We all know by now a small car is coming. Developed by the Project i and called, so far, the Megacity vehicle (which will not be badged as a BMW), the small car segment entry from BMW is not expected before 2012.
Yet, the Megacity vehicle is not quite a contender for the likes of Audi A1 and Mercedes A-Klasse. BMW would need a brand new vehicle to compete with the two rivals. Apparently, the name of that brand new car is the 0 Series, a line which will also be released in 2012.
Below, in the video attached to this piece, there's a presentation of BMW's China operations. In it, after some 19 seconds have passed, four photos, featured behind a BMW designer, are believed to represent the future 0 Series.
The info available so far is that, most likely, the car will be roughly the size of a Ford Fiesta and will use a front-wheel drive configuration. This type of configuration, not quite what you would expect from a rear-wheel drive oriented manufacturer, has already been confirmed by Norbert Reithofer, chairman of the board, this March.
"We are exploring the possibility of developing a joint architecture for the front and four-wheel drive systems of these cars. In other words: There will be front-wheel drive BMWs in the smaller vehicle classes in the future."
The 0 Series will be meant to connect the dots between the 1 Series and MINI, borrowing the platform from the next-gen MINI. According to rumors, the 0 Series will be offered both as a five- and three-door hatch.
As for engine, the car will likely rely on the technologies developed for the Megacity. Considered to be part of the Project i portfolio, the 0 Series will use electric, petrol and diesel powertrains.
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