, can’t sustain the luxury convertible market on its own.

But why not simply have those German automakers, specifically BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, begin building convertibles in the US where all three already have major production facilities? The problem with those facilities is that they were designed from the get-go to mass produce high-volume vehicles, such as the Volkswagen Passat. Retooling them to include low-volume convertible production makes no sense, financially and practically speaking. If Trump gets his way with those tariffs, convertibles like the Audi S5 Cabrio, BMW 4 Series Convertible, and Mercedes-Benz SL Roadster will almost immediately become poor business cases, and that will be that.

2019 BMW 3 Series Won’t Offer A Manual Transmission In America

Will this also apply to the next M3?

BMW has officially confirmed to us at this year’s Paris Motor Show that its all-new 2019 3 Series will not offer a manual transmission in North America. The sole gearbox will be the eight-speed sport automatic for both the entry-level 330i and the high performance-focused M340i.

“The US market 3 Series will only come with the automatic,” 3 Series project leader Thomas Baeumer told us. “Both the 330i and M340i will be automatic-only.”

This doesn’t mean, however, that the next M3, at least a year away from its own debut, won’t give customers the option of rowing their own gears. So what made BMW decide on a single gearbox?

“The eight-speed provides the best overall driving experience,” Baeumer added. Europe, however, is a different story. While the 330i is the base model in the US, there will be a new 318i for Europe which BMW tells us will have a manual option. This is also the first time in the history of the 3 Series in America that a stick-shift will not be offered.

Fortunately, the lack of a manual should not be any reason to deter buyers. Quite the opposite, in fact. Stephan Horn, head of 3 Series product management, told us the new car is far more stable overall. For example, the rear suspension has “additional damping forces that helps passengers who are susceptible to motion sickness to suffer far less from an uncomfortable drive.”

Another area of notable improvement is the electronic steering. “The goal was quite clear to have more steering feedback. More real contact from the driver to the road. This is with the more direct steering and the front and rear axle were optimized as well. The front axle is sharper and is more for handling and agility and giving you more of a mechanical feedback at the steering wheel.”

But the lack of a manual transmission does not in any way detract from the way the new 3 Series handles. “Driving dynamics comes mostly from America, specifically steering feel. Additional factors include braking, wind noise, and everything was really addressed and is now at a different level,” Horn said.

For those who miss BMW’s famed but now discontinued hydraulic steering, Horn and his team is confident they won’t be disappointed with the new electronic system. “It’s really at a different level than before. We’re very satisfied with the outcome.” For a vehicle as important as the 3 Series, BMW was fully aware it had to get everything right. In fact, Horn told us he began work on the G20 3 Series back in 2012 – just one year after the outgoing F30 generation debuted.

Next BWW 2 Series Could Be Built In Mexico For America

And yes, it'll likely remain RWD.

The current generation BMW 2 Series still has a few years of life left in it, but there are active discussions taking place at this very moment regarding its successor. For starters, it appears it’ll retain its rear-wheel-drive architecture despite some earlier rumors saying it’ll switch to a front-wheel-drive setup. That’s obviously good news for purist BMW fans who view the 2 Series as the current spiritual successor to the likes of the old school 2002 and E30 3 Series.

But BMW Blog has learned from one of its Munich-based sources that the next-gen 2 Series will no longer be built in Europe for the US market but rather Mexico.

There just so happens to be a new production plant in San Potosi, Mexico that BMW is considering. This facility will also just so happen to build the all-new 3 Series. Like the new 3 Series, the next 2 Series will also ride on the CLAR flexible architecture. One of the main reasons BMW is probably considering Mexico instead of Europe is due to the ongoing trade war between the US and the EU. While the US, Mexico, and Canada recently renegotiated the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), no such equivalent has happened yet regarding Europe.

Because production planning requires a few years advanced notice and for the necessary tooling, BMW simply can’t afford to wait on this one. Production is currently scheduled to get underway in mid-2021. As far as we know, there probably won’t be another 2 Series convertible due to slow sales.

Interestingly, the 2 Series Gran Coupe will likely launch in late 2019 as a 2020 model, meaning it’ll overlap with the next generation coupe. However, it’ll be FWD and not RWD. Why’s that? It’ll compete directly with the also FWD Mercedes-Benz CLA and Audi A3 sedan. All-wheel drive will certainly be optional.

Here Are The Possible New Audi A1 Variants America Will Never Get

That's because the new A1 itself isn't coming to the U.S.

Last week the world saw the debut of the new, second generation Audi A1 hatchback. Unfortunately, only part of the world will actually get the chance to buy one. North America is not included. Never had been for the A1, which is kind of a shame. And chances are, based on current sales trends, Audi has no immediate plans to bring its latest A1 to the U.S. As with the previous A1 generation, Audi will surely begin offering several variants in both the performance and convenience realms.

Noted automotive rendering artist X-Tomi Design once again applied some imagination with past precedent, and create the rendered A1 images shown here. Based on the second gen A1, we’re looking at what the potential RS 1, Clubsport Quattro, A1 Allroad Four, and Avant wagon. Honestly, they all look good and all are real possibilities. We’re especially taken with the Clubsport Quattro, considering how awesome (not to mention rare with just 333 examples made) the rendering turned out. We also wouldn’t be surprised to see Audi fully electrify its new A1 at some point in the near future.

At launch, the new A1 will be offered with a range of engines, including a three-cylinder with only 94 hp, to a 1.4-liter four pot with a far more impressive 200 hp. A six-speed manual will also be available for less powerful versions, but a dual-clutch will the sole transmission for the performance-focused models. We’re also quite taken with the new A1’s stylish and premium interior. Yeah, it’s a shame America is missing out on this one.

Next BWW 2 Series Could Be Built In Mexico For America

And yes, it'll likely remain RWD.

The current generation BMW 2 Series still has a few years of life left in it, but there are active discussions taking place at this very moment regarding its successor. For starters, it appears it’ll retain its rear-wheel-drive architecture despite some earlier rumors saying it’ll switch to a front-wheel-drive setup. That’s obviously good news for purist BMW fans who view the 2 Series as the current spiritual successor to the likes of the old school 2002 and E30 3 Series.

But BMW Blog has learned from one of its Munich-based sources that the next-gen 2 Series will no longer be built in Europe for the US market but rather Mexico.

There just so happens to be a new production plant in San Potosi, Mexico that BMW is considering. This facility will also just so happen to build the all-new 3 Series. Like the new 3 Series, the next 2 Series will also ride on the CLAR flexible architecture. One of the main reasons BMW is probably considering Mexico instead of Europe is due to the ongoing trade war between the US and the EU. While the US, Mexico, and Canada recently renegotiated the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), no such equivalent has happened yet regarding Europe.

Because production planning requires a few years advanced notice and for the necessary tooling, BMW simply can’t afford to wait on this one. Production is currently scheduled to get underway in mid-2021. As far as we know, there probably won’t be another 2 Series convertible due to slow sales.

Interestingly, the 2 Series Gran Coupe will likely launch in late 2019 as a 2020 model, meaning it’ll overlap with the next generation coupe. However, it’ll be FWD and not RWD. Why’s that? It’ll compete directly with the also FWD Mercedes-Benz CLA and Audi A3 sedan. All-wheel drive will certainly be optional.