BMW 1 series

[drftk1d]

sounds like the future of drifting to me. What do you think.

[Layla's Keeper]

Ehh, not too sure. I mean, yes it'll be FR and light, but we're not looking at BMW's old tail-happy Z-axle rear suspension. We're looking at their sophisticated multi-link scaled down.

That car is going to have a lot of grip, just like its 3 series big brother.

Now, a small coupe or roadster like the beasts being built on GM's new Kappa platform (Pontiac Solstice, concept Saturn Curve, concept Chevrolet Nomad) would probably do pretty well as a drift machine. I'd also think that an uprated Chrysler Crossfire might work. Not to mention all of the FR platforms preparing to debut or rapidly maturing, like Chrysler's Hemi sedans, GM's adoption of the CTS's platform, the Nissan FM platform, and Ford's DEW platform, there's going to be plenty of chances for new drift cars to be born.

[Suislide]

i bet it'll posses some qualities that will make it easily driftable, yes. but because of the fact that it's not Japanese, i bet it'll be oft overlooked.

[Bunta]

Aye, BMW is all about grip in their current passenger cars. Yet, they seem to think the best way to upset a nicely balanced chassis is to add 100HP with as instantaneous throttle response as possible.

Am I alone in thinking that 'drifting' as a 'sport' is coming on to America too fast? All our kids are going to think that unless your car can slide around, it can't handle well. It's going to cause countless accidents because the drift kings make it look too easy, the tire companies are loving it. I wonder what suspension mods are going to be sold with "drifting" pasted on them to attract buyers. I'm still suprised by how many Honda/VW drivers don't know to upgrade to a bigger rear swaybar.

On the plus side, we might be getting more cheap rear wheel drive cars. Oh for a reborn Nissan/Datsun 510. For auto manufacturers to bring back narrow roof pillars. For lightweight packages that delete AC, power accessories, sunroof, a few dozen airbags. DIE SUV'S!!! DIIIEEEEE!

[Soyo]

I'm not thinking the BMW will be very good at drifting, definately possible but like stated before, they are luxury cars and all about grip. it'll probably end up with too much electrical suspesion crap or somethign too.

[Layla's Keeper]

Well, the 1 series is intended to be only a notch above the Mini Cooper in BMW's marketing strategy.

Basically, picture an Acura RSX except it's a rear-wheel drive and a BMW.

[Bunta]

Originally Posted by Soyo

I'm not thinking the BMW will be very good at drifting, definately possible but like stated before, they are luxury cars and all about grip. it'll probably end up with too much electrical suspesion crap or somethign too.

BMW has been pretty good at keeping away from electrical suspension crap. Sure, they have traction control, but you can turn it off.

The "1" series (if that's it's name, is there going to be an M1 again?) will be the least expensive BMW out there. I don't think it will be laden with TOO much crap. Maybe there will be a motorsport edition like they had with the E36 3 series compact. All I want is that sweet twincam four to come back to the U.S. in 2.0 form. BMW is switching (whoopdie shit, I know) to a new badging system for their cars. The sedans are going to be even numbered and the coupes odd. So the 3 series will be the coupe, and the 430i will be the sedan. In that case, the four door sedan version of the "1" series will be the "2." I hope they make a lightweight version called the 2002.

[drftk1d]

I didnt have too much time to elaborate what i meant when i did post that. It seems to me that the 1 series could have potential as a good platform for drifting. Its rear drive, inexpensive and lightweight, and although bmw tuned tha chassis for grip there are still ways aroud that. The point that i was trying to make was that: in the Present day, there are not too many NEW cars that are inexpensive (meaning 22 gs and less) and easily driftable. The one seres looks like a good contender in this category.

On a side note, dont you think that Scion could build a new hachi? I mean, the company is looking to be hip and accessible, so why not give kids what they want? Toyota is developin a new rwd platform (obvious because of the new 'supra' replacement that was announced) so why not scale that down (ie smaller wheelbase, smaller engine, smaller car)
and use that as the new 'fun to drive car' that the segment needs. Afterall, there is only so much fun that you can have in a fwd