Unbelievable but true: according to a study commissioned by BMW 80 percent from the drivers of the BMW 1 Series does not know that they are the only vehicle moving with the compact rear-wheel drive. The study was carried out apparently with a view to the upcoming introduction of a model with front-wheel drive on the basis of the next generation MINI in 2014 and is expected by many readers of this page provide incredulity.
While many people just buy because of the stern drive a BMW, view this as a significant advantage over front-wheel drive models of competitors and are very difficult to make friends with the idea of a front-wheel drive, this factor for the mass of the 1 Series clientele were obviously completely irrelevant in the purchasing . Otherwise you should never accept at least that they would still remember the built-drive concept.
Dr. Norbert Reithofer told journalists also had to admit that the result for BMW with some surprise was noted and also the colleagues from Automotive News Europe feel compelled to assure that it is the message is not a early April Fool's joke.
In some ways, but the study confirmed an impression that one has when looking at the sales of some manufacturers for a long time: Uncanny many customers is the technique of their vehicles completely indifferent, at least when buying a car in the smaller vehicles such factors as design and thus play a much more Image more important than the work of engineers.
It is quite understandable that not every customer with the principle of the rear suspension of several deals on vehicles or at least not feel competent to make an informed assessment of the various advantages and disadvantages of the systems. But not even the basic question of the driven wheels, which always plays well in an engaged drive an important role, can be answered, but shocked. On the other hand, it emphasizes, however, is how high the proportion of technically uninterested customers.
Obviously, some people wonder, therefore, seriously, if the first strong acceleration with the new car suddenly forward and not backwards squeaks over the other implications of different propulsion systems to make themselves seem only right to worry.
While BMW has invested in the launch of the 1 Series a lot to market the unique feature rear-wheel drive and is also mentioned in the catalog for the BMW 1 Series in several places on the source of driving pleasure, this information appears to go past a majority of the clientele. We would be interested at this point whether the proportion of "ignorant" in the higher vehicle or even in sports cars and roadsters is similar to, or whether at least some discussion taking place here with the subject of propulsion and vehicle dynamics.
With regard to the upcoming front-wheel drive, the 2014 study, BMW is certainly right, because the question of whether front or rear wheel drive installed, it seems mainly to be of interest to enthusiasts, while the bulk of the clientele at least in the compact car barely perceive.