Weeks away from BMW’s first front-wheel drive vehicle

Back in February, we reported exclusively that BMW’s first front-wheel drive vehicle will make its debut this fall at the 2012 Paris Auto Show. First previewed in concept form, the BMW Compactive Sports Tourer will be the first of many front-wheel drive vehicles to come from BMW and will officially launch on the market in 2014.

The 1er FWD will be pit against similar offerings from Mercedes-Benz.

From a design point of view, the BMW Compactive Sport Tourer has a tall ride height in order to accommodate the interior packaging of this type of car. To retain BMW’s dynamic DNA, the car features a sloping roof with a large glasshouse. At the front, the CST features the classic design elements of a BMW: double headlights and a smaller but taller than usual kidney grille.

Rendering by AutoBild

The dynamic lines with convex and concave shapes are present on the CST as well with the single purpose of reminding that even a FWD BMW retains its athletic abilities.

The 1 Series Gran Turismo will be powered by three and four-cylinder turbo engines and will sport the new front-wheel drive platform architecture. A Hybrid and xDrive version will be offered as well. Similar powerplants will also be used in the next generation of MINI vehicles. One of them is the MINI Traveler.

The new small petrol engine shares its 500cc individual cylinder capacity and other key elements with BMW’s classic 3.0-litre straight six petrol unit. We will have a look at these new engines in just a few weeks.