Following confirmation from the German car maker in July that it would release 12 front-drive variants by 2020, English publication AutoExpress reports that a Z2 roadster will be among the first new models to utilise the brand's revolutionary UKL1 platform.
The Z2 will reportedly be released in 2017, around the same time as the replacement for the current 1-Series hatch. It will be considerably smaller than the existing Z4, with early estimates indicating an 1150kg kerb weight – about 200kg less than its stablemate.
There is speculation the Z2 will be offered with a three-cylinder engine, several four-cylinder engines and a range-topping 225kW Z2 M version with all-wheel drive capability.
In addition, BMW told Drive it is considering an X2 coupe-style SUV, similar to its existing X4 and X6 variants. It, too, would be available as a front-wheel drive in addition to all-wheel drive power.
The incoming front-drive range is headed by the 2 Series Active Tourer, which lands in Australia in November.
That model will be followed up by seven-seat version mid next year, followed by front-drive variants of the X1.
"We can count on total BMW Group sales up to 2020 will be around 40 per cent coming out of the small and compact segment, which means 40 per cent will be the UKL setup," BMW corporate and government affairs spokesman Kai Lichte said in July.
"We can have all kinds of front-wheel drive concepts, whether it's a hatch or a tourer. We're assessing [them all] but that doesn't mean we will do all of them."
Lichte told Drive at the time of the Active Tourer launch that BMW was wary of alienating buyers or diluting its brand.
"Definitely [front-wheel drive] will eventuate on the next X1, that's what we've already communicated," he said.
"It would also make sense on the next 1-Series because from our customers, we know that 1-Series customers are mainly not focussed on driving dynamics and they criticise that there's not enough space.
"It might be different to the 2-Series coupe because those customers are more related to driving dynamics
"It's almost safe to say that 1-Series will definitely be front-wheel drive."
Asked specifically about the 3-Series inheriting front-wheel drive, Lichte answered with an emphatic 'no.'
"We will stick to rear-wheel drive from the 3-Series onwards, that's for sure," he said.
"It's really hard to imagine having a 3-Series on a front-wheel drive platform. We don't see it for the next 10 years that's for sure."
Similarly, BMW will not be reverting to front-wheel drive on its performance models.
"Performance will still be related to rear-wheel drive," Lichte said in July. "For example there wouldn't be an M version or even an M performance version of a front-wheel drive. That will either be related to all-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive."
